Profile: Jason Horton, White YouTube Comedian
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Jason Horton is a poster child for the new guard of actor/comedians making their own luck and harnessing the power of the Internet to reach enthusiastic niche audiences. The self-described “World’s Only White Comedian” puts out a dizzying amount of online video content, writing and performing in sketch comedy web series “Awkward With Women” and “Totally Sketch,” while continuing to perform offline with Upright Citizens Brigade and iO West in Los Angeles. He also co-hosts the weekly “Two White Guys” podcast with Jason Mattingly, in which they interview an assortment of web personalities, comedians, and porn stars. Not necessarily in that order. The New York (“by way of New Jersey”) transplant—who says he is “WAY under 50” years old—claims former careers in ditch digging, retail, and life insurance. The first and third items in that sentence seem to go together somehow. We caught up with Jason on his way to an appearance at Vidcon. |
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…representing yourself unapologetically |
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(“Awkward With Women: Robbery Date”) | ||||||||
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I’m about to head down to VidCon, meet crazed and awesome fans, old friends, make some new friends. I’m on a panel for a movie I was in called “Smiley”. First, I’m doing this interview. Priorities! |
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(“Two White Guys”interview comedians Mo Collins and Horatio Sanz) | ||||||||
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I’ve been doing live improv and sketch for a long time. Live theatre really inspires me to come up with ideas. Living a life outside of comedy and “Hollywood” helps give context to my work. |
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(“Two White Guys” with YouTube celebrity Jenna Marbles.) | ||||||||
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I optioned a screenplay called “Wingman,” borne from one of my YouTube videos. I did a sketch on Conan. Did a live sketch at the UCB theatre with Rob Huebel. Also of course, anything I do on YouTube, and with Totally Sketch. |
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(“Totally Sketch: The Morning After,” featuring Jenna Marbles) | ||||||||
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To work with the ensemble of The State/Stella. The State is what made me want to do comedy. |
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(“Two White Guys” with YouTube celebrity Kassem G.) | ||||||||
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The community of people at the iO West Theatre. Without that place, and those people, I don’t think I would be where I am today.
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(Dueling self-portraits with YouTube celebrity Grace Helbig) | ||||||||
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I love LA, I really do. I would love to do a project in NY/NY, just so I can see my family more. |
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(“Totally Sketch Comedy: Interactive Sex”) | ||||||||
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Ponderosa Steak House, age 14. |
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My girlfriend’s cats. |
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(“Awkward With Women: Overdramatic Boyfriend”) | ||||||||
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My girlfriend’s cats. |
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![]() Visit Jason Horton… www.youtube.com/jasonhorton
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