WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.220 Imagine someone who can make you roar with laughter 00:00:02.220 --> 00:00:06.139 one moment and then just pierce your heart with 00:00:06.139 --> 00:00:08.279 a story so raw it just kind of lingers. Yeah, 00:00:08.339 --> 00:00:09.960 someone who really gets you thinking. Exactly. 00:00:10.099 --> 00:00:13.460 Someone who seamlessly weaves these deeply personal 00:00:13.460 --> 00:00:16.899 experiences into universally relatable art and 00:00:16.899 --> 00:00:19.120 across wildly different creative worlds, too. 00:00:19.660 --> 00:00:22.500 Today, we're diving into the journey of just 00:00:22.500 --> 00:00:25.399 such an individual. He's his trejo. Sounds fascinating. 00:00:25.539 --> 00:00:27.739 Oh, he is. He's an American writer, comedian, 00:00:28.039 --> 00:00:30.059 producer. I mean, he's built this incredible 00:00:30.059 --> 00:00:33.000 career. It spans from celebrated stand -up specials 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:35.960 and hosting engaging TV shows, all the way to 00:00:35.960 --> 00:00:38.700 authoring award -winning children's books. Wow. 00:00:38.920 --> 00:00:40.979 Quite the range. He's an impressive force, truly. 00:00:41.159 --> 00:00:43.560 And his impact stretches pretty far and wide. 00:00:43.820 --> 00:00:46.520 So our mission on this deep dive, essentially, 00:00:46.899 --> 00:00:50.649 is to unpack Trejo's remarkable path. We're pulling 00:00:50.649 --> 00:00:54.009 the most important insights from our source material, 00:00:54.109 --> 00:00:56.530 which is a comprehensive Wikipedia entry. Right. 00:00:57.009 --> 00:00:59.229 And we want to show you how his varied career 00:00:59.229 --> 00:01:01.609 choices aren't just random points. Yeah. They're 00:01:01.609 --> 00:01:03.509 deeply connected to the personal experiences 00:01:03.509 --> 00:01:06.510 that, you know, fuel his artistry. Giving you 00:01:06.510 --> 00:01:08.849 a shortcut. Exactly. A shortcut to understanding 00:01:08.849 --> 00:01:12.569 his unique voice and, well, his impact. OK, so 00:01:12.569 --> 00:01:16.370 get ready. We're gonna explore his roots in Long 00:01:16.370 --> 00:01:20.609 Beach, California, his determined climb in the 00:01:20.609 --> 00:01:23.829 demanding world of comedy, his significant work 00:01:23.829 --> 00:01:26.730 in television, both in front of and behind the 00:01:26.730 --> 00:01:29.549 camera, and how he so thoughtfully channels his 00:01:29.549 --> 00:01:32.489 family's story into narratives that just resonate 00:01:32.489 --> 00:01:36.370 with so many people across generations, across 00:01:36.370 --> 00:01:39.519 cultures. Great, where do we start? Well to understand 00:01:39.519 --> 00:01:42.540 how Jesus became this incredibly versatile artist 00:01:42.540 --> 00:01:44.459 we really have to start at the beginning Long 00:01:44.459 --> 00:01:46.319 Beach, California. That's where he was born in 00:01:46.319 --> 00:01:49.299 1986. Okay He's the only child of Mexican immigrant 00:01:49.299 --> 00:01:52.780 parents his family hails from Jalisco and Sinaloa 00:01:53.359 --> 00:01:55.659 and he was raised speaking Spanish, which is 00:01:55.659 --> 00:01:57.739 just like a foundational part of his identity. 00:01:58.260 --> 00:02:00.439 He went on to Wilson High School and later got 00:02:00.439 --> 00:02:03.400 a bachelor's degree, get this, in business marketing 00:02:03.400 --> 00:02:05.659 from Cal State Dominguez Hill. Business marketing, 00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:08.280 interesting. Not the usual path for a comedian. 00:02:08.539 --> 00:02:11.460 Right, but maybe, as we'll see, it kind of informs 00:02:11.460 --> 00:02:13.879 how he approaches his career. Well, that early 00:02:13.879 --> 00:02:16.199 life, you know, growing up first generation American, 00:02:16.280 --> 00:02:18.719 meaning his parents immigrated, making him the 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:21.949 first born here and being raised bilingual. That's 00:02:21.949 --> 00:02:24.810 not just background detail. No, definitely not. 00:02:24.909 --> 00:02:28.689 It's like the rich soil from which his art springs. 00:02:29.030 --> 00:02:32.009 Think of it as a dual lens, almost. Explain that. 00:02:32.110 --> 00:02:34.610 It lets him craft humor that subtly plays on 00:02:34.610 --> 00:02:37.689 things like code switching or cultural misunderstandings. 00:02:38.060 --> 00:02:40.759 He can reach a wider audience, but it also resonates 00:02:40.759 --> 00:02:43.719 really deeply with people who share his background. 