Laughing in the Dark: Chonda Pierce on Life after Tragedy

Chonda Pierce  is the most awarded woman American comedy. The Emmy-nominated comedienne has been serving up laughter to sell-out crowds for decades.

She has released 10 successful comedy projects and written eight books.

She began her comedy career imitating Mini Pearl at Opryland Theme Park after college. She memorized three pages of jokes to land the role.

But not long ago, finding the "funny" in her own life wasn't easy.

The Christian comic battled illness, tragedy and loss, just as a film crew began following her life story. The emotional journey is the subject of her documentary, "Laughing in the Dark."

Pierce's husband of the 31 years died; her mother died, and she battled depression. The events also unfolded while the Christian comedian had cameras following for a documentary on her life.

Laughing in the Dark 

That wasn't the script the country's most awarded female comedienne planned for her film story. But the journey has grown her relationship with God.

It's also a story that has blessed thousands who have watched it.

The film opened October 27, 2015 at 500 theaters around the country for a one-night event. Its massive success at the box office inspired a return to nearly 800 theatres for an encore showing. And it is now available on DVD. 

"I don't know that this movie and the story of my life being out there for the whole wide world (to see), I don't know that it is a finale. I don't feel that way. But I do feel like it is a period at the end of a quite a journey," she said.

In addition to the DVD, there is also Laughing in the Dark Bible study, based on the book of Job.

"When your life story is based on the book of Job, then you know it's been quite the life," Pierce joked.  "But what I love about it is that story of my life and what Job went through is what all of us go through." 

"When you walk through the valley of the shadow of death with God, you will have such a stronger sensibility of knowing that He is the rock," she noted to CBN News. "And I shall not be moved because of Him."