Bill Engvall is feeling good about some big life changes. Last year, he decided it was time to retire from standup. A few years earlier, he knew it was time to leave Southern California.
“We were in California for 30 years and had a great time. We had a great time,” he told Fox News Digital while promoting his upcoming comedy special, which will be his last. “I’ve always said, if you can’t find anything to do in California, don’t look.”
But the comedian and his family finally decided to make a change. “You know, there was nothing in California where we ever said, ‘Oh my God, we have to get out of here.’ … I still have a fondness for California,” he shared, who now lives in Utah. “And like I said, when the work comes, it’ll probably come from LA… I still go back and do TV shows, talk shows, stuff like that.”
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Comedian-turned-minister BILL ENGVALL warns that culture doesn’t belong in comedy
After 30 years in California and a successful career, Bill Engvall left California for Utah. (Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)
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After several decades in the spotlight, California no longer needed to be his home. “I had achieved everything I wanted to achieve in the industry. And also economically, I mean, taxes just went crazy. So it was a combination of many things. But I don’t hate California,” he said clarified.
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WATCH: BILL ENGVALL SHARE WHY HE LEFT CALIFORNIA FOR UTAH
Now living in the Beehive State, 66-year-old Engvall and his wife Gail couldn’t be happier. He says that in Utah he can experience a different lifestyle, one rooted in nature. He loves fishing, hiking and skiing.
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“I felt more comfortable, if that makes sense. “I’m from Texas and I love Texas, but I don’t know if I could go back there… It has its pros and cons, just like every state.” But I didn’t see Utah on our radar at all, you know. But again, it was probably my narrow-mindedness in judging what it was like. And then I realized, ‘Oh, it’s not at all what I thought.'”
“That’s what happens a lot when people move to big cities and then move away… I think it was a very successful time in California and I’ll always have a soft spot,” the “Last Man Standing” actor said.
Bill Engvall and his wife Gail now live in Park City, Utah. (Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)
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“My wife and I, when we first came to California, I said, ‘We’ll give it ten years, and if nothing happens, we’ll move.’ Well, every ten years it seemed like something happened would – I got a show, or you know, a new special came out and I got a little more attention… But I’m happy to say that, like I said, I accomplished everything I wanted and now I’m just having fun.[toCalifornia’Isaid’We’llgiveit10yearsandifnothing’shappenedthenwe’llmove’Wellevery10yearsitseemedlikesomethingwouldhappen–IgotashoworyouknowanewspecialwascomingoutandIgotalittlemoreattentiontome…ButI’mhappytosaylikeIsaidbeforethatIaccomplishedeverythingIwantedtoandnowI’mjusthavingfun[toCalifornia’Isaid’We’llgiveit10yearsandifnothing’shappenedthenwe’llmove’Wellevery10yearsitseemedlikesomethingwouldhappen–IgotashoworyouknowanewspecialwascomingoutandIgotalittlemoreattentiontome…ButI’mhappytosaylikeIsaidbeforethatIaccomplishedeverythingIwantedtoandnowI’mjusthavingfun
“Some of my dearest friends still live there and we visit them. And it’s fun to come back,” he shared.
Bill Engvall’s final comedy special will be available to purchase or rent on multiple platforms. (Comedy Dynamics)
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In his comedy special “Here Is Your Sign It’s Finally Time – My Last Show,” Engvall takes a brief look at his former home state. “I probably could have left that out,” he told Fox News Digital. “That really wasn’t necessary. But you know… it was just a joke.”
To hear Engvall’s joke, you can buy or rent his special starting December 5 on multiple platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and YouTube, as well as cable providers.