Emmy-nominated actor, comic Rob Schneider brings standup to Cedar Rapids

Comedians and actors aren't often who they portray on screen.

Gilbert Gottfried's persona was of a loud, obnoxious, cocksure, wiseguy. Offstage, the late and lamented Gottfried was a sweet, soft-spoken and at times, awkward but devoted married father of two children.

Jeff Daniels is perhaps best known as the better half of the dim-witted "Dumb and Dumber" film franchise. However, Daniels is an intelligent, dedicated actor, who vacillates between Hollywood and running a theater company in his native Michigan.

Rob Schneider is best known for his antics as the goofball in such Adam Sandler movies as "The Waterboy," "Grown Ups" and "Hubie Halloween."

Schneider, 61, has delivered the line "You can do it!“ as a running gag in such Sandler films as "Little Nicky," ”50 First Dates,“ ”The Longest Yard" and “Bedtime Stories."'

However, Schneider — who will perform Thursday, April 17 at the Paramount Theatre — isn't a thoughtless wiseguy. The environmentally conscious performer is hardly like some of the egocentric characters he has played on screen.

"Sometimes people forget that I'm just performing when I'm in a movie," Schneider said. "I'm totally different than most of the characters I've played. I'm acting in movies. While in stand-up, you're getting a slice of me."

Unlike most of the characters he's played, Schneider has deep thoughts on such hot topics as prescription drugs.

"Isn't it interesting how overly medicated senior citizens are," Schneider said while calling from Los Angeles. "Forget about getting kids off drugs. How about getting seniors off drugs? When my dad died, he was on 10 different medications. I think the drugs are what make older people cranky."

Schneider admits that it bugs him that he's been slammed by a number of critics. "Not everybody has a sense of humor, even though they think they do," Schneider explained. "Some people might think that some of the things I've done aren't funny, but some people lack a sense of humor. It's just like not everyone is a good cook."

Schneider is known for his work in film and television, but the humorist started as a stand-up. Schneider returned to his roots as a comic a decade ago.

"Getting up there and doing my material was always my first passion," Schneider said. "I love it. It's just that I've always been so busy with acting. I'm not complaining. I've been very fortunate to have had so many opportunities."

Schneider broke courtesy of his early '90s run on "Saturday Night Live." Sandler starred in a pair of "Deuce Bigalow" films, and whenever the aforementioned Sandler hits the screen, Schneider comes along for the ride.

"The projects I've been on with Adam have been amazing," Schneider said. "The 'Grown Ups' movies and 'The Waterboy' and so many others have been so much fun to be part of. It's great having friends, and it's amazing to have as many opportunities as I've had in front of the camera."

Schneider has carved out an enviable career. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Schneider the 44th greatest performer in Saturday Night Live history in 2015, thanks to such memorable characters as "The Richmeister" and "The Sensitive Naked Man." That's impressive considering the long list of "Not Ready for Prime Time Players."

"I never dreamed things would go the way they did for me," Schneider said. "’Saturday Night Live' was an amazing experience. I look back on so many other cool experiences."

Schneider earned notice for his work on "Seinfeld," "Coach" and "Hot in Cleveland." And then there was his appearance on "The Masked Singer" as the wild card contestant, "Hamster," in 2021.

"It's been an amazing career and it continues," Schneider said.