Raleigh Comedian Pete Smack Releases 'Last Man Standing' After 53rd Birthday
The former investment banker and tech executive self-produced his first hour-long special, which debuted in September after he began performing stand-up in 2022.
By Sarah Reynolds ·
Pete McEntegart, known professionally as Pete Smack, released his first hour-long stand-up special, Last Man Standing, on Sept. 22. The film is now available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming platforms. McEntegart, 53, produced the project himself after deciding to pursue comedy as a career two and a half years ago.
McEntegart began performing stand-up in December 2022. He had attempted an open mic in New York in 1997, but the event was canceled due to low attendance, resulting in a private performance for his two roommates using a ping-pong paddle as a microphone. He returned to the stage on a run on Christmas Day 2022. Within seven to eight months of starting, he decided to transition his professional focus to comedy.
Before this career shift, McEntegart held five other primary jobs. He worked as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs, a sportswriter for Sports Illustrated, a comedy writer for television and film, the co-founder and COO of a tech startup, and the founding editor of the tech publication GrepBeat in the Triangle region.
He chose to self-produce Last Man Standing because he did not receive external offers to finance the project. He rented a theater in Raleigh and hired a videographer to record the performance. After editing the footage, he distributed it to distributors, and Comedy Dynamics acquired the rights.
The title of the special references two aspects of McEntegart's life. Literally, he participates in "last man standing" running events, where the race continues until only one participant remains. Figuratively, he moved to the Triangle area in 2018 when both his parents and all three of his siblings lived in the region. His father died approximately two years ago, and his siblings have since relocated, leaving McEntegart and his mother in Raleigh.
The special addresses themes of aging, death, and the mundane absurdities of life. McEntegart cites a specific incident following his father's death, where the family attempted to update the deceased's cell phone bill. The provider required a copy of the death certificate, prompting his mother to ask McEntegart to call AT&T and impersonate his father.
McEntegart moved to Raleigh in 2018. He notes that the local comedy scene provides a sense of community that counteracts the isolation of performing solo on a stage. He states that sharing experiences with other comedians is essential to the work.
The special was filmed at Theatre Raleigh. McEntegart describes finding his name and face on streaming platforms and music services as a peak moment. He intends to continue performing indefinitely, citing the longevity of the craft compared to his previous corporate and editorial roles.
