Jay Larson is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and director based in Los Angeles, best known for his viral "Wrong Number" routine and a career spanning over two decades in comedy.[1][2]Originally from Stoneham, Massachusetts (a suburb of Boston), Larson moved to Los Angeles in 2000 to pursue acting and writing, but soon transitioned into stand-up comedy after taking classes and writing screenplays.[3] His breakthrough came with the 2012 "Wrong Number" bit, an animated retelling of a mistaken phone call involving escalating lies about a character named Bruce, performed at the Laugh Factory and later on Conan, which has amassed over 13 million views and inspired analyses of comedic structure.[2][4]Larson's television appearances include multiple spots on The Late Late Show with James Corden, four on Conan, and a half-hour special on Comedy Central, alongside contributions as a writer for networks like Comedy Central and TruTV, and script development deals at Fox and NBC Universal.[5][6] He has released three full-length stand-up specials: Me Being Me (2019), Sounds Like Bruce (2023), and Here We Go Again (2024), available on platforms like YouTube.[7][8] In acting, he portrayed the limo driver Al in the 2017 revival of Twin Peaks on Showtime, following a role in the 2015 film The Invitation.[5][9] As a director, Larson has helmed sketches for shows like The Conor Moore Show and UFC's The Nosebleeds, working with talents such as Tony Hale and Rob Corddry.[1]With a background in college baseball and a continued interest in sports, Larson also writes for video games like NBA 2K18 and, as of 2025, is developing a single-camera comedy series based on his stand-up material while finishing freelance film scripts.[1][10]
Early life
Childhood and family background
Jay Larson was born and raised in Stoneham, Massachusetts, a suburban town north of Boston.[11][12]As the youngest of four siblings—two sisters and one brother—he grew up in a single-parent household led by his mother, alongside his grandmother (known as Nana) and three great-aunts, following his father's absence from family life.[13]This matriarchal dynamic, characterized by close-knit female relatives, exposed Larson to diverse perspectives on relationships and daily interactions, which he later credited with informing his observational humor.[13][1]In his Stoneham childhood, Larson often shared quiet evenings with his mother, sneaking out of bed to watch late-night shows like Johnny Carson, an activity that sparked his fascination with comedy and storytelling.[12]He developed an early affinity for sitcoms such as Three's Company, Cheers, and Seinfeld, whose portrayals of quirky family and community life echoed the everyday absurdities of his suburban surroundings and home environment.[12]These formative experiences in a supportive yet unconventional family setting nurtured Larson's knack for drawing humor from personal anecdotes and relational nuances.[13]
Education and early career aspirations
Larson graduated from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1999, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.[14] During his time at the college, he participated in extracurricular activities that highlighted his athletic and performative interests, including playing on the school's baseball team.[1]In his senior year, Larson took on the role of the Rabbi in the college's production of Fiddler on the Roof, marking one of his early experiences in theater and performance.[14] This involvement, alongside his English studies, fostered an appreciation for storytelling and character portrayal, laying groundwork for his creative pursuits.Immediately following graduation, Larson relocated from his hometown of Stoneham, Massachusetts, to Los Angeles in 2000 to chase opportunities in writing and acting.[15][16] His decision reflected early aspirations shaped by college experiences, where theater and literature inspired a desire to engage in narrative-driven entertainment, building on a foundation of interests nurtured in his Stoneham upbringing.[11]
Career
Stand-up comedy beginnings
After graduating from college, Jay Larson moved to Los Angeles in 2000, where he initially pursued acting and writing before transitioning into stand-up comedy.[15] He began performing stand-up in Los Angeles in 2001, starting with open-mic nights and late-night spots at local clubs, which marked the onset of his professional comedy career.[1]In his early years, Larson faced typical challenges for aspiring comedians, including inconsistent bookings and the demands of refining material through repeated trial and error in front of small audiences. These experiences helped him develop a personal storytelling style, characterized by amplifying everyday life moments into relatable, narrative-driven routines that connected with listeners on an emotional level. By focusing on authentic anecdotes rather than traditional punchlines, he gradually built a distinctive voice that emphasized vulnerability and humor in ordinary struggles.[1][17]A significant breakthrough came in 2004 when Larson became a paid regular at The Comedy Store, a prestigious venue that provided steady stage time and exposure within the Los Angeles comedy scene.[14] This role allowed him to hone his act further and gain recognition among peers. In 2005, he debuted as part of the "New Faces" showcase at the Just for Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival, an event that highlighted emerging talents and elevated his profile internationally.[18] That same year, on November 16, Larson made his first late-night television appearance with a stand-up set on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, which aired on CBS and introduced his storytelling approach to a broader audience.[19]
