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Jon Reep

Jon Reep (born March 26, 1972) is an stand-up and from , best known for winning the fifth season of NBC's in 2007 and for portraying the enthusiastic "Hemi guy" in a series of Dodge Ram truck commercials starting in 2004, where he popularized the "That thing got a Hemi?". Reep attended in Raleigh, where he began performing , before moving to in 2000 to pursue acting and comedy professionally. His early career included appearances on and a recurring role as the dim-witted Gerald Bob on the ABC sitcom Rodney from 2004 to 2006. In film, Reep played the pot-smoking farmer Raymus in Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008) and appeared in the disaster thriller Into the Storm (2014). On television, he guest-starred in shows such as , the final season of (2013), , American Dad!, and . Reep's comedy style features a Southern and humor centered on family, relationships, and pop culture, often incorporating and crowd work; he has released stand-up specials including Metro Jethro (2009) and Ginger Beard Man (2017). As a nationally touring performer, he has appeared at venues like the Grand Ole Opry and comedy clubs across the . In September 2025, Reep was arrested in , on one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and nine counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, following an investigation prompted by a tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children; he was released on a $260,000 bond. As of September 2025, the case was pending.

Early years

Early life

Jonathan David Reep was born on March 26, 1972, in . Reep was raised in a working-class household in the rural Southern town of , often referred to as the "furniture capital of the world" during his youth due to its prominence in the furniture manufacturing industry. His father, David William Reep, worked as the manager of a tire store and served as a part-time police officer, while his mother, Betty Pitts Reep, was a receptionist at Sprint. He has one younger brother, Jason Michael Reep. The area's cultural elements, including its proximity to —Hickory being the hometown of Winston champion —contributed to the Southern, country-infused environment that later shaped Reep's comedic persona. In 1992, at the age of 20, Reep relocated from Hickory to Raleigh, North Carolina, transitioning from his rural roots to a more urban setting; he later attended North Carolina State University.

Education

Reep graduated from Fred T. Foard High School in Hickory, North Carolina, in 1990. After high school, Reep moved to , in 1992 to enroll at , where he majored in theater, , and . During his time at the university, he began exploring , performing at open-mic nights at Goodnight's Comedy Club near campus, which marked his initial forays into . He graduated with a degree in 1997. Following , Reep briefly worked in production roles at UNC-TV ( Television), serving as an on programs such as North Carolina Now and Legislative Week in Review. He left this position in 1998 to pursue full-time.

Jon Reep began his professional career in 1998 after leaving his position as a at UNC-TV in , where he had worked following his . He initially performed in local clubs across , developing a "contemporary " perspective that blended his rural Southern roots with observations on urban life. This style, often characterized by high-energy delivery and character-driven humor, quickly gained traction in regional scenes. A pivotal breakthrough came in 2000 when Reep was invited to perform at the Just for Laughs festival in , , an event that showcased emerging talent and provided exposure to industry professionals. The positive reception there prompted him to relocate to shortly afterward to advance his career in comedy and acting. Building on this momentum, Reep continued honing his act through club performances and college gigs nationwide. Reep achieved national prominence in 2007 by winning the fifth season of NBC's , a reality competition that highlighted his relatable Southern humor and stage presence, solidifying his reputation as a rising star in stand-up. The victory led to increased bookings and television opportunities, further elevating his profile. Throughout his career, Reep has released several comedy specials that capture his signature blend of rural anecdotes and everyday absurdities. His half-hour aired in 2006, featuring routines on childhood memories, beer enthusiasm, and impressions like an referee. In 2009, he starred in the one-hour special Jon Reep: Metro Jethro, recorded live in , which introduced his "Metro Jethro" persona—a sophisticated take on small-town life versus city slicker challenges. Later specials include Jon Reep: Ginger Beard Man (2017), available on , where he delves into topics like outdated laws and personal quirks. He also appeared in the ensemble special Brad Paisley's Comedy Rodeo (2017), contributing to a night of country-infused comedy alongside host and other performers. Since the early 2000s, Reep has maintained a rigorous national touring schedule, performing in comedy clubs, theaters, and festivals across the , often selling out venues with his high-octane sets. His routines frequently explore Southern stereotypes, beer culture, and impressions—such as mimicking childhood dances or authority figures—delivered with relentless energy and clever wordplay to connect with diverse audiences. Prior to 2025, Reep continued active club performances while expanding into to complement his stand-up work, including Country-ish with Jon Reep (formerly Fried w/ Jon Reep), a comedy-focused show featuring Southern-flavored discussions, and Carolina Reeper with Jon Reep, which ties into his "Metro Jethro" persona through humorous storytelling and guest interviews. These platforms allowed him to engage fans between and specials, keeping his material fresh and rooted in his observational style. Following his arrest in 2025 (see [[Personal life#Legal issues|Legal issues]]), several scheduled live performances were canceled.

