Jim Norton will bring his brand of self-depreciating humor to the Mauch Chunk Opera House, located on West Broadway in Jim Thorpe, for two shows tonight.

Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, Norton entered rehab at age 17, dropped out of high school the next year, and signed up for open-mic nights at age 21. A career boost came in the late 1990s, when he opened for comedian Andrew Dice Clay on tour.

Norton, heard mornings on SiriusXM Satellite Radio’s “The Jim Norton & Sam Roberts Show,” has co-hosted UFC podcast “Unfiltered with Jim Norton & Matt Serra” since 2016. Other radio and podcast credits include “Opie and Anthony” and “The Chip Chipperson Podacast.”

The standup comedian, residing in New York City, has appeared on numerous television programs and starred in multiple comedy specials, including 2017’s “Mouthful of Shame” on Netflix.

In addition, Norton, whose writing endeavors include two books and published opinion pieces for Time magazine, has appeared in films such as 2008’s “Courting Condi” and 2019’s “The Irishman.”

Prior to his performances - set for 7 and 10 p.m. - in Jim Thorpe, Norton took time to discuss his career, memorable moments and future plans.

Show information is available at mcohjt.com.

Q:

Did your interest in comedy stem from comedy albums your mother brought home? Did you have to sneak in listens?

A:

My interest in comedy started when I was much younger and found it was the way to get girls to notice me. I associated being funny with getting the girl. I was sadly mistaken.

The albums my mom brought home helped me see how I could translate being funny into a thing that could be done in front of strangers. The first album I had to “sneak-listen” to was Robin Williams’ “Reality … What a Concept.”

Q:

You’ve named Woody Allen, Robert Klein, George Carlin and Richard Pryor as influences. What did you learn from them?

A:

They all have things I love: Allen’s perfect joke structure and writing; Klein’s casual, almost-throwaway delivery; Carlin’s evisceration of culture; and Pryor’s intensely personal approach. Also, Joan Rivers’ self-deprecation, which was hilarious and more personal than other people’s self-deprecating jokes.

Q:

Your first stand-up show in 1990 was, in your words, “awful.” What did you learn from the experience?

A:

I learned that making my friends laugh was a lot easier than convincing strangers I was worth listening to. It took me years to get any level of comfort on the stage and even longer to be comfortable saying what I really wanted to say.

Q:

You’ve openly discussed your addiction issues. How has that impacted your comedy?

A:

I think talking about them very openly helps people relate to me. I am completely flawed and comfortable making fun of it, so I hope it helps people to realize that no matter how much of an (expletive) they are, they’re not unique.

Q:

A career breakthrough came when Andrew Dice Clay took you on as his opening act in the late 1990s. What was that experience like?

A:

Like walking into a lion cage with hamburger meat smeared on your groin. I had to be very aggressive and think on my feet to survive in front of those audiences. It was an invaluable experience. Touring with Dice was some of the best times I’ve had in my career, and I’m grateful that he took me, and even in the moment, I loved and appreciated it.

Q:

What interested you in acting, and do you have a favorite project?

A:

Acting is something I like, but don’t love. I like being on stage or on radio, where I can address it if I’m bombing or stinking up the joint. Doing “The Irishman” was amazing, but DeNiro spanking my (expletive) in “Mouthful of Shame” is my favorite memory.

Q:

How did you get involved in radio and podcasts, and how do those media compare to stand-up?

A:

Dice brought me into “Opie & Anthony” and they took a liking to me. After Lewis Black and I spent the night in jail due to a radio stunt, they gave me carte blanche to come in any time.

Radio is easier because you can meander a bit and not feel like an audience is staring at you getting impatient. But stand-up is easier to judge how you’re doing. If I suck on stage, I know it immediately.

Q:

At this year’s Oscars ceremony, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock following the latter’s off-color remark about Smith’s wife. Do you feel no subject is off-limits to comedians?

A:

Any subject is fair game, without exception. There is no limit on subjects that actors, authors and musicians can use in their work, and there is no limit for comedians, either.

Q:

Do you have any new projects in the works for the near future?

A:

Just doing stand-up, and I plan on shooting a special this year. I would also like to have my side blubber CoolSculpted off. I look reprehensible nude.

Q:

What do you see as your legacy up to now, and what would you like to accomplish?

A:

I don’t think I have a legacy, just 32 years of incrementally improving d--- jokes. What I’d love to accomplish is to shoot a stand-up special that everyone watches. Everyone watching agrees with me and immediately deletes their Twitter accounts and shuts the (expletive) up for the rest of their lives.