Jessica Kirson (born November 14, 1969[1]) is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and producer. Kirson is known for performing regularly at comedy venues in New York City — some of which include Gotham Comedy Club, Laugh Factory, Caroline's, and the Improv.
Jessica Kirson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | November 14, 1969 South Orange, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Alma mater | |
| Spouse |
Danielle Sweeney (m. 2014) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives |
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TikTok information | |
| Page | |
| Followers | 1.2M |
| Likes | 50.2M |
Last updated: 6 June 2024 | |
Early life
editKirson was born and raised in South Orange, New Jersey, and is of Jewish descent.[2] Before her family moved from Europe to the States, their last name was Kirschenbaum which means “cherry tree.”[3] Her mother is a therapist who treated clients in Kirson's childhood home, which she has said has had a profound impact on her and her comedy.[4][5]
Kirson graduated from Columbia High School in 1987. She described herself as a 'major class clown' who loved to make people laugh.[6] Kirson is the stepsister of both actor Zach Braff and writer Joshua Braff, whose father married her mother when she was an adolescent.[7] With the intention of becoming a therapist, Kirson graduated from the University of Maryland in family studies and from New York University with a Masters of Social Work.[8]
Career
editKirson made her career debut in the film School Dance. Her one-hour special Talking to Myself debuted on Comedy Central and was executive produced by Bill Burr.[9] Other projects include her series The Call Girls with longtime friend and comedian Rachel Feinstein.[10] In 2016, Kirson acted in and served as a consultant, producer, and writer on the Robert De Niro film The Comedian.[11] Kirson was an executive producer and appeared in the documentary Hysterical which follows a group of female comedians, on and off stage.[12]
Kirson has performed on The Tonight Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The View, and Kevin Can Wait. Kirson also hosts her own podcast, Disgusting Hawk.[13] Kirson is also a contributor on The Howard Stern Show, where she produces and stars in prank calls for the program.
Comedic style
editIn her comedy, Kirson often narrates personal experiences of sobriety,[14] her Jewish upbringing, and her identity as a lesbian, utilizing "gallows humor" and "biting, often crass asides."[15] She sometimes performs inner monologues during her sets while facing away from the audience: "A lot of the jokes, when I turn around, I've said before, but I only do it at certain times, when a joke doesn't work or I get uncomfortable or something happens in the audience... That's my way of saving it in the moment."[16] Commenting on her approach to comedy, Kirson said:
I don’t like being labeled as a type of comedian. I do all kinds of comedy. I’m just trying to be very real and honest and truthful. I try to entertain people as best as I can, because I feel like right now most people don’t like to think a lot. So, I go on and try to have it so that they don’t analyze and think a lot. I love doing characters, and I love putting out a message of tolerance that teaches people not to be mean, and to be more kind.[17]
She has cited Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett among her comedic influences.[17]
Personal life
editKirson has four children.[18] She has been open about her struggle with food addiction[7] as well as substance abuse throughout her life.[19]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | School Dance | Officer P'eniss | |
| 2016 | The Comedian | Herself | Also associate producer |
| 2020 | The King of Staten Island | Female Pharmacy Owner | |
| 2020 | The Binge | Karyn Friedlander |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Bubble Guppies | Voice roles (various) | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | The Jim Gaffigan Show | Pam | Episode: "Super Great Daddy Day" |
| 2016 | Kevin Can Wait | Megan | Episode: "Hallow-We-Ain't-Home" |
| 2018 | Dollar Store Therapist | Jessica | Episode: "Self-Pleasure" |
| 2018–2019 | Crashing | Herself | 3 episodes |
| 2020 | Ramy | Homeless Woman | Episode: "Little Omar" |
References
edit- ^ "Jessica Kirson Biography". Dead Frog Stand-Up Comedy Database. Todd Jackson. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023.
- ^ Jessica Kirson's Full Comedy Central Special (Presented by Bill Burr) Pt. 1/7. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022 – via YouTube.
{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ I'm a jazz singer – via YouTube.
- ^ Rule, Doug (October 12, 2022). "Jessica Kirson's Therapy-Enhanced Comedy". Metro Weekly. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023.
- ^ Dahms, Sara (March 28, 2020). "Jessica Kirson Talks About Her Many Sides: Serious, Silly & Spiritual". The Interrobang. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023.
- ^ "You've Seen Her on TV, but Hometown Comedian Jessica Kirson is Funnier in Person". South Orange, NJ Patch. November 4, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ a b Maler, Dennis (September 8, 2021). "JESSICA KIRSON OF "HYSTERICAL" ON PRANK CALLS, FOOD TRAUMA, AND HER CELEBRITY BROTHER". DigBoston. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023.
- ^ Kharakh, Ben (May 22, 2006). "Jessica Kirson, Comedian". Gothamist. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Jessica Kirson's Full Comedy Central Special (Presented by Bill Burr) | Pt. 1/7, retrieved February 14, 2023
- ^ The Call Girls by Jessica Kirson & Rachel Feinstein, September 24, 2021, retrieved February 14, 2023
- ^ Jessica Kirson Stand-Up, retrieved February 14, 2023
- ^ "Video Comedian Jessica Kirson on examining the lives of female comics in new documentary". ABC News. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ "Disgusting Hawk with Jessica Kirson on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Glassman, Marvin (August 16, 2016). "Jewish comic shares her life onstage". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023.
- ^ Kahn, Gabe (July 1, 2020). "'We can laugh at ourselves'". New Jersey Jewish News. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023.
- ^ Crowley, James (December 6, 2019). "Jessica Kirson on Her New Comedy Central Special, Coaching Audiences and Backhanded Compliments". Newsweek. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023.
- ^ a b Odyssey, Dave (February 1, 2014). "Jessica Kirson, the Woman of Many Faces". OutSmart Magazine. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023.
- ^ Condran, Ed (March 4, 2021). "Jessica Kirson – from the streets of New York to the Spokane stage". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023.
- ^ "For Comedian Jessica Kirson, Staying Sober Is No Laughing Matter". MyRecovery.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023.