00:02:43.800 --> 00:02:46.780 Without alienating anyone. Precisely. That bicultural 00:02:46.780 --> 00:02:49.180 perspective gives his work this authenticity, 00:02:49.340 --> 00:02:52.219 this depth that's truly distinctive. OK, so his 00:02:52.219 --> 00:02:54.460 real journey into comedy. It didn't start right 00:02:54.460 --> 00:02:57.639 on stage. No, no. In his early 20s, he's at the 00:02:57.639 --> 00:03:00.639 legendary comedy store in L .A., but his first 00:03:00.639 --> 00:03:03.780 jobs. Not performing, he started at the door. 00:03:03.800 --> 00:03:06.979 Okay. Then as a valet. So for years, he wasn't 00:03:06.979 --> 00:03:08.620 just watching the comedians, he was watching 00:03:08.620 --> 00:03:11.280 the audience before they even got inside. Wow. 00:03:11.740 --> 00:03:14.099 Think about that perspective. Right. Can you 00:03:14.099 --> 00:03:16.120 imagine what that gives a comic? Absolutely. 00:03:16.280 --> 00:03:19.159 I mean most aspiring comics, they study the stage, 00:03:19.379 --> 00:03:23.259 the timing, the delivery. Yeah. But Trejo was 00:03:23.259 --> 00:03:26.740 studying human behavior at its rawest. Seeing 00:03:26.740 --> 00:03:28.919 people arrive, maybe nervous, maybe excited, 00:03:29.300 --> 00:03:31.000 what they're talking about in line. He learned 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:33.199 what primes a crowd for laughter before they 00:03:33.199 --> 00:03:36.199 even sit down. That kind of real world street 00:03:36.199 --> 00:03:39.419 level understanding of crowd psychology. I mean, 00:03:39.479 --> 00:03:41.620 what makes them receptive, what anxieties they 00:03:41.620 --> 00:03:44.500 carry. That's invaluable. Yeah. It taught him 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:46.979 how to connect, not just perform to them, but 00:03:46.979 --> 00:03:49.599 really with them. From the moment they walked 00:03:49.599 --> 00:03:53.000 in. It shows profound dedication way beyond just 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:55.219 wanting stage time. And eventually, all that 00:03:55.219 --> 00:03:57.280 watching, all that work, it paid off. He earned 00:03:57.280 --> 00:03:59.620 those paid performance slots on that very same 00:03:59.620 --> 00:04:02.000 iconic stage. Had to feel amazing. Oh, I bet. 00:04:02.340 --> 00:04:04.500 And it clearly led to big things in standup. 00:04:04.819 --> 00:04:07.340 Treyo has two really acclaimed specials. The 00:04:07.340 --> 00:04:09.360 first, Stay at Home Son, that came out on Showtime 00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:12.729 May 2020. Yes, Stay at Home Son. Yeah. It's an 00:04:12.729 --> 00:04:15.750 hour long deep dive into his life as a first 00:04:15.750 --> 00:04:18.930 generation Mexican American really digs into, 00:04:18.990 --> 00:04:21.550 you know, growing up with immigrant parents and 00:04:21.550 --> 00:04:23.589 he doesn't shy away from sharing super personal 00:04:23.589 --> 00:04:25.910 stuff. Even talks about running his first marathon 00:04:25.910 --> 00:04:28.970 or like winning his first fight. Wow. Okay. His 00:04:28.970 --> 00:04:31.449 second special practicing got a wider release 00:04:31.449 --> 00:04:34.209 on YouTube in 2023. So much more accessible. 00:04:34.329 --> 00:04:37.170 Right. And what's powerful here, I think is that 00:04:37.170 --> 00:04:40.129 Trejo's genius. isn't just using personal stories 00:04:40.129 --> 00:04:42.910 in his comedy, it's how he makes them universal. 00:04:43.029 --> 00:04:45.730 How so? Well, he can take something so specific, 00:04:45.990 --> 00:04:49.009 like navigating cultural expectations from immigrant 00:04:49.009 --> 00:04:52.850 parents, and find those threads of love, struggle, 00:04:53.329 --> 00:04:55.829 duty, things that resonate with anyone who's 00:04:55.829 --> 00:04:57.689 faced family challenges, you know, regardless 00:04:57.689 --> 00:04:59.930 of background. Right, that makes sense. He uses 00:04:59.930 --> 00:05:02.949 vulnerability not just for laughs, but for genuine 00:05:02.949 --> 00:05:05.480 connection. It's about shared human experience, 00:05:05.899 --> 00:05:08.540 just presented through his unique lens. And that 00:05:08.540 --> 00:05:11.319 makes his work incredibly impactful, especially 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:13.720 for folks who might not often see their stories 00:05:13.720 --> 00:05:16.620 on mainstream stages. But his Ambarn didn't just 00:05:16.620 --> 00:05:19.180 stop at comedy clubs. He pretty quickly carved 00:05:19.180 --> 00:05:22.040 out a space in television, too. OK, acting. Yep. 00:05:22.439 --> 00:05:25.160 His first recurring acting role was on the TBS 00:05:25.160 --> 00:05:27.500 sitcom, Sullivan and Son, a good early step. 00:05:28.060 --> 00:05:30.740 Then later, 2019, he was a recurring character 00:05:30.740 --> 00:05:34.180 on that popular Netflix sitcom, Mr. Iglesias, 00:05:34.540 --> 00:05:36.899 showcased his acting chops to a bigger audience. 