'American Ninja Warrior' host to speak at Kentucky Derby Festival event. What to know

Matt Iseman, host of NBC's "American Ninja Warrior," will be the featured speaker at the Kentucky Derby Festival's annual They’re Off! Luncheon on Friday, April 21.

The doctor-turned-comedian strives to inspire others with his motto that "laughter is the best medicine when it comes to overcoming obstacles," according to a news release from the Kentucky Derby Festival.

"We always say at the Derby Festival that we’re in the business of fun. What better way to kick off the festivities than with someone whose known around the country for making people laugh," Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival president & CEO said in the news release announcing Iseman. "We look forward to welcoming Matt to Louisville to tell jokes, talk ninja warriors and entertain our guests with his inspiring stories."

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Here's what else to know about the Kentucky Derby Festival's They're Off Luncheon and 2023 host Matt Iseman:

Who is Matt Iseman?

In addition to hosting the four-time Emmy-nominated "American Ninja Warrior," Iseman also helmed its latest spinoff, "American Ninja Warrior Junior" on Peacock. He earned an Emmy for the home makeover show, "Clean House" and has starred in countless commercials and numerous sitcoms, as well as being a regular on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" and for his daily hosting of Peacock’s live morning coverage of the 2020 and 2022 Olympic broadcasts, according to the release.

When Iseman made the decision to step away from his career in medicine to pursue comedy, his dad gave him a piece of advice he still lives by to this day: "Life is short, do what makes you happy."

Iseman's ongoing battle with Rheumatoid Arthritis has led him to become a strong supporter of the Arthritis Foundation, and his fight with Renal Cell Carcinoma has steered him to become a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society, according to the release.

Iseman joins Robin Roberts, Larry King, Leslie Stahl, Terry Bradshaw, Erin Andrews, Magic Johnson, Bob Costas and James Earl Jones in a long list of former They’re Off! Luncheon speakers.

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When and where is the They're Off Luncheon?

The They’re Off! Luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. on April 21 in the Grand Ballroom of the Galt House Hotel, 140 N. Fourth St. First held in 1957, serves as the time-honored kick-off to each year’s Kentucky Derby Festival, the second oldest on the schedule.

This year's event features the presentation of the Heartland Volunteer of the Year Award and the Fifth Third Bank Silver Horseshoe Award for service to the community.

How much are tickets to the They're Off Luncheon?

Tickets to the event, sponsored by BAE Systems, Fifth Third Bank and Heartland, are $100 each or $800 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 502-584-FEST or visit KDF.org.

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Reach Features Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Matt Iseman to speak at Kentucky Derby Festival's They're Off Luncheon