JASON STUART is a prolific character actor & stand-up comic. Born in the Bronx and raised in the Fairfax district of Los Angeles, and now residing in Palm Springs and lives next door to his 85 year old Jewish mother Gloria, but does not live with her! Stuart is a self-described insecure Jewish kid who turned to theatre and performing to mask his emerging sexual identity. He confesses, “Barbra Streisand in “Funny Girl” saved my life”. Streisand inspired him in such a deep way that was indescribable, and like many other gay men of a certain age…ironically found himself attracted to Omar Sharif. He has concurred type casting by playing “Joseph Randall” a heterosexual, Christian, plantation owner in 1831. A major supporting role in one of the most talked about films in recent history in “The Birth Of A Nation” from filmmaker Nate Parker. The drama reflected the prejudice he’s fought against his entire life and gave him the kinda confidence that he has today. Stuart, a LGBTQ rights advocate through his subtle characterizations, reflects his enlightenment to his life’s calling by combining his humanitarian beliefs with his mastery of the craft of acting. As a teenager he played Santa Claus in a play. Wearing a fat suit afforded him the insight that being a Jewish and closeted gay teenager was like wearing a Santa fat suit. Being a huge fan of “I Love Lucy,” Stuart saw Ms. Ball got the biggest laughs when she was pregnant. He realized the key to great acting is doing the unexpected, and performed the role as if he was “Lucy” pregnant! A formula that’s worked for him, and he hasn’t looked back since.
Hollywood began to take notice by casting him in films like “Kindergarten Cop,” “Vegas Vacation,” and TV shows like “The Closer” and “My Wife & Kids.” Frustrated by years of living in the closet, Jason chose to come out publicly on an infamous episode of Geraldo Rivera focused on “Unconventional Comedians.” He went on to guesting on shows as “Goliath” opposite J.K. Simmons, “Love” from comedy guru Judd Apatow, and indie films like “Tangerine” from filmmaker Sean Baker and “Love is Strange” opposite John Lithgow and Alfred Molina. But Stuart hit comedy gold with his co-star & co-creator Mitch Hara for their Amazon comedy series “Smothered” for which won the Indie Series Awards for Best Actor In A Comedy, which lead to a wave of interest for Stuart & Hara as “Content Creators”, hitting a nerve in the zeitgeist and giving his them new material, energy, and a purpose. Their motto is “we do not wait for permission to create”. They are now in post production on season 2 which will drop in the fall.
These days, Jason keeps his comedy chops polished through stand-up gigs all over the country with his recent comedy album “I’m The Daddy And I Have Candy” that’s been featured on Sirius XM Radio. Jason’s also an in demand speaker on diversity in the workplace with his autobiography “Shut Up, I’m Talking!”. In addition, he serves as the National Co-Chairman of the SAG-AFTRA LGBTQ Committee, which he co-created in 2004. He’s also recently completed a number of projects that are streaming with diverse roles such as the thriller “Immortal” opposite Sam Levine & starring Dylan Baker & Tony Todd, the action film “Abducted” on Showtime (playing detectives in both) and a starring role in the indie drama “Hank” from director Hongyu “Neo” Li, about a couple who consider an open relationship, which continues to earn high praise at numerous festivals, including winning the Best LGBTQ Short at The Los Angeles International Film Festival and was also nominated for Best Actor at the Glendale International Film Festival.
Stuart, one of the busiest and respected actors & stand-up comic’s, always remembers the genius of Lucille Ball and the words of Viola Davis, that “My dreams had to be bigger than my fears.” Stuart keeps his eye on the big prize: A substantial role in a major Hollywood feature film. But always remembers where he came from “My Dad, who passed a 10 years ago, was a Jewish immigrant who always said to me (in a thick Polish accent, “When you go to the interview, wear a tie and show them you mean business”. Stuart took that to mean, “Be your best self”. And that’s who he strives to be.
Being Gay in a Personally Powerful Way!
As a young child, I was bullied, and often. I was a young gay boy in the 80’s, so being bullied on a daily basis was a regrettable part of my early life.