00:05:37.500 --> 00:05:41.560 And more recently, 2022 to 2023, he had a minor 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:44.899 acting role and was a staff writer for Hulu's 00:05:44.899 --> 00:05:48.720 critically acclaimed series, This Fool. So writing 00:05:48.720 --> 00:05:51.019 too, behind the scenes. Shaping stories from 00:05:51.019 --> 00:05:53.779 the inside. That's a real testament to his versatility. 00:05:54.360 --> 00:05:56.180 And it clearly shows he wants to shape comedic 00:05:56.180 --> 00:05:58.459 narratives in multiple ways. Yeah, not just performing. 00:05:59.040 --> 00:06:00.699 Right. Moving from his own carefully crafted 00:06:00.699 --> 00:06:03.480 standup to contributing to broader stories, both 00:06:03.480 --> 00:06:05.899 acting and writing. It shows a deep understanding 00:06:05.899 --> 00:06:07.980 of comedic structure, character development. 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:10.740 It lets him leave his mark on stories that aren't 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:13.879 solely his own, expanding his influence beyond 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:16.980 just his personal brand. It also, I think, speaks 00:06:16.980 --> 00:06:19.339 to a strategic approach to his career. He's not 00:06:19.339 --> 00:06:22.100 limiting himself to one lane. He truly doesn't 00:06:22.100 --> 00:06:24.319 stop there, though. He's also taken on significant 00:06:24.319 --> 00:06:26.199 hosting and producing roles. Oh, yeah. Likewise. 00:06:26.579 --> 00:06:29.100 He is an executive producer and host for that 00:06:29.100 --> 00:06:32.360 first WeFeast web series, Tacos Contodo. Ah, 00:06:32.500 --> 00:06:35.980 first WeFeast, Tacos Contodo. Love it. Yeah. 00:06:36.339 --> 00:06:38.540 As the name suggests, he travels to different 00:06:38.540 --> 00:06:41.920 taco spots, shares food, chats with other comedians. 00:06:42.040 --> 00:06:44.920 Great concept. Food and comedy. Totally. And 00:06:44.920 --> 00:06:48.160 then in 2024, he produced and hosted the PBS 00:06:48.160 --> 00:06:51.459 series Roots of Comedy. PBS. Interesting. Yeah. 00:06:51.459 --> 00:06:54.339 He travels the US, connects with and talks to 00:06:54.339 --> 00:06:56.959 rising comedians, gives them a platform. OK. 00:06:57.160 --> 00:07:00.000 Looking closer at these roles, what stands out 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:03.899 is his commitment. to exploring culture, especially 00:07:03.899 --> 00:07:05.660 through that shared experience of food. Yeah, 00:07:05.779 --> 00:07:08.459 the tacos. Right. And his dedication to supporting 00:07:08.459 --> 00:07:11.139 other voices in comedy. He's not just a performer 00:07:11.139 --> 00:07:13.319 focused on his own spotlight. No, he seems to 00:07:13.319 --> 00:07:15.459 be building things. Exactly. Building platforms, 00:07:15.660 --> 00:07:17.500 celebrating the rich variety of comedic talent 00:07:17.500 --> 00:07:21.220 across the country. It positions him as a connector, 00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:24.300 a champion for emerging artists, often using 00:07:24.300 --> 00:07:27.120 something as universal as tacos to bridge cultural 00:07:27.120 --> 00:07:29.660 gaps and foster community. It's a powerful way 00:07:29.660 --> 00:07:31.779 to give back, for sure, and expand the whole 00:07:31.779 --> 00:07:34.060 scene. Definitely. Now this next chapter in his 00:07:34.060 --> 00:07:36.879 life... It offers a really powerful glimpse into 00:07:36.879 --> 00:07:40.339 his character, I think. In 2018, Trejo starred 00:07:40.339 --> 00:07:43.699 in an AARP documentary. AARP, yeah. Yeah, called 00:07:43.699 --> 00:07:46.660 Kara Laugh. And this doc focused on his life 00:07:46.660 --> 00:07:48.740 as the primary caregiver to both of his parents. 