Television and media appearances
Larson's expansion into television began with his half-hour stand-up special on Comedy Central Presents, which aired on March 11, 2011.[20] In the special, he delivered routines on topics such as dealing with bullies, encountering ringing pay phones, and overcoming déjà vu, showcasing his observational humor style.[21]On March 11, 2013, Larson performed at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Comedy Festival in Austin, Texas, as part of The Mischief showcase, where he shared the stage with comedians including Rory Scovel and Andy Peters.[22] This appearance highlighted his growing presence in major comedy festivals and live media events.[23]In 2015, Larson featured on Comedy Central's storytelling series This Is Not Happening, appearing in the first-season episode "Wonder Years" that aired on March 4.[24] He recounted a personal anecdote about cheating to win a radio contest, contributing to the show's format of comedians sharing real-life stories.[25]One of Larson's most notable media features came on January 29, 2016, when his "Wrong Number" story aired as Act Two in episode 578, "I Thought I Knew You," of the public radio program This American Life. The segment built on the story's prior virality, having reached the top spot on Reddit after a video of his stand-up performance gained widespread attention online.[26] Host Ira Glass praised it as "perfect comedy," amplifying its reach through the program's national broadcast.Prior to 2020, Larson made additional television guest spots to promote his comedy, including four appearances on Conan—notably on May 6, 2013, and July 5, 2013, where he performed stand-up sets—and segments on Tosh.0.[27] These outings, along with a 2019 stand-up spot on The Late Late Show with James Corden, further established his television profile.[28]
Podcasting and hosting ventures
Jay Larson co-hosted the podcast The CrabFeast alongside comedian Ryan Sickler from its inception on May 14, 2012, until its conclusion in December 2018, producing over 300 episodes that emphasized personal storytelling and comedic anecdotes.[29][30][31] The format featured the hosts sharing life experiences, often drawing from their stand-up backgrounds, while inviting guest comedians such as Jay Mohr in the inaugural episode and Chris Pratt for discussions on sports and personal tales, fostering a conversational style that highlighted vulnerability and humor in everyday struggles.[29][32] Through this platform, Larson contributed to the comedy podcast landscape by creating a space for unscripted narratives that resonated with listeners, amassing a dedicated audience and influencing subsequent audio storytelling ventures in the genre.[33][30]In 2014, Larson expanded into television hosting with Best Bars in America on the Esquire Network, co-hosting two seasons with comedian Sean Patton, where they toured cities to explore notable drinking establishments featured in Esquire magazine's annual lists.[34][35][36] The show blended travelogue elements with comedy, visiting locales like Milwaukee, Chicago, San Francisco, Brooklyn, and Washington, D.C., to sample dives and upscale bars while engaging in lighthearted banter and interactions with locals and experts, such as cocktail historian David Wondrich.[34][37][38] Larson's hosting role showcased his improvisational skills, contributing to the program's appeal as a humorous guide to American bar culture before it concluded after the second season in 2015.[35][36]Following a period focused on other projects, Larson launched The Dust Up in February 2024 as co-host with Al Madrigal, under the All Things Comedy network, examining historical conflicts through a comedic lens with weekly deep dives into feuds, fights, and melees.[39][40][41] The podcast's format involves the hosts dissecting events like the 2004 Malice at the Palace basketball brawl or the Tupac Shakur-Biggie Smalls rivalry, incorporating research, interviews, and humorous analysis to unpack cultural impacts without sensationalism.[42][43] The podcast released episodes through mid-2024, solidifying Larson's role in narrative-driven audio content that bridges history and comedy, with collaborations enhancing its exploration of interpersonal and societal tensions.[40][44]
Acting and writing projects
Larson made his feature film acting debut as Ben in the psychological thriller The Invitation, directed by Karyn Kusama, where he portrayed a friend attending a dinner party that unravels into tension and paranoia.[45] This role, released in 2015, marked an early step in his transition from stand-up comedy to scripted screen work.[9]In 2017, Larson appeared in two episodes of the third season of Twin Peaks on Showtime, playing Al, a limo driver employed by the Silver Mustang Casino in Las Vegas. His scenes involved transporting key characters amid the series' surreal narrative, contributing to the revival's atmospheric ensemble under David Lynch's direction.[9]Larson took on multiple on-screen roles in The Conor Moore Show, a golf-themed sketch comedy series on Golf Pass, where he portrayed the recurring character Jay alongside various supporting parts such as Lucky Lyle and Clarence Gobbler across episodes from 2020 onward.[46] He also served as head writer and director for the show's three seasons, blending his comedy background with sports satire.[1]In the 2023 Peacock series Better Off with Hally Leadbetter, a golf prank and sketch show, Larson acted in several segments while directing all sketches, helping craft viral comedic bits that merged athletic challenges with humorous pranks.[1]As a screenwriter, Larson secured script deals with Fox and NBC Universal, through which he developed and sold multiple projects, including two unproduced television shows created specifically for NBC.[1][47] These deals highlighted his ability to adapt personal comedic experiences into scripted formats, though neither advanced to production.[48]Larson contributed as a writer to pilots for Comedy Central and TruTV, providing material for developmental comedy series that explored observational humor in short-form and episodic structures.[1][15] By 2025, he was completing two freelance film scripts in development and advancing a new single-camera comedy series inspired by his stand-up routines, focusing on everyday absurdities.[1]
