"Mean Mike" Veron (a.k.a. "The Corsican Wizard") was the undisputed King of Central Coast California Comedy from 1980 through the mid-'90s when cancer claimed his life at the far-too-early age of 52. Those of us who knew Mike were impressed by his endless energy, enthusiasm and joy of life. Seven years after his untimely death, a group of Mike's friends and fans have come together to create this web site as a tribute to a man who gave so much to so many over the years. We don't want people to forget "Mean Mike" and all he did to make us laugh, and all he did to bring first-class comedy to the Central Coast of California.

Originally from Belmar, N.J., Mike first arrived in San Luis Obispo, California in 1971 to attend Cal Poly and married Barbara Saris in 1973. After graduating from Cal Poly in 1974, Mike pursued his M.A. degree in education and was eventually licensed as an MFCC counselor. During the late '70s, Mike also took up long distance running and he and Barbara ran coast-to-coast in 50 days from Morro Bay, California to Belmar, N.J. in 1978.

Mike was hired to work as a psychiatric technician at Atascadero State Hospital in 1979 and it was around this same time that comedy first called. Mike created his first character, "The Corsican Wizard" and soon appeared in comedy showcases from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Soon thereafter, he introduced his most famous character "Mean Mike," a tough-guy persona, complete with leather vest and whip. "Mean Mike" shared the stage with comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Zany, and British comedian Nick Lewin. appearing at a variety of California venues, including the Hungry I, the Icehouse, the Punchline, and the Comedy Store.

In San Luis Obispo County, Mike became the primary promoter of the local stand-up comedy scene during the '80s, booking shows at a variety of venues, including the Monday Club, Joshua's, The Dark Room and Randolph's. Mike was passionate about his comedy and would always give a break to an up-and-coming comic. In 1988, he was a finalist in the first and only "Funniest Person in San Luis Obispo Comedy Contest," sponsored by KSLY-FM. His reference to rotund Bay Area Chinese-American comic Al Ball as "that Great Ball of China" made legendary newspaper columnist Herb Caen laugh so hard that he put it in his San Francisco Chronicle column.

Mike would do anything for a laugh. For two years, he appeared on stage with a monkey tail hanging out of his pants. He also dressed up elaborately as "The Godfather" and delivered dead fish wrapped in a newspaper to people for $50, sort of a Mafia singing telegram.

In 1987, Mike published his one and only book, "The Comedy Mafia," a book he called "His Number One Bestseller." He also dabbled in screenplays and wrote a sports biography of USC'S Anthony Davis.

After being diagnosed with cancer, Mike took early retirement from the state hospital and moved to La Paz, Mexico. He quickly mastered Spanish and soon began appearing as a "comico" at La Paz nightclubs. He returned to the Central Coast in the fall of 1997 and died in Nipomo, California in January of 1998.

Mike's goal in life was always to be on the "Tonight" show with Johnny Carson. His career was cut short before that could ever happen, but we know that "Mean Mike" and Johnny are together somewhere now and we know that Johnny is laughing just as hard as we did for our pal, the one and only "Mean Mike" Veron.

Thanks for the laughs, Mike! Thanks for the memories!

"Mean Mike" Veron
Comedian - Author - Comedy Writer
Jan. 28, 1945 - Jan. 17, 1998