Whanganui comedian Ray O'Leary missed out on a prestigious Billy T Award on Sunday night.
The former Cullinane College student was nominated along with comics Li'i Alimoana, Patch Lambert, Angella Dravid and Paul Williams.
The award has been presented to the outstanding up-and-coming performer every year since 1997, with Sunday night's award going to funny girl Angella Dravid, a regular on TV Three's Jono and Ben.
O'Leary said he was "very happy" for Dravid.
"She's hilarious and a very good friend of mine."
He moved to Wellington after secondary school, completing a bachelor's degree, then a master's, in philosophy.
"Just being nominated for the award so early in my career sends a message that I can make a career out of comedy, which is all I want," O'Leary said.
"I can always apply for the award again because I'm so early in my career."
He began life as a stand-up at an open mic night in Wellington in 2015, and describes his comedy as "deadpan, dark and intellectual".
The award was presented as part of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival, where O'Leary performed five shows, one of which sold out.