Jesus Trejo (Spanish: [xeˈsus ˈtɾexo]; born 1986)[1] is an American writer, comedian, and producer. He has released two stand-up specials, Stay At Home Son (2020) and Practicing (2023). He has acted on Mr. Iglesias and This Fool, for which he was also a writer. He hosts and produces the web series Tacos Con Todo and the PBS series Roots of Comedy.

Jesus Trejo
Born1986 (age 37–38)
Long Beach, California, U.S.
MediumTelevision, stand-up, film
Alma materCal State Dominguez Hills
SubjectsFamily, everyday life, pop culture
Websitewww.jesustrejo.com

Career

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Trejo began performing stand-up in his early twenties, primarily performing at the Comedy Store, where he also worked the door and as a valet, until working his way up to paid performances.[2]

His first recurring acting role was on the TBS sitcom Sullivan & Son.[3] In 2018 he starred in the AARP documentary Care to Laugh about being the primary caregiver to his parents, who were each battling cancer, while gaining popularity as a stand-up comic.[1] In 2019 he was a recurring character on the Netflix sitcom Mr. Iglesias.[1]

Trejo released his first one-hour special Stay At Home Son on Showtime in May 2020, which "explores his life as first generation Mexican-American, growing up with immigrant parents and everything from running his first marathon to winning his first fight."[4] He is the executive producer and host for the First We Feast web series Tacos Con Todo where he tries different taco restaurants with other comedians.[5][6] He had a minor acting role on Hulu's This Fool (2022–2023) and was also a staff writer.

He released his second comedy special Practicing on YouTube in 2023.[7][8] That year he also published the children's book Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock as a tribute to children with fathers who work as landscapers, his father's profession when he was growing up.[5] It was published in both English and Spanish.[9] His second children's book, Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas, was written in honor of his late mother's love of plants.[6] His mother passed away in 2023.[8] It will be released in September 2024.[6]

Trejo produces and hosts the 2024 PBS series Roots of Comedy, where he travels around the United States to talk to rising comedians.[8]

Personal life

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Trejo was born and raised in Long Beach, California, the only child[8] of Mexican immigrant parents from Jalisco and Sinaloa.[5][1] He was raised speaking Spanish.[5] Trejo attended Wilson High School and received his bachelor's degree from Cal State Dominguez Hills in business marketing.[1]

Trejo is married to Adria Marquez.[10]

Accolades

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  • 2017 –Variety's 10 Comics to Watch[5]
  • 2024 – Pura Belpré Children's Author Award (for Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock)

Works

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Comedy specials

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Books

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  • Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock (El Barrilito Mágico de Papá), 2023, United States, Minerva ISBN 9781662651045 publication date June 6, 2023
  • Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas (Las Magníficas Plantitas Bailadoras de Mamá), 2024, United States, Minerva ISBN 9781662651069 publication date September 10, 2024

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Why AARP produced a documentary about 33-year-old Long Beach-born comedian Jesus Trejo". Press Telegram. 2020-08-26. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  2. ^ "My Favorite Taco ~ Comedian Jesus Trejo ~ L.A. TACO". lataco.com. 2016-01-26. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  3. ^ McCarthy, Sean L. (2020-05-30). "'Jesus Trejo: Stay At Home Son' Review: Stream It or Skip It?". Decider. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  4. ^ "'I Hope It Resonates With People': Jesus Trejo On Showtime Comedy Special 'Stay At Home Son' - CBS Baltimore". www.cbsnews.com. 2020-05-29. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  5. ^ a b c d e Conde, Arturo (2024-05-24). "Comedian Jesus Trejo looks at the family stories 'behind the jokes' in new series". NBC News. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  6. ^ a b c Panuncial, Diana (2024-02-19). "Newsmaker: Jesús Trejo". American Libraries Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  7. ^ Seabaugh, Julie (2023-12-27). "L.A. stand-up specials stand out in a year of DIY comedy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  8. ^ a b c d Flores, Andrea (2024-06-04). "Jesus Trejo goes behind the laugh on new PBS series 'Roots of Comedy'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  9. ^ Morse, Libby (2023-06-23). "Spring 2023 Flying Starts: Jesús Trejo". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  10. ^ Sutton, Roger. "Jesús Trejo and Eliza Kinkz Talk with Roger". The Horn Book. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
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