Anthony Jeselnik born December 22, 1978 is an American comedian, writer, actor, and producer, known for his dark comedy style that features ironic misdirection, non sequiturs, sharp insults, and a stage persona that often adopts amoral or psychopathic perspectives. Jeselnik started as a writer for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon during its first season and hosted Comedy Central Presents in 2009. After releasing his debut album Shakespeare in 2010, he began writing for the Comedy Central Roasts, later performing at roasts of Donald Trump, Charlie Sheen, and Roseanne Barr.
Anthony Jeselnik Biography 2024
He hosted his own series, The Jeselnik Offensive, for two seasons in 2013 and released his second album, Caligula. In 2015, he replaced J.B. Smoove as host of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and his stand-up specials, Thoughts and Prayers (2015) and Fire in the Maternity Ward (2019), premiered on Netflix. Jeselnik also co-hosted the The Rosenthal & Jeselnik Vanity Project podcast, later renamed The Jeselnik & Rosenthal Vanity Project (JRVP) in 2018.
Anthony Jeselnik Biography Details
| Born | December 22, 1978 (age 45) |
|---|
| Medium | Stand-up, television |
|---|
| Alma mater | Tulane University (BA) |
|---|
| Years active | 2001–present |
|---|
| Genres | - Observational comedy
- deadpan
- black comedy
- cringe comedy
- insult comedy
- shock humor
- satire
|
|---|
| Subject(s) | - Everyday life
- death
- religion
- philosophy
- family
|
|---|
| Notable works and roles | - Comedy Central Roast
- The Jeselnik Offensive
- Shakespeare
- Caligula
|
|---|
| Website | AnthonyJeselnik.com |
|---|
Anthony Jeselnik Early Life
Anthony Jeselnik grew up in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, where he developed an early interest in making people laugh. In elementary school, he frequently interrupted class with jokes, and after one sarcastic comment about a classmate moving to a less-favored town, he realized that if adults understood his humor, he could “get away with anything.” Jeselnik would stay up late to watch Saturday Night Live and later enjoyed The Ben Stiller Show and Mr. Show.
He graduated from Upper St. Clair High School in 1997 and earned a degree in English literature with a business minor from Tulane University in 2001. During his senior year, his girlfriend accidentally set his apartment on fire, a story he later incorporated into his stand-up. Jeselnik was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at Tulane, and originally aspired to write the great American novel. However, an internship in Los Angeles between his junior and senior years opened his eyes to other writing opportunities.
In the early 2000s, Jeselnik moved to Los Angeles and worked at a Borders bookstore while trying stand-up comedy. He enrolled in a comedy workshop led by Greg Dean and performed his first joke an impression of his father being stung by wasps but it failed to get any laughs. This experience made Jeselnik vow never to do physical comedy again. After being fired from Borders, he worked as an accounting clerk for the TV series Deadwood while performing at open-mic nights.
Inspired by comedians like Mitch Hedberg, Dennis Miller, Sarah Silverman, and Steven Wright, Jeselnik had a breakthrough moment two years into his stand-up career when he wrote a dark, twisted joke that received a strong audience reaction. This led him to embrace that style of comedy, and the joke “My Girlfriend Loves to Eat Chocolate” would later appear on his debut album, Shakespeare. He found his comedic “home” at the Comedy Cellar, where he appreciated the influence of fellow comedians like Jim Norton, Colin Quinn, Bobby Kelly, and Keith Robinson.
