SEEKONK - Mike Dorval, 35, grew up in Seekonk. A graduate of Seekonk High School, Class of 1992, the actor is proud to say he’s been working steadily since graduation. He currently lives in Boston, where the Boston Herald said “Michael Dorval is hilarious.” The Boston Globe described him as “One of Boston’s best.”

The actor has recently been a company member of “Shear Madness” – which he said is the longest running non-musical in American Theater history – and Gip Hoppe’s award-winning “A New War.” He will star in his one-man show “Death By Chocolate” in a limited holiday weekend run at the Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Black Box Theatre beginning the weekend of Nov. 27 and running through the weekend of Dec. 18. (Tickets: $29. For more information: 617/426-5000 or visit www.bcaonline.org)

He’s also a former fat man. He has lost over 100 lbs since he peaked at 338 lbs. But he’s not at all embarrassed about that. Why?

Well …

What do you remember about growing up in Seekonk?

“The first thing that always springs to mind? Walking. I lived in Central Seekonk and for some reason every girl my friends and I liked lived in South Seekonk, so until we could drive we’d walk miles to the South end. Then the girls would invariably want to walk to somewhere on Rte. 6. It’s actually amazing I managed to stay as heavy as I did with that much walking.”

Did you perform while you attended Seekonk High School?

“I performed in many shows with Seekonk High School Drama Club. My very first play was ‘Fame’ so I had a nice bit of nostalgia when the new movie came out. My favorite was probably “The Man Who Came to Dinner.” That started a long line of roles where I was playing characters 20-50 years older than I was. There was a long time where I never got on stage without having to put white shoe polish on my hair … I blame it for my gray hairs now.”

When did you first discover you wanted to be a performer?

“I’ve had a feeling ever since I was little. My first foray into performing was thanks to reruns of an old show called “Welcome Back Kotter.” Gabe Kaplan would start and end each episode with a joke and I’d memorize them and tell them to my family and kids at school.”

How would you describe your talents?

“I think for any performer whether it’s comics, actors, singers, dancers, it comes down to telling the story and that’s where I think my talents come out. In any medium I focus on telling a good story that connects with the listener and I make sure they know that I know they’re there and listening.”

What should people know about this upcoming show?

“It’s funny! But more, it’s a reflection on my life – long issues with my food and my weight told with a humorous slant. And it’s really for anyone who’s had something that’s seemed beyond their control. I’ve had so many people come up to me and tell me they’ve had similar food issues, but I’ve been most surprised by the people who’ve said it was relatable because of their issues with drinking, gambling, O.C.D., etc. We’ve all got problems and it’s kind of nice to be able to get together and laugh about them together.”

How about a little teaser for the show? For instance, give us a line about your Catholic upbringing.

“Well, I went to Catholic school until I was 10 and some of the harshest critics of my weight were the nuns I had the misfortune of being taught by. I feel a little guilty saying this but I remember as a child, after one of the sisters explained to me that she was “married to Jesus” thinking very clearly to myself: ’He coulda done better! I mean he’s Jesus! He’s a catch!’

I will now wait to be struck by lightening.”

And your love life?

“Ah, the love life is another lifelong battle isn’t it? I’m just hoping to have a woman living in the house again so I no longer need to fear running out of toilet paper and my home will smell nice again … those were good times.”

What local performers do you admire?

“Tony V is one of my all-time favorite comedians regardless of locale. Louis CK is from Massachusetts and is one of the best, most creative talents I’ve ever seen. But I truly admire all of the local, less famous comics that have prioritized making people laugh for so long over anything else.”

What advice do you have for young performers in Seekonk?

“Have as much fun as possible while always remembering that it’s work and deserving of no less effort than anything else in your life. If you’re serious about it, be very honest with yourself about what you want and work. Keep working and then, when you think you deserve a little break … find something else to work on.”

When it comes to show business, how do you define success?

“Success is very personal thing for everyone and however you define it is perfectly fine. Be it fame, wealth, respect, or anything else. For me I’ve just always wanted to do work that I could be proud of – that came form a personal place and speaks to people. If I feel like I’ve said something, or written something that someone can really connect with, that’s success.”