Jessica Kirson

Jessica Kirson (born November 14, 1969) is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and producer. Kirson is known for performing regularly at comedy venues in New York City, including Gotham Comedy Club, Laugh Factory, Caroline's, and the Improv.

Early life

Kirson was born and raised in South Orange, New Jersey, and is of Jewish descent. Before her family moved from Europe to the United States, their last name was Kirschenbaum which means “cherry tree.” 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.

Kirson graduated from Columbia High School in 1987. She described herself as a 'major class clown' who loved to make people laugh. Kirson is the stepsister of both actor Zach Braff and writer Joshua Braff, whose father married her mother when she was an adolescent. With the intention of becoming a therapist, Kirson graduated from the University of Maryland in family studies and from New York University with a Master of Social Work.

Career

Kirson 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. Other projects include her series ''The Call Girls'' with longtime friend and comedian Rachel Feinstein. In 2016, Kirson acted in and served as a consultant, producer, and writer on the Robert De Niro film '' The Comedian''. Kirson was an executive producer and appeared in the documentary '' Hysterical'' which follows a group of female comedians, on and off stage.

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''. Kirson is also a contributor on ''The Howard Stern Show'', where she produces and stars in prank calls for the program.

Comedic style

In her comedy, Kirson often narrates personal experiences of sobriety, her Jewish upbringing, and her identity as a lesbian, utilizing "gallows humor" and "biting, often crass asides." 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." Commenting on her approach to comedy, Kirson said:

She has cited Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett among her comedic influences.

Personal life

Kirson has four children. She has been open about her struggle with food addiction as well as substance abuse throughout her life.

Filmography

Film

Television

Discography

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kirson, Jessica
1969 births
Living people
American LGBTQ comedians
American people of Austrian descent
American people of Polish-Jewish descent
Columbia High School (New Jersey) alumni
Comedians from Essex County, New Jersey
Jewish American comedians
Jewish women comedians
Lesbian comedians
Lesbian Jews
New York University alumni
New York University School of Social Work alumni
People from South Orange, New Jersey
University of Maryland, College Park alumni
21st-century American comedians
21st-century American LGBTQ people