JONMAD

JONATHAN HESS IS NOT MESSING AROUND

Jonathan Hess is a Los Angeles based comedy writer and performer. His most recent half-hour comedy pilot, Bastards, is the winner of JHRTS’s Screenwriting Competition (Half-Hour Pilot Category). It has also placed in the Austin Film Festival, the Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards, the Screencraft TV Pilot Script Competition, and a few others but who has the time to type it all out. Jonathan graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Film and TV Production, was one of eight NYU students selected in 2013 to train in multi-camera television directing at the BBC Academy in London, and has worked in post production on shows such as Reboot, Grace and Frankie, A Little Late with Lilly Singh, Earth to Ned, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! Pretty eclectic entertainment background, no?

Jonathan’s writing centers authentic Jewish stories and values, and never loses sight of the silly. His stories deal with unrequited love, the absurdities of family, the lengths we go to in order to leave a legacy for our loved ones, and finding confidence in one's identity. He loves to write brutally witty, lovable but despicable protagonists with hearts of gold. Jonathan also performs stand up comedy, and trained in improv and sketch comedy at the UCB Theatre in New York between 2012 and 2016. 

Jonathan is an avid mixologist, and makes the best gin martini you’ll ever drink.  Please don’t ask him for a “vodka martini”.  That’s called a “kangaroo” and he will correct you.  Check him out on Twitter and Instagram at @jonhess1005. Writing samples and resume available upon request.

Writing

Pilot samples available upon request

Bastards

A half hour comedy about five despicable half siblings who meet for the first time at their estranged billionaire father’s funeral, where they learn they must work together to run his bed and breakfast for a summer in order to claim the vast inheritances he’s left each of them.

spare

A half hour comedy about Princess Michelle, an anti-monarchist revolutionary who becomes heir to her uncle’s throne when his son is kicked in the head by a horse and falls into a coma. From inside the palace, Michelle plots a coup to overthrow the monarchy, while the king throws a tournament to replace her as heir.

Sleep away

A half hour comedy following the exploits and misadventures of 6 best friends who return to their childhood summer camp as counselors, and learn to balance goofing off with growing up, and maybe even finding love before heading off to separate colleges in the fall.

VIDEOS

Directed by jonathan hess

You think YOUR dad's embarrassing? Produced, written, and directed by Jonathan Hess.

Written by, and Starring: Josh Eakright Directed, Shot, and Edited by: Jonathan Hess

Just switch off your damn lights and sleep! Directed and shot by Jonathan Hess.

jonathan hess produced

UCB1 gives crappy plastic trophies to the best things NYC has to offer.

Shot and edited by Jonathan hess

Meet Ray, The 80-Year-Old Deep Sea Treasure Hunter

This 80-year-old deep sea diver has lived a life underwater. From the film "Ray" by Amanda Bluglass and Danny Cooke. For more visit: Amandabluglass.co.uk and dannycooke.co.uk.

Posted by The Huffington Post on Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Meet England's 82-Year-Old Punk Rocker

This punk rock grandma continues to live life to the fullest.

Posted by The Huffington Post on Friday, March 25, 2016

The Real Meaning Of Jihad

We asked five Muslims to explain what "jihad" really means.

Posted by The Huffington Post on Monday, March 21, 2016

A 10th Grader's Emotional Plea To Elect Bernie Sanders

Tenth grader Jocelyn Quinn explains why young people love Bernie Sanders.

Posted by HuffPost Politics on Friday, February 12, 2016

jonathan hess performs in

Some Snapple-based standup that I wrote and performed as part of their "Born in New York, Made for Everyone" campaign.

Character written and performed by Jonathan Hess at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, NY Directed by Joanna Bradley UCB Character 101, Spring 2015

HEADSHOTS

Click to download.

CONTACT JON

Interested in talking to Jonathan? Get in line, dude.