Arj Barker, famous for acting in “Flight of the Conchords” and co-creating, writing and performing in “The Marijuana-logues,” hadn’t thought of becoming a comedian until he tried stand-up.

“I tried it for fun, didn’t really decide to become a comedian,” said Barker, a Bay Area native. “I just gave it a shot and it was so fun that I just kept going back to it.”

Barker, who will be having a free comedy show on campus Thursday, became better known after his appearance on a 1997 episode of Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend,” a show that uses short clips of different comedians’ routines.

Following this, Barker was given his own half-hour show, “Comedy Central Presents: Arj Barker,” in 2000 and a second episode in 2006. Barker has also appeared on multiple late-night talk shows, meeting with David Letterman, Conan O’Brien and Jimmy Kimmel, among numerous others.

More recently, Barker has taken the role of Dave Mohumbhai, a worker in his family’s pawn shop and friend to main characters Bret and Jemaine on HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords.”

“Jemaine Clement and Bret McClegnie are friends of mine. We worked together on tours in Australia and New Zealand before they came to the States,” he said. “In the States a few years later, they were offered to make a show for NBC. They contacted me, and wanted to have a plug in the show for me. They said it was a sure thing. It wasn’t a difficult decision for me,” he said.

However, plans fell through with NBC and the show never aired.

“It didn’t work out,” Barker said. “They went to HBO, created ‘Flight of the Conchords,’ and wrote a character, wrote a part for me. It was considerable luck, being at the right place at the right time.”

When not filming, Barker tours the world performing his stand-up routine with a type of comedy he finds a bit hard to describe.

“I over think it, but I’d say observation seen through the lens of stupidity. Not straight observational, my take on things that we all can relate, but the way I perceive it is ridiculous,” he said.

Mike E. Winfield, a Sac State alumnus and one of Barker’s opening acts, is also a fan.

“He’s one of my favorites. Easily one of my favorites to watch,” he said. “It’s very interesting where he takes you. One entirely straight path, then takes you 180 degrees in the other direction. He’s one of the (comics) who will make you cry. He’ll pull tears of laughter out of people.”

UNIQUE was given a chance to host Barker and jumped on it.

“Members of UNIQUE have been talking about ‘Flight of the Conchords,’ and UNIQUE represents a good sample of students on campus,” said program supervisor Zenia Diokno.

Interest in the show is not just limited to campus.

“Lots of students are happy he is coming. We’re also sending the press release to the media and around town and the area is showing interest,” Diokno said.

Barker said touring the country and visiting places such as campuses is fun.

“I’m fired up to get (to Sacramento). I love the area.”

Barker will be performing on campus with opening acts Mike E. Winfield and Alex Koll from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday in the University Union Serna Plaza.