Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonesy.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jonesy. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I started as a singer in a band back in my home state of Massachusetts. Being a frontman gave me the confidence to try standup comedy, and I really took to that mode of expression. After a year of cutting my teeth in the Boston comedy clubs, I moved to New York City.
I sang in a Red Hot Chili Pepper cover band and continued my experimentation with standup comedy nearly every night. It was around this time that I started to actually get funny which opened other doors of opportunity I hadn’t expected. I began working as an actor in commercials, voice-over, film, television, and theater. I booked roles on Nurse Jackie, The Letterman Show, Gotham, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
About three years ago, I moved to Los Angeles to expand my acting opportunities and recently worked on Comedy Central’s Drunk History. I continue to perform standup comedy almost nightly in southern California, and I now have a successful podcast called Weird AF News with thousands of daily listeners.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
If your road is smooth, you’re probably not doing it right. The struggles are a blessing, and I certainly experienced my share in New York City, which is an environment that will test you in many ways.
As an actor, it’s tough because, as everyone knows, it’s a very competitive industry. As for standup comedy I wasn’t very funny for such a long time – years -but I was somewhat unaware of this. Therefore, I struggled on a daily basis with a misconception of myself.
I became extremely bitter toward the gatekeepers of comedy-related opportunities that were consistently denying me participation in standup comedy related opportunities. I suffered from depression and self-hatred because of this, and I took it out on the people who loved me.
Back then, I mistreated my body, my mind, my woman and many friends and colleagues.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m growing my podcast, Weird AF News, to the point where it is actually making some money, and I see a future in this and will continue to put energy into it on a daily basis. I recently took on a talent manager that believes in me and is getting me quality appointments for major roles and this will surely pay off.
My standup is getting more and more personal, intimate, dark, and real all the time. It has less mainstream appeal, but nonetheless, I’m very proud of where I’m taking it because I’m being more truthful than I ever have. Although I’m no longer interested in being in bands, I still play guitar and sing songs in my apartment – I’ll never stop playing music.
I don’t want to make big changes because I’m happy these days. I’ve come to realize how lucky I am to be in Los Angeles participating in these areas of art and production. I’m so grateful where my life has taken me, and I’m humbled by it all.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://Jonesy.com
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Mark DiNatale
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