His a Haitian comedian who wants you to laugh at his truth, no matter how ugly it may get at times. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Jonas Jeannot. The Brooklyn, NY native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Jonas Jeannot
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @Joclownz/@Jocleezy/@Joclownz/@JonasJeannot
Years in Comedy: 15
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Flatbush Misdemeanors
Comedic Influences: Martin Lawrence, Eddie Murphy, Brooklyn Mike, Turae Gordon, Marshall Brandon, Talent Harris & Patrice O’Neal
Favorite Comedy Album: George Lopez “Team Leader”
Favorite Comedy Special: Eddie Murphy “Raw,” but it really hard to just pick one.
Favorite Comedy Movie: Borat
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Martin
Favorite Comedic Character: Dr. Evil/Borat
Favorite City to Perform In: Brooklyn
Favorite Topics to Joke About: My Life
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: The type that comes to laugh.
Favorite Comedy Club: Miami Improv
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
Every day almost every moment, I made someone laugh, so when I saw comedians in TV shows and movies, that’s how I discovered I had a passion for doing comedy because I love to make people laugh.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I was super nervous, like bubbles in my stomach, I wrote like 10 mins of material, but when I got on stage 10 mins was done in 5 mins and I did some improv and killed. I never looked back.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Next-door neighbor w/ animated storytelling.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I take personal situations and squeeze the funny, relatable things out of them. So most of my stuff comes from conversations with regular people or comics. Then I take to the stage and kinda work it out on the stage, I record most of my sets then I listen to it and add tweaks to my next performance until I get the laughs I want from the particular joke.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
New York is the greatest place on earth to do comedy. It’s probably 100 + shows a week. It’s like the great adventure for comedy everywhere you look, it’s a thrill, and the best part about it is any given night, you might have to go after Chapelle or Rock just because they stopped by. It’s a Roller coaster drug and it has its up and downs as you go but the ride is always worth it.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
For me, it’s being able to pay bills and lives a comfortable life if my girlfriend and side chick wants something for Christmas, I can afford it, that kind of comfortable. I’m just joking I don’t celebrate Christmas, not for religious reasons but for financial reasons. I also don’t have a girlfriend for financial reasons as well.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Reggie Conquest, Jatty Robinson, Alex Babbitt, Courtney Blesdoe, Eva Evans, just to name a few because there are so many I can name, but these are the ones who performed for my comedy special, which is out right now (Laughs).
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Recording my first comedy album/special
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
One bomb or boo is just important as a laugh or applause; regardless of the outcome, go back on stage and get better.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They want to be around me all the time, laughter is a drug everyone loves, and I’m the kingpin. I keep mentioning drugs, and I don’t know why I don’t even do drugs. (Laughs)
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
One joke at a time until you have 5 mins, then 5 turns into 10 into 15 into 30 into one hour, the holy grail.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
I want to say cancel culture, but I don’t want to get canceled (Laughs), so I’m not going to say it; see my point. It makes comedy not be comedy by being too comforting on topics or words that you’re not supposed to touch, but it really defeats the purpose of comedy, which is derived from tragedy and painful things.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Sugar Bear gave me a good one on crowd work; he said if you’re going to talk about someone in the crowd, make sure you bring them up before you bring them down because that can save your set and your face.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“To Be Honest” which I did release this week.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I was at this celebrity penthouse for a fight night, the best time of my life until the end of the night, my cousin that I was living with at the time called me to inform me that we had bed bugs and to shake my bag to make sure I didn’t have it on me. I was sitting on a white couch with a white carpet.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
A corner store is literally on aisle 5. There’s nothing like bombing next to expired milk.
A Jonas Jeannot Fun Fact:
I can sing but not like Usher, but if we are at karaoke you might think it’s Usher or Mario if you close your eyes.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
Movies, TV Shows, and Tours
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Hit the stage as much as you can. That’s your best teacher.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I think with so much content on the internet when you have something really amazing, it sticks out because it so much mediocre things out now.
If you could choose one comedy club and three comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Any Comedy Club w/ Dave Chapelle, Chris Rock, & Bill Burr.
I think everyone would do great, but they would be arguing about who wants to follow me j/k. I think it would be the greatest show ever!
What’s next for you:
I wrote a web series with my good friend Jatty last year; we getting ready to shoot it this summer, and I’m working on my one-hour special.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because laughter is a great meditation, and when you’re laughing, you are only thinking about a happy thought, even if it’s for a second; laughter is a positive energy everyone needs in their life.
Follow Jonas Jeannot’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Jonas Jeannot
Youtube: Jonas Jeannot
Personal Website: Jonas Jeannot