Anthony Jeselnik Bio
Heading | Details |
Birth and Family | Anthony Jeselnik was born on December 22, 1978, in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania. He is of Slovenian descent. |
Early Comedy Interest | Jeselnik developed a love for comedy in his childhood, often cracking jokes that entertained his teachers and classmates. |
College Education | He graduated from Tulane University in 2001, earning a BA in English Literature with a minor in Business. |
Early Work Experience | Jeselnik worked at Borders and later behind the scenes on the TV series Deadwood before fully pursuing stand-up comedy. |
Career Milestones
Heading | Points |
Comedy Central Presents | In 2009, Jeselnik starred in his first stand-up special for Comedy Central, Comedy Central Presents. |
Writing for Late Night | Jeselnik worked as a writer for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon during its first season, though his dark jokes were often rejected. |
Breakthrough Moment | His appearance at the Comedy Central Roast of Donald Trump in 2011 helped Jeselnik gain national recognition. |
The Jeselnik Offensive | Jeselnik hosted his own show on Comedy Central, The Jeselnik Offensive, which aired from 2013 to 2014. |
Stand-Up Specials and Albums
Heading | Information |
Shakespeare (2010) | Jeselnik’s debut stand-up album, Shakespeare, was released in 2010 and is known for its dark humor and biting social commentary. |
Caligula (2013) | His second album, Caligula, was released in 2013 and also aired as a Netflix special. |
Thoughts and Prayers (2015) | This special aired on Netflix and offered Jeselnik’s signature dark humor, including reflections on personal tragedies. |
Fire in the Maternity Ward (2019) | Jeselnik’s third Netflix special, Fire in the Maternity Ward, was released in 2019 and continues his exploration of taboo topics. |
Television Appearances and Projects
Projects | Points |
Last Comic Standing | Jeselnik hosted NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2015, replacing J.B. Smoove. |
The Jeselnik Offensive | In 2013, Jeselnik hosted The Jeselnik Offensive, a show that showcased his edgy, satirical humor. |
Podcasting | Jeselnik co-hosted The Rosenthal & Jeselnik Vanity Project, which later evolved into The Jeselnik & Rosenthal Vanity Project (JRVP). |
Personal Life and Beliefs
Family | Details |
Relationship with Amy Schumer | Jeselnik has dated fellow comedian Amy Schumer. |
Atheism | He is outspoken about his atheism, which often influences the subject matter in his comedy. |
Family and Ancestry | Jeselnik is of Slovenian descent, which plays a role in some of his personal anecdotes. |
Comedy Style and Influence
Heading | Describe |
Dark Humor | Jeselnik is best known for his dark, controversial humor, often touching on topics like death, family, and religion. |
Satirical Tone | His comedy often includes satirical takes on modern society and its taboos, offering a mix of shock value and sharp critique. |
Influence from Comedians | Jeselnik cites Mitch Hedberg, Dennis Miller, and Sarah Silverman as major influences on his comedic style. |
Public Reception and Criticism
Heading | Details |
Controversial Comedy | Jeselnik’s dark humor often sparks controversy, with some finding his jokes too offensive, while others praise his boundary-pushing style. |
Critical Acclaim | Despite the controversy, Jeselnik has been critically acclaimed for his ability to handle sensitive topics with skill and wit. |
Discography and Stand-Up Specials
Heading | Facts |
Shakespeare (2010) | Jeselnik’s debut stand-up album, released in 2010, earned him recognition for his unique comedic voice. |
Caligula (2013) | His follow-up album, Caligula, continued to explore the dark humor that defines his style. |
Thoughts and Prayers (2015) | Released on Netflix, this special explores themes of tragedy and loss, interspersed with Jeselnik’s signature humor. |
Notable Roasts and Performances
Perfomance | Years |
Roast of Donald Trump | Jeselnik’s performance at the Comedy Central Roast of Donald Trump in 2011 helped establish his reputation. |
Roast of Charlie Sheen | Jeselnik performed at the Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen in 2011, adding to his roast accolades. |
Roast of Roseanne Barr | He was a key participant in the Comedy Central Roast of Roseanne Barr in 2012. |
Additional Television Roles
Roles | Details |
Maron (2014) | Jeselnik appeared in an episode of Maron in 2014, playing a fictionalized version of himself. |
Comedy Bang! Bang! | He made a guest appearance on Comedy Bang! Bang! in 2014, showcasing his comedic range. |
Podcast Career
Career | Points |
The Rosenthal & Jeselnik Vanity Project | Jeselnik launched his first podcast with NFL analyst Gregg Rosenthal in 2015, focusing on sports and comedy. |
The Jeselnik & Rosenthal Vanity Project (JRVP) | The second season of the podcast, rebranded in 2018, continues to blend comedy and sports, with a wide audience. |
Recent Projects
Heading | Details |
Bones and All (2024) | Jeselnik’s latest stand-up special, Bones and All, was released in 2024, continuing his exploration of edgy, dark humor. |
Public Persona and Legacy
Heading | Facts |
Bold Stage Persona | Jeselnik’s persona is defined by his aloof, arrogant demeanor and willingness to tackle taboo topics. |
Comedy Legacy | Jeselnik is widely regarded as one of the most influential comedians of his generation, known for his sharp wit and boundary-pushing material. |
Anthony Jeselnik Net Worth
Anthony Jeselnik has an estimated net worth of $1 million.
Anthony Jeselnik Summary
Anthony Jeselnik career has been defined by his unapologetic and fearless approach to comedy. His dark humor, which delves into subjects like death, family, and societal taboos, has earned him a place in the comedy world as a unique voice. From his early days as a writer for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to his current status as a headline performer and podcast host, Jeselnik has continued to push boundaries, making audiences laugh even when they’re uncomfortable. With multiple stand-up specials and television appearances under his belt, Jeselnik’s influence on modern comedy remains strong, solidifying his legacy as one of the most daring and influential comedians of his era.
