Brian Jordan Alvarez
After graduating from St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School, he was admitted into University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He continued to study acting at USC School of Dramatic Arts where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts.
For years, Brian formed part of numerous theatre productions growing up in Winchester. Since his days in the South, he has never ceased being a part of projects, big or small. While at USC, he continued to be a part of plays and cinematic projects collaborating with many of the film students. He was involved in short films, music videos, and several other acting projects. He collaborated with College Humor on an episode titled, “Gay Men Will Marry Your Girlfriends”. He has performed roles in several television shows including: WILL AND GRACE, HOT IN CLEVELAND, LIFE IN PIECES, JANE THE VIRGIN, GO-GO BOY INTERRUPTED, and 2 BROKE GIRLS.
YouTube star Brian Jordan Alvarez has signed with CAA for representation.
He’s best known as the creator and star of the popular YouTube show “The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo,” which was named IndieWire’s best web series of 2016, was nominated for a 2016 IFP Gotham Independent Film Award for breakthrough series — short form, and has resulted in a deal with Lionsgate to adapt the program for TV.
He is also the co-star of the digital series “Stupid Idiots,” which is being developed for TV with Paramount Television and Anonymous Content.
On the TV front, Alvarez has been on The CW’s “Jane the Virgin” and will recur on Epix’s upcoming comedy “Get Shorty.” He is also currently in post-production on his debut digital feature, “Everything Is Free.”
He was recently named one of Variety‘s “10 Comics to Watch” for 2017 and is managed by Shepard Smith and Sean Elliott of Authentic Talent, Literary Management, and Dean Bahat of Ziffren Brittenham LLP.
Brian Jordan Alvarez has been busy af.
On Thursday night he guest starred on the season finale of Will & Grace, a triumph that was built on years of putting his creativity out there on YouTube. More success is sure to follow.
Speaking of YouTube, his channel has released eleven new skethes in the last two weeks, though he never sacrifices quality for quantitiy.
We caught up with Brian to ask about recent work, as well as what’s in store for this versatile performer and filmmaker.
OK first the big gay elephant in the room. How did you get cast on Will & Grace and what was it like to work on such an iconic show?
I got cast by the queen of the world herself, Julie Ashton, then had an amazing session with Max [Mutchnick] and David [Kohan] who created the show before getting the official call. It all happened really fast.
Did the cast and crew treat you well?
Literally a dream come true. I have never been on a kinder, more positive set.
There have got to be so many moving parts to a sitcom like W&G — did anything surprise you about how the show is run from script to screen?
I was surprised at how much they really take from the live audience. They really care whether people are laughing, which is why the jokes are so funny. Also Sean Hayes is such a master and was very helpful anytime I got confused about technical stuff. There are a lot of cameras on you and the blocking has to be very exact.
Your sketches these days are giving us faux pas fever dream through-the-looking-glass realness, and you’ve been prolific lately! Tell us about your process — did you just make a list of every awkward situation life has to offer and start powering through them?
[Laughs] I was just getting a little antsy and hadn’t put anything up in a while. Steph and I are always riffing on jokes and situations, so these came out of that.
Stephanie Koenig, who appears in many of your videos, is a genius. There, we said it. How did you two start working together?
She is the genius. I’m so glad you agree. I’m her biggest fan. We met on a student film that we were acting in five years ago. We made each other laugh the whole night and vowed to be friends forever. And it happene
You’ve worked on some longer-form projects together as well. Stupid Idiots, her web series that you both star in, was recently acquired by Paramount for a TV adaptation. What’s the update on that?
Stupid Idiots is shooting a pilot for Comedy Central in the coming months. I am thrilled.
And your web series, The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo, is also one of our all-time favorites. Any chance of getting more episodes?
No plans for now but the future is a wide and beautiful place!
Clearly you’re not just talented, you’re extremely hard working. It’s been really amazing to see all that work get noticed more and more. What’s next for you?
You are so kind! I’ve been doing more standup, and am enjoying that a lot. Honestly… my dream is to be interviewed on Kimmel soon! Maybe Estefan Gloria on Will & Grace will make enough of an impact to get me onto my favorite talk show. Which is Kimmel y’all.