Advertising and commercials

Jon Reep debuted in national television advertising in 2004 with a series of commercials for Dodge Ram trucks, where he portrayed a rugged Southern character known as the "Hemi Guy." In these spots, Reep delivered the iconic catchphrase "That thing got a Hemi?" to highlight the power of the vehicle's Hemi engine, often in humorous scenarios emphasizing truck features like towing capacity and off-road performance. The campaign featured multiple advertisements airing from 2004 through the mid-2000s, with Reep appearing in at least six national TV spots produced by the Group. His portrayal leveraged a thick Southern and comedic timing to to a broad audience, positioning the Ram as a of toughness and reliability. These commercials significantly boosted Reep's visibility, transitioning him from a struggling stand-up to a recognizable national figure and leading to increased bookings for live performances and subsequent television opportunities. Beyond the Dodge campaign, Reep made sporadic appearances in other regional and national advertisements, often drawing on his comedic style and accent for humorous effect in automotive-related promotions.

Television career

Reep's breakthrough in television came with his recurring role as the dim-witted police officer Gerald Bob on the ABC sitcom Rodney, where he appeared in 12 episodes across two seasons from 2004 to 2006. The character, involved in humorous mishaps and romantic subplots, allowed Reep to draw on his North Carolina roots for authentic Southern humor. His visibility increased after winning the fifth season of NBC's reality competition Last Comic Standing in 2007, a victory that highlighted his stand-up skills on national television and opened doors to scripted roles. Following this, Reep made guest appearances in family-oriented shows, including as Leslie, a bumbling goodwill worker, in the 2010 Good Luck Charlie episode "Blankie Go Bye-Bye." He later portrayed the Owner in the 2015 Black-ish episode "Martin Luther sKiing Day," continuing to play characters with folksy, relatable charm. In premium cable, Reep took on a more substantial recurring part as Jed Forney, the brother-in-law of protagonist Kenny Powers, in four episodes of the final season of HBO's in 2013. Transitioning to animation, he voiced the character Cleonard in the 2020 American Dad! episode "Dammmm, Stan!," infusing the role with his signature . Reep's television work consistently emphasized his Southern comedic archetype, blending and regional stereotypes across sitcoms and .

Film career

Reep made his debut in 2008's Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, directed by and , where he portrayed Raymus, a dim-witted, pot-smoking farmer involved in a memorable comedic sequence alongside the protagonists. His performance leveraged his Southern drawl and physical humor, drawing from his stand-up background to contribute to the film's stoner tone. In 2014, Reep appeared in the disaster-action film Into the Storm, directed by Steven Quale, playing Reevis, a laid-back storm chaser who provides comic relief amid the tornado chaos. The role highlighted his ability to inject humor into high-stakes scenarios, partnering with co-star Kyle Davis as fellow chasers navigating . Reep's subsequent film work has been limited to supporting or cameo roles in independent comedies, such as voicing the inquisitive spaceship computer Hetfield in the 2021 sci-fi parody Astro Loco. These appearances, often uncredited or minor, continue to emphasize his persona as a bumbling, accent-heavy everyman, building on visibility from his television success without transitioning to leading parts.

Personal life

Family and marriages

Jon Reep married Genta Trimble on October 5, 2007, in , . The marriage ended in in March 2013, when Trimble filed for the dissolution; no children were born during their union. Following his , Reep wed his longtime girlfriend, Jodie Stidham Patterson, on April 15, 2023, in a surprise ceremony presented as a "Second Chance Prom" event. The couple remains married as of 2025. Reep and Patterson reside in Hickory, North Carolina, where he purchased a home for $680,000 in June 2023. There is no public information available regarding children from either marriage. Reep has spoken in interviews about embracing a low-key lifestyle while staying connected to his heritage, often incorporating elements of his rural upbringing into his personal routines.

Legal issues

On September 5, 2025, comedian Jon Reep was arrested in Catawba County, North Carolina, by the Hickory Police Department following an investigation initiated by a cyber tip received on April 15, 2025, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding suspected child sexual abuse material. The tip led to the identification of an online account linked to Reep, prompting a search warrant that resulted in the seizure of multiple electronic devices containing illicit images and videos. Reep, whose legal name is Jonathan David Reep, was indicted by a Catawba County grand jury on that same day on one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and nine counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, all felonies under North Carolina law related to the possession of child sexual abuse material depicting victims aged 1 to 14 years old. His bond was set at $260,000, which he posted, leading to his release from custody. An initial court appearance occurred on September 8, 2025, where an attorney represented him; as of November 2025, the case remains ongoing with no reported resolution or trial date. The arrest prompted immediate professional repercussions, including the cancellation of Reep's scheduled performance at the on September 14, 2025, as part of his "Popsicle Tour," with refunds issued to ticket holders. Another show at the Paramount Theatre in , originally set for September 5, 2025, was rescheduled to a later date. These developments, combined with the removal of his official website and presence, have raised concerns about the broader impact on his stand-up touring career.

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