Daily Inspiration: Meet Cory Jacob

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cory Jacob.

Hi Cory, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I got my start in comedy and acting by being born a middle child – I was often ignored! So I started impersonating SNL characters, cartoons, relatives or people my family knew to get attention from my parents. I also used humor as a way to escape punishment, which I deserved regularly. I knew I wanted to be a performer from a very young age. My first break was when my third-grade teacher asked who wanted to sing lead on some songs for the spring music show. No one volunteered, so she said “Cory, you’re always interrupting class and seeking attention, why don’t you do it?” I said, “Sure, no problem.” And I kinda crushed “At The Hop.” Hearing the laugh of crushing hard was probably the first drug I was addicted to. The next year in 4th grade my teacher said, “Cory, you’re always interrupting class with your jokes! The only job where you get paid to make jokes is a comedian, so what do you think you’re gonna do with your life?” I said, “I wanna be a comedian.” She said, dismissingly – “No one grows up to be a comedian.” Which was ironic because in her previous sentence, she said they did. Anyways. That hurt because she was pretty attractive, and I had a crush on her! And now I’ve been in her house many times, on her tv. So… I guess you were wrong, wanna-be dream-crusher Ms. Brown!

So then in fifth grade…… Just kidding. I’m not gonna go thru every grade. I barely made it the first time.

I was a troubled, directionless teen and fell into alcohol and drugs. Then when I was 19, my older brother Nic, who was my hero and role model, took his life. After taking a few years to try to understand that, I thought “You’ve always wanted to be a comedian and actor. Dream big and go after it. Make Nic proud that I achieved my dreams and left my tiny Wisconsin town of 3,000 people.”

I cleaned up my act, starting working at restaurants to prepare to be a waiter, as I heard all actors in LA are waiters (turns out to be pretty true) and set a goal to move to LA within two years. I did it! At 24, I attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood, thinking I was the second coming of Brando. My teachers would always say, “Why are you so serious?” I explained that I wasn’t here to mess around. I wanted to learn all I could.- “I’m new Brando!” Then one day we had to do a Shakespeare sonnet for the class and I acted out a horse and his master, totally serious, and everyone was howling with laughter. I was pissed. My teacher said, “OMG, you’re a natural comedian!” You have to focus on comedy.” He started introducing me to people as a comedian. I corrected him and said “You mean serious actor?” After struggling with being “only a comedian,” he explained that Robin Williams was a brilliant comedian but also a talented actor. And a lot of talented actors can’t do comedy. So I should feel very lucky. And then I took that in stride and started studying all my favorite comedians and actors. And then Robin Williams killed himself. It’s true. He did.

Anyway, I started doing a ton of improv after acting school, got a few national commercials. Did a ton of sketch comedy, kept regularly studying acting and worked my tail off. I’ve been in like 20 commercials, over 15 episodes of TV, a bunch of viral videos and I might have to go back to being a waiter soon. Some cool things – I was the spokesman for NFL Ticket for two years, 7 commercial spokesman for Golf now (so my dad got to be proud of me for a little while there. He loves Golf. I wish I was golf. Just kidding, he loves me, in his own very quiet way.) I’ve done scenes and been directed by Oscar, Academy and Emmy award winners, blah blah.

I was a single dad of twins for 7 years with no child support, no family out here, just grinding. So here I am, still grinding away. My twins Lloyd and Luisa are 12 now. The pandemic definitely stopped all my momentum in my career, and I ended up starting a vintage store with my lady pal Cass I met before the pandemic. It’s called YES BABY! Vintage. I have a monthly comedy show there. I was very grateful to have her come into my life, but now I can’t play the poor single dad card anymore. Unless she leaves me, then I will.

These days I am focusing on developing my standup comedy act based on my life and some writing projects. I also act when they’ll have me. Oh yeah, last year I was in a commercial with Spiderman. That was pretty cool. They gave me like $800 extra to hold a snake for like 3 seconds. Hollywood is crazy. I’m pretty excited about the future. Grateful for all who have helped and influenced me along the way. You gotta enjoy the journey, your path could change at any second.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. I booked my first commercial 13 years ago when my then-girlfriend was pregnant. With twins! We didn’t work out and I ended up taking the kids full-time for 7 years, with no family here, no child support, paying babysitters all the time. All I did for those years was; kids, comedy, make enough at a job to survive. Book a few big jobs here and there. Run out of money. Start over again. I went into severe credit card debt so I could take care of my kids. I’m very proud of that. (Taking care of my kids, that is)

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a comedian, actor and writer. Small business owner and, most importantly, a dad.

I think I’most known for “How does that guy raise kids by himself, book acting gigs, work a bar job, and perform comedy regularly. ” We’ll, a lot of days I slept for only 4 hours and then I’d catch a nap when I could.

What sets me apart from others is my willpower. When I’m faced with a challenge, I will do all I can to meet it.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My dad taught me from a young age to work hard, he put me to work at 10 years old. And I’ve never seen anyone work harder than him.

My college theater director Chuck Krebs has been very influential. He cast me as the lead in a play when I had no experience and I bombed a pretty good amount. He gave me a lot of life things to think about like “Don’t bite your nails, it makes you look insecure.” And my first acting exercise – “count the ceiling tiles.”. You were focused, doing a task in the moment. That is acting.”

A really old school Method acting coach, Ned Manderino, who studied under Strasberg. Harvey Solin at American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He used to say, “Passion, goddammit!” all the time.

A bunch of people from”The Midnight Show” at UCB. Eric Moneypenny is the best comedy writing teacher I’ve ever had. Check out his sketch classes at The Pack Theater. Jeff Sloniker, one of the funniest live performers I’ve ever seen directed the character team I started for a few years and has continued to be a mentor.

The Pack Theater as a whole has helped me grow a lot. They’re definitely supportive of alternative comedy and pushing the envelope, which I love to do. That was my comedy home for prolly four years.

Maxx Maullion was my manager for a few years, who worked for a legendary comedy manager. So I got a lot of amazing advice. “Be so good you’re undeniable.” Still working on that. But it will happen. I plan to get my big break at 48 after my kids are 18.

My mom is always encouraging me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/coryjacobcomedy