Hey folks Sam Jones here. Welcome to another edition of off-camera, the show where I get to talk to iconic, creative, curious artists, and find out how they got that way.

And in this episode I sit down with actor, comedian, writer, improviser, and musician, Jason Manseukas.

Growing up on a little island off the coast of Massachusetts, didn't afford aspiring

performer Jason Mansukas, much room to interact with the outside world, but it was a

good place for Jason to hone his comedic skills. As he says, I was a little Greek kid in a very waspy town.

I felt very much like the other and was subjected to lots of name calling and threats.

But that's where I came into being as a funny person. I diffused

situations by making people laugh and I never got into fights. Jason's world

started to expand when he got bused to a regional high school. That's where his talent and passion for performing really took shape.

He wrote and performed in sketch shows,

played in bands, and did comedy bits for his class.

After college, Jason received the Watson Fellowship to explore abroad, but was

gripped with fear and loneliness the moment he landed in Morocco, but working through

that experience was essential to his growth.

It's why he got involved with Improv and the Upright Citizens Brigade, and it's how he persevered

through the rejection during his early acting career.

And it's why he writes, co-hosts a podcast, and has so much acting work on television and in film.

You've probably seen him in The League, Brooklyn Nine Nine Nine, The Good Place, Parks and Recreation,

the Long Dum Road, or even John Wick 3.

Jason joins off camera to talk about his nervous breakdown in Morocco,

why he'll never stop doing improv,

and by playing a maniac in the league

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