Bobby Henline
| Bobby Henline | |
|---|---|
blue comedy | |
| Subject(s) | Military, everyday life, self-deprecation |
| Spouse | Jamie Neely Henline |
| Children | 4 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Website | welldonecomedian |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1989-1992, 2001–2011 |
| Rank | SSG |
| Battles/wars | Gulf War Iraq War (WIA) |
| Awards | Purple Heart |
Robert "Bobby" Henline (born September 3, 1971) is an American stand-up comedian, motivational speaker, and former
Comedy Store
in Los Angeles. He has since gone on to perform comedy and give motivational talks internationally, and has featured in several movies and documentaries.
Career
Military career
Henline enlisted in the
United States Army in 1989 at 17 years of age. After completing basic training he served in the Gulf War and was Honorably Discharged from service in 1992. Following the September 11 attacks of 2001, Henline re-enlisted into the Army and served 3 tours during the Iraq War. On his 3rd tour he was part of the 82nd Airborne Division and during a convoy transporting soldiers and supplies the Humvee Henline was riding in hit an IED.[1] The four other soldiers he was riding with were all killed and Henline was set ablaze in the explosion. He suffered severe burns over 40 percent of his body with his head and face being burned down to the skull. Henline was put into a medically induced coma and transported to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.[2] He awakened after two weeks, and underwent six months of treatment. Currently, Henline has undergone 48 surgeries including multiple skin grafts and reconstructions.[3]
Comedy career
While hospitalized Henline would often use humor as a means of dealing with his extraordinary circumstances. As his treatment was ending, his occupational therapist suggested that he attend an open mic at the Comedy Store.Hollywood Improv and Laugh Factory.[5]
Motivational speaking
After his recovery Henline started traveling and speaking to a wide range of audiences, especially injured veterans and burn victims. He helped found the Bravo748 Military and Law Enforcement Speakers Bureau[6] and travels around the world with them to do speaking engagements. Henline started the
charity organization Forging Forward, The Bobby Henline Foundation
with the goal of helping military personnel and first-responders and their families deal with the injuries and traumas that can occur in that work.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Samsara | Himself | Documentary |
| 2013 | Comedy Warriors: Healing Through Humor | Himself | Documentary |
| Captivating Not Captive | Self | Short | |
| 2016 | Sophie and the Rising Sun | John Jeffers | Drama |
| 2017 | Surviving Home | Himself | |
| 2019 | MBF: Man's Best Friend | Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Harold Reeves | As Robert Henline |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Shameless | Pyro Paulie | Episode: "Sleepwalking" |
| 2019 | Larry Charles' Dangerous World of Comedy | Himself | Episode: "Part 2: War - The Soldiers" |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | VFW Hall of Fame Awards |
References
- ^ "Former NCO burned in IED blast wants to open restaurant, empower veterans".
- ^ "From the Battlefield to the Comedy Stage: Healing Bobby Henline".
- ^ "Military veteran receives mortgage-free home". May 2, 2018.
- ^ "Former NCO burned in IED blast wants to open restaurant, empower veterans".
- ^ "Bobby Henline – Adapt a Vet".
- ^ "BPR Interviews: Bobby Henline". January 28, 2020.
- ^ "Don't Miss the VFW Live from New Orleans". Entertainment Weekly. July 6, 2017. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
External links
Wikiquote has quotations related to Bobby Henline.
- Bobby Henline at IMDb