Lucky for Mark Curry he was a funny kid.

“Making guys laugh in the ‘hood saved me from being beaten up,” said Curry, who will appear at the Liacouras Center in the Royal Comedy Show on Feb. 18.

“When you’re raised where I was in Oakland (Calif.) you have to do something to stand out or else,” he said. “Big dudes were always bothering me, but when I could make them laugh they’d let me go. It was a wonderful gift to have. It just took some time to get the pacing down right.”

But once he did that, Curry was well on his way to a stunning career, becoming a familiar face on television as the host of the syndicated program “Showtime at the Apollo.” After honing his comedic skills in nightclubs across the country, he went on to become one of America’s favorite actors on television in the television series “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper,” where he played the lead role of Mark Cooper, a former NBA player-turned-substitute teacher/gym coach.

Later he appear in two episodes of “The Jamie Foxx Show,” guest starred on “Living Single” and “Martin," and taking roles in films such as “Switchback” and “Armageddon.”

He also had a recurring role on “The Drew Carey Show,” hosted Comedy Central’s “Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush,” and on and on and on — until the day of the accident.

In 2006, Curry was doing his laundry when an aerosol can fell behind his water heater and exploded. “I was burned over 20 percent of my body, including my arm, back and side,” he recalled, “and had to spend a lot of months recuperating.”

Less than a year later, Curry admits he considered ending it all. “I considered committing suicide, but I’m six feet,six inches tall so there was nowhere to hang myself,” he mused.

Also, after talking with close friends who could make him laugh, like Sinbad and Bill Cosby, Curry decided against suicide in favor of discussing his ordeal in public.

He did just that on “The Montel Williams Show,” and later in his own comedy routines.

Perhaps no one knows better than Curry that laughter can be the best medicine for whatever ails you. “I used the accident as fuel for my standup. That first day in the hospital, I asked the nurses to bring me a notebook, and I’ve been writing down all my thoughts ever since.”

Additionally, Curry found extra strength in reading comedian Richard Pryor’s autobiography. Pryor, like Curry, had also been in an accident where he was severely burned, but as part of his recovery, started talking about it on stage.

“That accident changed me in many ways," said Curry. “Richard Pryor has always been one of my idols so I decided to follow his lead. Instead of ignoring what had happened to me, I talked about it and audiences laughed. The accident changed me and my comedy in many ways.”

For one thing, realizing he almost died, Curry said he decided it was time to stop pleasing others and start pleasing himself.

“For example, Mr. Copper had such a strong influence on people that the role defined me to the point where people thought I was that guy,” he said. “Still to this day, Mr. Cooper, which is a role I loved, stays in people’s minds, but I wanted audiences to see me and my standup for who I am and judge me by that.”

He said he’s also stopped thinking too far into the future — although he admits someday he might like to be back on TV in another series — and concentrates on the here and now.

“Today, my goal is to wake up and know I’m still funny,” said Curry. “I like to do these tours in front of people so that they can continue to let me know I’m still funny. I’ve turned down projects because I want to continue doing my standup, making people laugh, and feel good about themselves and me.”

For times and ticket information, call (800) 298-4200.