Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jude Merkel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jude, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I moved to LA at the end of 2021 and it took me 2.5 years to find full-time work in a creative field. I was really struggling to balance jobs, finances, and eventually what I really wanted to do in the entertainment industry. I tried everything: method acting at Lee Strasberg, Improv at The Groundlings, Screenwriting at UCLA Extension, and finally stand-up comedy. I feel like that was the start of everything for me. It was at this time that I was also applying for an animation writing program at Nickelodeon when I realized the common overlap, and just how many of my favorite comedians dipped into both. I researched writers on every sitcom that I liked and ended up reaching out to one, Joe Wengert. I knew he worked on shows with Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, and loved his comedic sensibilities. I knew he was the right person to reach out to, so we got coffee in December of 2023. I didn’t hear from him for six months, I was down on my luck and thinking of quitting comedy and moving out LA when he messaged me. He asked me to fill in as his assistant for an Amazon Prime show that he had created. I could cry. I was elated. It was my first time in a writer’s room and animation studio and I couldn’t speak more highly of everyone in that room. That was the first time I earned a living from my creative work! Go stream KEVIN this fall!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Jude Merkel and I am a writer, actor and comedian. I was born on a farm in Walkersville, MD with eight biological siblings to complete our Irish, Catholic family. Jim Carrey and Chris Farley were my biggest inspirations growing up but I knew I had to get a college degree to appease my parents before chasing a far-fetched dream. I ended up getting a full ride to play football at the Naval Academy, but three surgeries later I quit the team. I continued my education at Navy, graduated and commissioned as a Naval Officer. I served two deployments overseas in the middle east and separated honorably in 2021 as a Lieutenant. It was at that moment my “real” career started and I tried my hand at everything in the entertainment industry.

First I went to The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, then Improv at The Groundlings, then I got my Screenwriting certificate from UCLA in TV & Film writing, and finally stand-up comedy at Westside Comedy Theatre in Santa Monica. I started working at Westside Comedy Theater in 2023 and currently host the open mic there on Tuesdays and run a monthly show called Tickles & Tunes. I have a writing portfolio of one drama screenplay, two original TV pilots (one live action and one animated), and two specs (The Other Two and Futurama). I have two acting credits (Dhar Mann & Still Hatin’) and audition daily for my commercial agent.

I think what sets me apart is that I am extremely adaptable. Being the second youngest of nine kids I have had to survive at all costs. Whether that is ten different personalities or opinions, I think if I can survive the Merkel household, I can survive anywhere. Even you, LA.

I’m most proud of the fact that I am myself. I am still finding my voice as a comedian and writer but I think that is an ever-changing process and journey. I was able to meet with some agents at CAA last year and I feel very grateful for the opportunity. I got into comedy because my mom is bipolar and I would always try to make her and my little sister laugh when times got tough. That combined with the fact that I’m the second youngest, I’ve never felt any pressure to get a normal job or be “traditionally” successful. I leave that to my older, more stable siblings. I try not to take life too seriously and hope I can make some people laugh along the way.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think artists and creatives have it very tough right now. With the writers strikes, AI, and the ever-changing streaming services/bidding wars, we have our hands full. I think in an ideal world, society can better support artists by having companies paying higher, livable wages. I work three minimum wage jobs just to stay afloat. I know that I am smart, but trying to make it in this creative industry is hard. The job options are so slim that allow me to pursue my career and make enough money to survive. I wish there were better options for us, because I know too many talented people who are unemployed, looking for work, or picking up odd-jobs in between writing gigs to stay afloat.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I want to be financially free in order to support my family, friends and loved ones. It all comes down to money, but after a decade in the military, I don’t want to be controlled by it. I took a severe pay cut after leaving, and I promised myself I would never do something again for the money. So the challenge for me has always been to do something I love, that I believe positively impacts our world in some way, and get paid doing it. I would prefer if I get paid a lot to do those things. To be able to feel fulfilled and completely unrestrained in my creative work, is my ultimate goal. I was under the thumb of the U.S. government for so long so it feels good to create work that I enjoy even if there is little to no pay. The navy left me feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled, even though I was making a ton of money. So what drives me, is to find meaningful work and get paid a lot to do it. So I can spoil the ones I love with a yacht in the Mediterranean serving unlimited shrimp cocktails.

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Contact Info:

• Website: judemerkel.com
• Instagram: merk_nowitzki
• Facebook: Jude Aaron
• Linkedin: Jude Merkel
• Youtube: merk_nowitzki
• Other: TikTok: merk_nowitzki