When Jim was at Yuk-Yuk's, he met Wayne Flemming who became his good friend, as he still is today. Flemming ran a club called Tickles and Jim became well known there. Jim did his other impressions like, Sammy Davis Jr, and Tom Jones. An L.A. critic raved about Jim and soon his pay began to grow from $100 to $1,000 a night.

This brought good news for Jims family, allowing them to live in town, than in Jackson's Point. Jim appeared on Canadian television talk shows including a show host by Alan Thicke.

Jim signed to do a made-for-TV film called Introducing Janet on Canadian TV. Jim played Tony, a young guy who wants to be a comic, but is having less success at doing stand-up. Adah Glassbourg played a woman who is Tony's friend. He is a waiter and a wannabe comic at Giggles. Janet helps him recreate his routine.

This was dramatic film, surprising viewers about Jim's real talent. Leature took Jim to New York to play other clubs. For example, Dangerfield's, owned by comedian Rodney Dangerfield, Catch A Rising Star, and Budd Friedman's Improvisation. At Dangerfield's, Rodney Dangerfield showed up and took a liking to Jim very fast. Jim was invited back to Dangerfield's for week-long performances and he opened for Rodney Dangerfield when he was doing his act in Canada. Rodney became a fan of Jim's when he did his act.

Jim's manager Leatrice Spevack expected to start his own talent agency, but he soon found out that Demi Thompson wanted to take on more work and Leatrice was no longer involved with Jim after that. Jim was now in the hands of Demi Thompson as she took him on a trip to L.A. hoping to be seen by network producers and movie producers. Jim did though have to wait for papers by the U.S. Immigration to allow him to work in the U.S. Jim was expected to be on The Tonight Show, but was not accepted by Carson's people. Rodney Dangerfield continued having Jim open for him and invited Jim to Las Vegas to open for him at Caesar's Palace.

Jim then started working on a movie for Canada TV called, Cooper Mountian with Alan Thicke co-starring as his older friend. It was not a breakthough for Jim. David soon became Jim's manager and took him to Hollywood. Demi Thompson was then released as Jim's manager. David knew the owner of The Comedy Store and that helped Jim finally get accepted in the club. Soon other clubs started opening in L.A. and The Tonght Show moved to Hollywood. Jim did his act several times a week. Jim soon became independent and stayed in L.A. for good. Linda Rondstadt, a singer, offered Jim to open for her when she was on tour. Jim was excited. It was pilot season and Jim was hoping for a breakout opportunity at a series. Allan Burns then put his show, The Duck Factory, together with an ensemble cast. He still needed a lead actor to play Skip Tarkenton. Burn visited The Comedy Store and saw Jim's act. He knew that Jim was right for the role, however to make sure he returned with Brandon Tartikoff NBC head of Entertainment for the network to see Jim and he liked what he saw. The Duck Factory soon went into production, but had many delayes until it premiered in mid-season 1983. Soon, after 13 episodes, it was canceled despite being on NBC Thurday's powerhouse night. Jim dated Linda Ronstadt, but that soon ended when she started dating George Lucas in a new relationship.