Colin Jost: A Biography of Laughter and Success
Early Life and Education: Colin Jost, born on June 29, 1982, in Staten Island, New York, was raised in a family that valued education and hard work. His mother, Kerry J. Kelly, was the chief medical officer for the New York City Fire Department, and his father, Daniel A. Jost, was a teacher at Staten Island Technical High School. Growing up, Colin attended Regis High School, a prestigious Jesuit school in Manhattan, where he excelled academically and discovered his passion for comedy.
After graduating from high school in 2000, Jost enrolled at Harvard University. During his time at Harvard, he became actively involved with the Harvard Lampoon, a renowned humor publication. Jost's wit and writing skills quickly made him stand out, and he eventually served as the president of the Lampoon. In 2004, he graduated cum laude with a degree in History and Literature.
Early Career and Saturday Night Live: Following his graduation, Jost began his career as a writer and performer. He wrote for a variety of television shows, including "Kappa Mikey" on MTV and "Sesame Street" on PBS. In 2005, Jost was hired as a writer for NBC's iconic sketch comedy show, "Saturday Night Live" (SNL).
Initially, Jost worked as a writer for the show, contributing to various sketches and segments. His talent and dedication did not go unnoticed, and in 2012, he was promoted to the position of co-head writer alongside Seth Meyers. During his tenure as a writer, Jost was nominated for several Emmy Awards and won a Peabody Award in 2009 for his work on SNL.
In 2014, Jost took on a new role as the co-anchor of SNL's Weekend Update segment, replacing Seth Meyers who had left to host "Late Night with Seth Meyers." Jost's quick wit, deadpan delivery, and chemistry with co-anchor Michael Che quickly made him a fan favorite. He continued to serve as a head writer for the show while co-anchoring Weekend Update.
Other Projects and Appearances: While SNL remains his primary focus, Jost has also been involved in various other projects throughout his career. He has appeared in several films, including "How to Be Single" (2016) and "Coming 2 America" (2021). Additionally, he has made guest appearances on television shows such as "Impractical Jokers," "WWE Raw," and "Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update Summer Edition."
In 2015, Jost wrote and starred in the comedy film "Staten Island Summer," which was based on his experiences growing up in Staten Island. The film received mixed reviews but showcased Jost's ability to create and star in his own projects.
Jost has also ventured into stand-up comedy, performing at various clubs and festivals across the country. His stand-up material often draws from his personal life and experiences, including his upbringing in Staten Island and his work on SNL.
Personal Life: Colin Jost's personal life has been a subject of media attention, particularly his re...