As a young gay man, I was repeatedly told to “stay in my lane”, “keep my head down”, and “stay behind the scenes” by family and friends. At that time, it was a matter of life and death (which regretfully, it often still is in some places today) and being “openly gay” just wasn’t the safe way to go.
Well, times have changed, and so have I. Holding my head down is no longer an option (really, after 1 year of that it was impossible). Anyone who knows me knows I don’t do quiet well. Life is more open and diverse now, being gay is way more acceptable, But that doesn’t mean it’s easy at first or any sort of a cake walk for anyone as they start to discover and/or embrace that they are gay. For some, it is easy. For most, it is not.
I am now a loud, proud, openly gay, liberal Jewsh man. I grew up wanting to be an actor and comedian, At that time, my dreams had no place to go. I had no one to look up to. I had no direction to understand. There were no openly gay characters on TV or in film. 40 years ago, I did not exist in a category I knew I wanted to be a part of. And now I stand before you proud to say I have over 250 credits in my IMDB profile (that’s “Hollywood talk” for my resume).
Achieving my Hollywood dreams came with struggle, challenges and many complications and setbacks along the way. I’m here to help you understand how to release all of your excess, ancient baggage that comes from being bullied, fear that comes with feeling like you don’t fit in, and early societal shame attached to sexuality.
Let me inspire you and your group to understand how to go from bullied to ballsey, and move from victim to victor in 5 transformative steps.
man who wanted to be an actor and comedian. 40 years ago I did not exist in my industry. Now diversity is the new normal. Let me show you how to release your baggage and reach the dreams you have been working for… My Dad, who passed a few years ago, was a Jewish immigrant who always said to me (in a thick Polish accent), “When you go to the interview, wear a tie and show them you mean business”. I took that to mean, “Be your best self”. And that’s whom I strive to be. With over 250 Film & TV credits to my name and 1000’s of comedy shows. I will teach your the things I did to become a successful and what you can doo to work in the field that is your passion.
Here’s what I learned and will teach to you: Steps to Your Own Victory Dance: 1) Embrace your discomfort, it’s your best friend 2) Go where your passion is, it’s always a step in the right direction 3) Become the best you can be. 3) Do all of the foot work. No one else will do it for you. 5) Make that extra call or email 4) Being uncomfortable will lead to success (and maybe even more sex and relationships). 5) How to create leads that lead to the life you want, and what to do with them I believe when you get into action with these ideas I look forward to sharing with you, people will be interested in helping you achiever your dreams too. When you walk thru any door, you will have no fear about what is on the other side. By taking action with my victim to victor roadmap, these simple methods will help you heal your harm and embrace your own power and success!
During this lecture you will also learn: A) My tried and true method of masterfully moving to the next place in your career B) Always knowing what the next move should be. C) How to Make More Money While Earning Your Own Self Respect in your industry of choice. D) My top 3 secrets that helped me get over 500 jobs.
About Jason Stuart: Stuart’s work transcends from entertainment to real-life as an advocate and mentor. As the current SAG-AFTRA’s LGBTQ Committee’s National Co-Chair and creator of the committee 15 years ago, Jason Stuart was just honored with the Jose Julio Sarria International Civil Rights Award, which was presented by the International Imperial Court System and She Persist Award (Elizabeth Warren inspired Award) for his with LGBT Actors.
I will share the intimate details of growing up and being bullied all through my school years, and being plagued with thoughts of suicide as a youth. But also share how I released the pain and will teach YOU how to LET GO and receive the serenity in your life you deserve. I have used my experience, strength and hope as an openly gay actor and comedian to support the community by performing at countless benefits for issues ranging from #Black Lives Matter, Latinx equality, Holocaust, HIV-AIDS, LGBT rights, marriage equality, Women’s Rights, Homeless, and the dignity of all regarding gender expression for the last 28 years. I am currently the national co-chairman of the first ever SAG AFTRA LGBT Committee, and in addition to producing the annual comedy benefit for Lifeworks Mentoring Program for 6 years.
I speak from my heart with humor and compassion, and in a transformative fashion builds the resolve of LGBT and questioning youth, and work to win the souls of prospective allies. I have always said, “I am no different from you. Just more people know me. Let me take you by the hand and support you into a more successful and exciting life!”
