Ed Burroughs has spent most of his life interested in comedy. He finally got the opportunity to give it a try this past March and he has been hooked ever since.

“I finally got on stage in March, because a bunch of people told me I should do it,” the 25-year-old said.

Burroughs is a native of Marshalltown and a 2006 West Marshall High School graduate now living in Liscomb. He said he was always the class clown and idolized the comedian George Carlin as a teen.

Burroughs will be featured during a comedy show Saturday night at Jax Steakhouse. After doings dozens of open mic nights at comedy clubs in Des Moines, Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, he is looking forward to a show in his hometown with his name on the billing.

“It’s like a dream come true,” Burroughs said.

Burroughs almost didn’t make it to see his first time on stage. As a 16-year-old, he fell asleep while driving to school and drove off the road. The accident left him paralyzed from the chest down and he gets around in a wheelchair.

He said being in a wheelchair makes him stick out in the world of comedy and he’ll often incorporate it into his routine.

“I actually use it a lot,” Burroughs said. “It’s obviously different. A guy doing stand up comedy from a wheelchair. That in and of itself is kind of funny.”

Burroughs said after surviving his accident he wants to make something of himself and comedy might be his way to that goal.

“I want to see where it takes me,” he said.

The headlining act Saturday will be Tom Garland, of Cedar Rapids, who has performed across the country and recently on the Las Vegas Strip. Garland has served as a comedic mentor to Burroughs after meeting him at an open mic show in Des Moines.

“I think he’s really funny,” Garland said of Burroughs. “He’s just starting out, but I think he’s really talented.”

Doors open at 8 p.m. Saturday with the show starting at 9 p.m. at Jax. Admission charge is $15 and the show is for ages 18 and over. Burroughs said if this show Saturday works out he would love to continue to offer comedy locally.