Drew Carey was born the youngest child of working class parents in glamourless Cleveland, Ohio. His father, a draftsman for General Motors, died of a brain tumor when Carey was eight. Carey sights the event as the cause of the bouts of depression he would suffer for the following twenty years. As a result of his fathers death his mother had to work long hours to support the family. Drew was subsequently left home alone and spent a great deal of time watching cartoons and listening to comedy albums.

He was much younger than his older brothers and was the only child living at home when he entered Cleveland's Rhodes High, where he played in the school marching band. After graduation he attended Kent State. He was undecided in his career choices and ended up changing his major several times. He was a devoted frat brother of Delta Tau Delta and found it difficult balancing studies and his social life. He was subsequently kicked out of school twice prior to dropping out with no degree to show for his five years of classes. Perhaps the lowest moment of his college days came at a frat party, when despairing and directionless Drew swallowed half a bottle of sleeping pills. Fortunately, he alerted his friends who rushed him to emergency.

After leaving Kent State behind for good, Carey drifted across the country working various jobs. He was again stricken with a severe bout of depression and he attempted suicide for a second time with sleeping pills. Convinced that his life required a new set of direction he returned to Cleveland where he immersed himself in self-help books. He would latter state that "Self-help books literally changed his life."

He signed with the Marine Corps Reserve in 1980 hoping it would teach him self discipline. He stayed with the Corps for six years. A disc jockey friend saw Careys comedic talent and offered to pay him to come up with funny ideas for his radio show. Carey scoured books on how to write jokes at the local library and began trying out his stand up act at a local comedy club. His first paid appearance was in April of 1986 and he recalls that he "just bearly" started making a living at comedy later that year.

A turning point came in his career when he landed an appearance on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson in 1991. Johnny asked Drew to join him and sit on the couch after his set. Since then, he has starred in and wrote his own cable special, "The Mr. Vegas All-Night Party." Carey has also performed on HBO's "14 Annual Comedy Hour," "Comics Only," "Showtime Comedy Club Network," "Comedy on the Caribbean" and "Comedy on the Road." In addition he stars in his self-titled sitcom "Drew Carey". He also is the creator and producer along with Bruce Helford of the successful series.

Drew Carey is still extremely loyal to his hometown and despises any sports team which happens to be competing against the Indians of Cavaliers. He has written his first book of short stories and anecdotes, "Dirty Jokes and Beer." He is singe, and purchased his childhood home in Cleveland and hopes to return there someday.