Yellowknife (May 07/04) - For The Iron Working Comedian Gregory Hooper, life has been a series of ups and downs.

While his never-ending comedic tour forges on, taking him around the world -- including a stop in Inuvik to perform at the Firefighters Ball over the weekend -- one might say that Hooper is in an upbeat mood.

However, to get there Hooper had to first come down from working, at times several hundred feet above the New York City streets.

For 18 years, the half-Mohawk, half-English Hooper risked his life each day helping to construct skyscrapers as an iron worker.

"When I showed up for work I thought I was going to be a general labourer," said the 53-year-old. "When they found out I was half Mohawk they sent me way up there."

For nearly two decades Hooper worked precariously above the concrete and asphalt that was often more than 1,000ft below.

Renowned for their ability to work at extreme heights, Mohawks have helped to construct some of the world's biggest buildings and for more than 60 years have worked in the skies of America's supercities.

"Usually each week something would happen, either a high wind or swinging beam that would make you think this was your last day on the job," said Hooper, recalling his days on the iron. "And let me tell you, the Englishman in me was sure as heck scared."

And out of this adversity, Hooper's comedic career was born.

As a way to distract himself from his fears on the iron, he would make up silly songs and sing them in the clouds.

"I sing them and dance a little jig on the iron to calm me and from the laughs of other workers it seemed to calm them as well."

Hooper claims to have compiled more than 3,000 such songs, which poke fun at everything from politicians to fast-food.

Adding to his performance is the 175lb trunk, which contains a selection of silly wigs and hats to accent his personas.

Now, instead of earning his money going up, up and away, Hooper now enjoys the constant travelling to far away lands that has come with his latest vocation.

"I've got the best job in the world now," he said. "I get paid to make people laugh. Now what's better than that?"