00:07:49.100 --> 00:07:51.959 Both. Wow, both were battling cancer. And this 00:07:51.959 --> 00:07:54.540 was happening while he was simultaneously gaining 00:07:54.540 --> 00:07:57.040 popularity as a stand -up comic. Man, that's 00:07:57.040 --> 00:08:00.699 incredibly raw and demanding. Right. How do you 00:08:00.699 --> 00:08:03.569 think that... unique, profound vulnerability, 00:08:04.350 --> 00:08:06.750 how might that subtly, or maybe not so subtly, 00:08:06.930 --> 00:08:10.410 find its way into his humor, even in later, maybe 00:08:10.410 --> 00:08:12.389 lighter material? What makes you wonder, doesn't 00:08:12.389 --> 00:08:14.610 it? I mean, caregiving is profound, it's often 00:08:14.610 --> 00:08:17.490 demanding, and it's frequently unseen work. Really 00:08:17.490 --> 00:08:20.629 unseen, yeah. So for a rising comedian to openly 00:08:20.629 --> 00:08:23.209 share that experience, especially dealing with 00:08:23.209 --> 00:08:26.050 such personal, intense challenges, It offers 00:08:26.050 --> 00:08:29.129 this powerfully vulnerable look at life, at resilience. 00:08:29.449 --> 00:08:32.029 It just profoundly challenges our assumptions 00:08:32.029 --> 00:08:34.190 about what a comedian's life entails. Right. 00:08:34.350 --> 00:08:36.730 Reveals a depth of character, an honesty that 00:08:36.730 --> 00:08:40.029 really resonates. Yeah. The subtle ways it might 00:08:40.029 --> 00:08:43.730 seep into his work, maybe an even deeper empathy 00:08:43.730 --> 00:08:46.129 for his audience, more nuanced understanding 00:08:46.129 --> 00:08:49.570 of struggle, or perhaps just a more profound 00:08:49.570 --> 00:08:52.309 appreciation for the lighter moments in life. 00:08:52.590 --> 00:08:54.809 Layers. It adds layers. Exactly. Layers you might 00:08:54.809 --> 00:08:57.840 not... consciously recognize, but you definitely 00:08:57.840 --> 00:09:00.440 feel. And if you thought his talents ended there, 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:02.799 well, you'd be wonderfully mistaken. There's 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:06.179 more. Oh, yeah. Trejo has also authored two children's 00:09:06.179 --> 00:09:09.220 books, both deeply personal tributes. Children's 00:09:09.220 --> 00:09:11.919 books. The first one, Papa's Magical Water Jug 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:15.059 Clock, came out in 2023. It's this heartfelt 00:09:15.059 --> 00:09:18.039 honor to kids whose fathers work as landscapers, 00:09:18.360 --> 00:09:21.179 directly mirroring his own father's job. That's 00:09:21.179 --> 00:09:24.220 beautiful. Specific but relatable. And, critically, 00:09:24.759 --> 00:09:26.620 published in both English and Spanish. Oh, that's 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:28.740 significant. Hugely. And this book got major 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:31.379 recognition. It won the prestigious Pura Belpré 00:09:31.379 --> 00:09:34.720 Children's Author Award in 2024. The Pura Belpré. 00:09:34.820 --> 00:09:36.480 Wow, that's a big deal in children's literature. 00:09:36.750 --> 00:09:39.470 specifically for celebrating Latino authors and 00:09:39.470 --> 00:09:42.090 experiences. Exactly. His second book, Mama's 00:09:42.090 --> 00:09:44.409 Magnificent Dancing Plantitas, that just came 00:09:44.409 --> 00:09:47.750 out September 2024. It was written to honor his 00:09:47.750 --> 00:09:50.269 late mother's deep love of plants. His mother, 00:09:50.570 --> 00:09:54.210 sadly, passed away in 2023. Oh, wow. So very 00:09:54.210 --> 00:09:57.690 recent tributes. What's truly exceptional here, 00:09:57.950 --> 00:10:01.350 I think, is how he masterfully uses children's 00:10:01.350 --> 00:10:03.990 literature, a medium sometimes seen as just, 00:10:03.990 --> 00:10:06.539 you know, entertainment. Right. to celebrate 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:09.700 his parents' legacies, and to provide much -needed 00:10:09.700 --> 00:10:13.399 representation for often underrepresented communities 00:10:13.399 --> 00:10:15.960 and jobs. Landscapers, yeah. Not often the heroes 00:10:15.960 --> 00:10:18.580 in kids' books. Exactly. And the bilingual publication 00:10:18.580 --> 00:10:21.700 of Papa's magical water jug clock. That's particularly 00:10:21.700 --> 00:10:23.559 significant. It doesn't just honor his heritage. 00:10:23.820 --> 00:10:26.220 It fosters cultural connection, accessibility 00:10:26.220 --> 00:10:28.820 for countless families. This isn't just storytelling. 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:31.440 It's like building bridges across generations. 