Most comedians are only funny while performing, but Eddie Deezen seems to be on stage no matter where he is.

"I was the class clown all my life. I remember being kicked out of kindergarten when I came to schoool one day with a faucet of running water on my head," said Deezen. "It was one of those gags my parents bought for me in Atlantic City. The kids loved it."

In the outrageous new college comedy, "Midnight Madness," Dezzen plays the egghead chairman of a college debate team out to prove brains are better than brawn when he and fellow debaters enter an elaborate game played at night on the streets of Los Angeles.

An avid Marx Brothers and Three Stooges fan, Deezen is often compared to Jerry Lewish in looks and comic style. ,p> "I love being a comedian. It's my favorite thing in the universe. I'm not interested in doing drama or the classics."

Born in Cumberland, Maryland, Deezen moved to Hollywood in 1976, the day after graduating from high school.

"I was in a high school comedy and I knew that's what I wanted to do forever. My dad game me money to go to California and I started working at the Comedy Store, but it's hard on your stomach to perform stand-up."

Deezen sent his picture to agents all over town. One woman signed him as a client and arranged an audition for the movie "Grease."

"That was my first job. They cut out my funniest scenes, but I loved working on the film and with John Travolta."

After "Grease," Deezen starred as Ringo Klaus in "I Wanna Hold Your Hand."

"Ringo was a realy great role for me. It was the best thing I did before 'Midnight Madness.' 'I Wanna Hold your Hand' was the 100th top grossing film of the year....too bad it was a bomb."

When Michael Nankin and David Wechter, writer-directors of "Midnight Madness," saw Deezen in the film, they wrote a part especially for him.

During filming of "Midnight Madness," Deezen entertained cast and crew with off-beat pranks. At Internation Airport, he pretended to be a piece of luggage and went through the X-ray machine. He also crashed a luggage cart into a wall my mistake, but it was so funny, the directors put it in the movie.

"I warned those guys," said Deezen. "I don't have a license to drive because I've been in too many car wrecks. Even trying to drive a moped in the film was a disaster. My moped died and I blocked traffic along Santa Monica Boulevard."

Ironically, "Used Cars" is the next movie in which Deezen will star. Steven Spielberg will produce.

Just before "Midnight Madness," Deezen completed another Spielberg film, "1941," playing a vetriloquist stationed on top of a Ferris wheel.

"1941' takes place in one night, " said Deezen, "and we think the Japanese are attacking Hollywood. I have a dummy that looks just like me and I'm up on a Ferris wheel the entire movie. "It was wonderful working with a director like Spielberg. David and Michael are a lot like him; they're young and enthusiastic.

"I'd like to do commercials, it seems like a good racket, but my agent said I'm not normal enough."

"Midnight Madness" also stars David Naughton, Stephen Furst, Debra Clinger, Maggie Roswell and Brad Wilkin. In color by Technicolor, the film was co-produced, directed and written by David Wechter and Michael Nankinf ro producer Ron Miller. Buena Vista releases.

This information is according to the Advance Campaign Material from Buena Vista Distribution Co., Inc.