Lil Rel Howery says comedy saved his life on 'Late Late Show'

Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Lil Rel Howery discussed his love of stand-up and the impact it has had on his life while appearing on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

Howery mentioned returning to the stage for his recently released comedy album Humbly Vulnerable: I Said What I Said after taking an extended break from stand-up to star in films such as Free Guy and Vacation Friends.

"Once you get that bug of stand-up, man, it just doesn't go away," the comedian said on Tuesday.

"I try to take a break sometimes, but then once I go on that stage or walk into a club it's a wrap. Comedy I always say saved my life. Stand-up, no matter what I've been through in my life, stand-up has always had my back," he continued.

Howery also discussed his desire to portray a villain.

"I'm always the hero. Fine, I get it. I'm saving people, cool. I want to be a bad guy. I want to throw audiences off because they're used to seeing me be a good guy," he said.

Howery stars alongside Ryan Reynolds in Free Guy, which hit theaters in August. Reynolds has confirmed that a sequel is in development.