Getting to know Chris Jarell; A promising, talented and hard working entertainer on the rise

In this highlight we turn our attention to Chris Jarell a professional acting making waves within the Industry. I asked Chris a series of questions, here is what we discussed:

Tell us a little about yourself, where your from, grew up, what H.S./College you attended etc.

I was born in Chester, Pennsylvania but grew up in Philly and. the Delaware County area.

My mother and I moved to Steelton to live with my grandmother once we lost our house.

After this, we began to move around a lot.

Having faced that difficulty or many difficulties in life makes me who I am. It is a part of me and I am extremely well rounded because of it. Now, I have the ability to flourish in any environment.

As far as school is concerned, I attended Steelton-Highspire High School in Steelton, P.A.

That’s actually the school my mother and uncle graduated from so their was some heritage there.

I didn’t really do well with college.

I enrolled in a trade college at Thaddeus Stevens Technical Institute.

It wasn’t necessarily that l wasn’t capable of being a good student. It was just that my mind would day dream about what I’m doing right now and I really couldn’t focus on my work. Entertainment is my passion and it wouldn’t stop calling me.

So I ended up dropping out, only to attend a community college as a last ditch effort at obtaining some kind of degree like my family wanted me to.

I would. rule out a degree in my future. I just chose to attend “Life University” and focus on entertainment as of right now.

What inspired you to be an artist/comic/entertainer? Early experiences worth sharing?

Well, my parents tell me I was always funny, even as a child. My dad tells this story from my childhood about teaching me a song one day early in the morning called “Nick Nack Patty Wack”.

The story goes…that by the evening he had stopped to get some gas. Supposedly, while he was pumping the gas I locked all the doors and locked him out the car. He yelled for me to open the door to which I laughed and eventually did.

He says, as he was driving with me in the back he was steaming mad.

Then, I broke the silence by saying in my 3 year old accent “patty wack….give a dog bone!” He had to pull over because he was laughing so hard.

So I was basically doing call back jokes since I was 3 years old.

Fast forward 15 years, the real seed was planted by a coworker of mine who said I should try open mic. At 18 the idea stuck with me and make me think. Then one day on the job Wanda Sykes walked in and I was a little star struck. Nevertheless, while bagging her groceries, I found a way to make convo and tried to make her laugh.

She actually laughed and told me I was funny. I asked her about comedy and if I should try open mic.

She began to tell me about how she use to sneak Dave Chappelle into comedy clubs when he was in his teens. I was enthused by her story, and from that moment I said I would do it. And that has been my journey ever since.

I think what caught my attention during my childhood and teen years was watching comedians like; Dave Chappelle, Katt Williams, and Kevin Hart all Rise to fame and even before that I used to sneak down stairs and stay up to watch comic view as kid.

I always remember loving what comedians did but never really thinking of it as something to actually do let alone profession.

So between that a Wanda Sykes and my earlier encounters with comedy along with my comedic timing I think it was already written for me to be doing this.

Talk about a time where you have faced adversity/conflict and have triumphed.

When I moved back to Philly around the time I started comedy, I was homeless.

Although my finances were slim to none and I had no home, I found a college for vocational training that allowed me to go for free. So it wasn’t a hard decision even though it distracted me from comedy for a while. I did what I had to do until I could do what I wanted to do.

So once I dropped out of school for the last time I decided to just drop everything and go to New York City and try to figure it out.

I had 46 dollars to my name and an old Chevy Cavalier and decided to fill up my gas tank and head to NYC and figure out and I wasn’t coming back until I did.

I slept in my car sometimes before auditions and stayed with friends in their dorm rooms and couch surfed.

I had to take a lot of L’s in New York before getting my first win. Which came when I booked my very 1st role in a movie called ‘Brotherly Love’.

What do you believe sets you apart from other entertainers?

I think its several things that set me apart as entertainer.

Skill wise i think my comedic improv and timing puts me in a different lane. A lot of things I’ve done on film or commercials have been on the spot improv and the directors kind of just let me do me once they see it. I love it when they just let me do me.

I think what sets me apart on a personal level is my empathy not to be confused with feeling for people which is sympathy. But putting myself in other people shoes and feeling what they feel and being patient with that is like my super power. I put up with a lot when I see fit to do so.

But I wouldn’t skate on that silver lining to often.

I also realize that we are all more similar to each other than we think. Which I feels gives me a different level of understanding of the “misunderstood” and empathy for other entertainers.

Do you have other interests or hobbies?

I’m a huge football fan and used to play in high school.

I’m a pretty athletic guy. In my spare time, when I am not entertaining, I coach youth football.

I am also interested in or Some of my hobbies. I mean I’ve experimented with yoga, boxing, Krav Maga, I really enjoy going to the gun range. I would have to say anything that requires athleticism or outdoors or percision I’m pretty much into or willing to give it a try.

Any projects you have out or currently working on?

Currently, I am shadow directing the ABC showcase called, “ABC DIVERSITY SHOWCASE”, which I was apart of in 2016.

Recently, I played young Benny Hope on the Teddy Perkins episode in the Emmy Award Winning Show, ‘Atlanta’. This was a huge moment for me. It was my smallest speaking role, but had a huge impact on my career. Meeting and working with Glover was an honor for me. He is one of the people I look up to in entertainment.

Another exciting project that I am a part of and have been working on over the summer with Thomas Jane is called, ‘ Crown Vic’. The movie will not air for another year or so.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years time, I would like to see myself on a Comedy World Tour, and to always be working on a film or on a TV set. I have big dreams and with my hustle and dedication I know my goals will be achieved.

What advice can you give to aspiring entertainers?

Its ok to make mistakes, but you can’t make excuses. Because you can own. mistake and once you own something it’s yours to do what ever you want to it. If you make and excuse your giving yourself permission to become complacent. And complacent is the where dreams die.

So make more mistakes and live your best life!

How can we follow along in your journey? Social media?

Follow me on all social media platforms @chillrell.

I am always posting about new, fun, and exciting things via social media

and remember it’s

Chris Jarell that’s 1-R-2-L’s