Personal life
Family and relationships
Jay Larson has resided in Los Angeles since moving there in 2000 to pursue a career in acting and writing.[8] He is the father of one daughter and one son.[28] His marriage ended in divorce right before the COVID-19 pandemic.[49] Following the divorce, Larson has navigated single fatherhood while maintaining strong ties to his children through co-parenting and shared family experiences in Los Angeles.[49] As of October 2025, he participates in family outings with his children, such as apple picking.[49] These life events have occasionally informed his stand-up comedy material.[50]
Health challenges and recovery
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jay Larson, like many performers, grappled with the emotional toll of isolation and uncertainty in the entertainment industry, which halted live shows and forced a reevaluation of daily life. To cope, he and his family posted daily riddles on their front lawn in Mar Vista, California, aiming to foster community and levity amid widespread anxiety.[51] This creative outlet provided a way to share positivity during a period of profound disruption.In addition to emotional strain, Larson has discussed physical health concerns, including random chest pains. In a 2025 podcast episode, he connected these to thoughts on longevity and fatherhood.[52]
Works
Stand-up specials and albums
Jay Larson's debut comedy album, Self Diagnosed, was released in 2011 by Aspecialthing Records, featuring 22 tracks recorded live at the Hollywood Improv on April 7, 2011.[53] The album showcases his early storytelling style through observational humor on everyday absurdities, including routines about embarrassing purchases, single motherhood, and marching band experiences, emphasizing relatable family dynamics and personal quirks over 59 minutes of material.[54]His follow-up album, Human Math, arrived in 2016, also via Aspecialthing Records, with 16 tracks captured live at the Laughing Skull Lounge in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 29 and 30, 2015.[55] Clocking in at 54 minutes, it highlights Larson's conversational approach to life's ironies, delving into themes like taking life for granted, adult children, and fleeting relationships, blending narrative depth with punchy delivery to explore human connections.[56]Transitioning to video specials, Me Being Me premiered in 2017 and was made available on Larson's YouTube channel in 2019, marking his first full-hour visual comedy project.[7] The special employs a intimate, confessional style, weaving personal reflections on marriage, parenting challenges, and loss—such as the emotional impact of a parent's death—into a 62-minute set that prioritizes emotional authenticity alongside humor.[7]In 2023, Larson self-produced and released Sounds Like Bruce on YouTube, filmed at The Creek and The Cave in Austin, Texas.[57] This hour-long special adopts a highly interactive, audience-engaged format, drawing on observational anecdotes about daily routines, technology mishaps, and family life, with a conversational tone that invites improvisation to heighten relatability.[57]Larson's most recent special, Here We Go Again, debuted on YouTube in September 2024, filmed at the World Famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles.[8] Over 60 minutes, it revisits signature routines from his career through a matured lens, incorporating themes of recovery and personal growth to offer updated perspectives on aging, resilience, and life's recurring absurdities.[8]
Notable viral content and stories
One of Jay Larson's most renowned viral pieces is his stand-up routine "Wrong Number," in which he recounts answering an unknown call from a panicked business executive mistaking him for "Bruce" and improvising a chaotic negotiation over budget cuts.[27] The bit, first performed at the Laugh Factory in 2012, gained widespread acclaim for its escalating absurdity and relatable humor about everyday phone mishaps.[58] It was later featured in his 2023 comedy special Sounds Like Bruce, named after the fictional persona he adopts in the story.[57]The routine's popularity exploded with a 2013 appearance on Conan, where the clip amassed over 4.6 million views on YouTube, establishing it as a benchmark for viral stand-up storytelling.[27] Critics have praised its structure, noting how Larson masterfully builds tension through audience interaction and vivid reenactments, turning a mundane scenario into a masterclass in comedic timing.[2] Clips of the bit continue to circulate on platforms like TikTok, often garnering hundreds of thousands of likes and shares for its timeless appeal.In recent years, Larson has shared other stories that have resonated online, including a 2024 Don't Tell Comedy set featuring a "road rage" anecdote about a tense highway encounter resolved through unexpected empathy.[59] The clip, posted in early 2025, quickly accumulated over 70,000 likes on TikTok, highlighting Larson's skill in transforming personal frustrations into humorous insights on human behavior. These narratives underscore his ongoing ability to craft relatable, shareable content that blends observational comedy with vivid storytelling.