00:10:32.019 --> 00:10:34.620 It directly impacts how young readers, especially 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:37.240 kids from... backgrounds see themselves and their 00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:39.860 families reflected in books. Turning personal 00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:43.200 history into something universal. Yes, a universal 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:47.139 celebration of family, work, love, leaving a 00:10:47.139 --> 00:10:50.120 lasting mark. And you know his incredible talent 00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:52.320 and dedication across all these different fields. 00:10:52.340 --> 00:10:55.460 Yeah. It hasn't gone unnoticed. Clearly not with 00:10:55.460 --> 00:10:58.259 the Pierre Belpré win. Right. And even earlier, 00:10:58.419 --> 00:11:01.700 back in 2017, he was named one of Variety's 10 00:11:01.700 --> 00:11:04.399 comics to watch. That was an early sign of his 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:06.799 rising star. OK. Yeah. Good company there, usually. 00:11:06.960 --> 00:11:10.279 Definitely. And as we said, the 2024 Pura Belpré 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:13.679 Award, that's just a huge testament to his impact 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:16.279 beyond the comedy stage. These accolades really 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:19.000 underscore the sheer breadth of his creative 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:21.200 genius, his ability to connect with people through 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:23.279 all these different art forms. I'll try to resume. 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:25.840 So what does this all mean, really? We've journeyed 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:28.600 through this incredible, multifaceted career 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:32.320 of Jesus Trejo. We traced his steps from the 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:34.139 valet stand at the Comedy Store. Working his 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:36.240 way up. Working his way up to performing on that 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:38.279 very stage, then moving to the small screen as 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:40.799 an actor, as a writer, and ultimately to the 00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:43.299 pages of award -winning children's books. His 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:45.659 entire body of work, it feels like a powerful 00:11:45.659 --> 00:11:48.519 testament to how deeply personal experience is, 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:51.220 whether it's first -generation stories, the huge 00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:54.710 responsibility of caregiving. or just honoring 00:11:54.710 --> 00:11:57.250 a parent's diligent work or heartfelt passion, 00:11:57.710 --> 00:12:00.490 how all that can be transformed into universally 00:12:00.490 --> 00:12:05.409 resonant art. Absolutely. And this whole journey 00:12:05.409 --> 00:12:07.610 kind of raises a fascinating question for you, 00:12:07.669 --> 00:12:10.789 the listener. What personal stories in your life, 00:12:11.389 --> 00:12:14.039 maybe ones you think are just ordinary? or perhaps 00:12:14.039 --> 00:12:16.059 unique only to your own specific background, 00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:19.960 what stories hold universal truths? Truths that 00:12:19.960 --> 00:12:22.480 could connect with and uplift others if only 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:25.919 they were told. Makes you think. Yeah. Consider 00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:28.399 the power of your own experiences as like a wellspring 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:30.990 for connection and maybe even art. We truly hope 00:12:30.990 --> 00:12:33.409 this deep dive into Jesus Trejo's remarkable 00:12:33.409 --> 00:12:35.610 journey has inspired you, inspired you to maybe 00:12:35.610 --> 00:12:38.529 explore his comedy specials, his engaging TV 00:12:38.529 --> 00:12:40.990 shows, and especially his beautiful award -winning 00:12:40.990 --> 00:12:43.090 children's books. Yeah, check him out. His unique 00:12:43.090 --> 00:12:46.769 ability to just weave humor and heart and heritage 00:12:46.769 --> 00:12:48.769 into every single aspect of his creative life, 00:12:48.889 --> 00:12:50.929 well, it's something we genuinely encourage you 00:12:50.929 --> 00:12:51.950 to experience for yourself.