Jaime Eliezer Karas[1] is an American film and television director.

Jay Karas
Alma materUniversity of Southern California
Occupation(s)Film director, television director
Years active1994–present
SpouseMonica
Children1
Websitejaykaras.com

Career

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Karas's resume primarily consists of directing live telecasts and stand-up comedy specials. In recent years he moved on to directing episodic television, directing episodes of Parks and Recreation, Raising Hope, Awkward, The Fosters, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Workaholics.[2] In 2014, Karas made his feature film directing debut with the film Break Point, starring Jeremy Sisto and David Walton.[3]

Karas's episode of Dice was one of The Hollywood Reporter's "Critics' Picks: The 15 Best TV Episodes of 2016"[4] and Teachers made Vanity Fair's "5 Underrated TV Shows You Should Watch Right Now".[5]

Personal life

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Jay grew up in Maryland, Virginia, and Connecticut. He attended Bloomfield High School and graduated from the University of Southern California.[6] He lives in Italy[7] with his wife Monica and their son Leo.

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1997 The Jenny McCarthy Show Associate director, coordinating producer 22 episodes
2007 The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show Director, co-executive producer 8 episodes
2007 MADtv Director 3 episodes
2007–2008 Frank TV 18 episodes
2009 NESN Comedy All-Stars 8 episodes
2011 Eagleheart 2 episodes
2012–2013 The Burn with Jeff Ross 12 episodes
2011–2013 After Lately Director, executive producer, co-executive producer 16 episodes
2013 Parks and Recreation Director Episode: "Doppelgängers"
2014 Awkward 2 episodes
Unstrung Television movie, ABC Family
2015 About a Boy Episode: "About a Manniversary"
The Fosters Episode: "Justify the Means"
Sirens 2 episodes
Brooklyn Nine-Nine Episode: "Sabotage"
Finding Carter Episode: I Knew You Were Trouble
Impastor 2 episodes
Married 2 episodes
Switched at Birth Episode: "To the Victor Belong the Spoils"
Kevin from Work Episode: "Escape from Work"
2016 Deadbeat 3 episodes
The Swap Television movie, Disney Channel
2015–2017 Kirby Buckets 6 episodes
2011–2017 Workaholics 8 episodes
2017 Lopez 2 episodes
2016–2017 Dice 4 episodes
2018 Alone Together 2 episodes
Great News Episode: "The Fast Track"
Ghosted Episode: "The Premonition"
Siren Episode: "Interview With a Mermaid"
2018–2020 Superstore 3 episodes
2018–2019 Splitting Up Together 4 episodes
2016–2018 Those Who Can't 4 episodes
2017–2018 Teachers Director, producer 16 episodes
2019 The Kids Are Alright Director 3 episodes
Sunnyside Episode: "Skirt Skirt"
2020 The Baker and The Beauty Episode: "Honeymoon's Over"
The Main Event (2020 film)
Love, Victor Episode: "What Happens in Willacoochee"
2021 The Moodys Season two
The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers Episode: "Breakaway"
Dynasty Episode: "A Public Forum for Her Lies"
Turner & Hooch Episode: "Diamonds Are Furever"
Acapulco 5 episodes
2022 Abbott Elementary 2 episodes
2022-2024 Ghosts 3 episodes
2023 So Help Me Todd Episode: "Ivan the Terrible"
True Lies Episode: "Independent Dependents"
Forthcoming The Extraditers Co-writer In partnership with Dean Ward
Rewrite of Man Up In partnership with Dean Ward for CBS Films[8]

Comedy

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Year Title Role Notes
2012 D.L. Hughley: Reset Director, executive producer D.L. Hughley special
2013 Doug Stanhope: Beer Hall Putsch Director, executive producer Doug Stanhope special
2014 Bill Burr: I'm Sorry You Feel That Way Director Bill Burr special
2014 Chelsea Peretti: One of the Greats Executive producer Chelsea Peretti special
2015 Demetri Martin: Live (At the Time) Director Demetri Martin special
2015 Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted Director Tig Notaro special
2016 Tom Segura: Mostly Stories Director Tom Segura specially
2016 Not Safe with Nikki Glaser Director Nikki Glaser special
2016 Ali Wong: Baby Cobra Director Ali Wong special
2017 Jeff Foxworthy & Larry the Cable Guy: We've Been Thinking Director Jeff Foxworthy & Larry the Cable Guy special
2017 Bill Burr: Walk Your Way Out Director, executive producer Bill Burr special
2017 Christina P: Mother Inferior Director Christina Pazsitzk special
2018 Tom Segura: Disgraceful Director Tom Segura special
2018 Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife Director Ali Wong special
2018 Demetri Martin: The Overthinker Director Demetri Martin special

Advertising

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Karas has directed spots for brands including Ford, Target, Coke Zero, and Fandango, as well campaigns for ABC, Disney, E!, A&E, and TBS, including Conan's launch campaigns and the viral "Desk Wash" spot.[9]

Music video

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Year Title Artist Role
2004 "Keeping Last" The Forgiven Fridays Producer

Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013 Parks and Recreation Online Film & Television Association, OFTA Television Award, Best Direction in a Comedy Series Nominated
2014 Break Point Newport Beach Film Festival, Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking Won
2014 Break Point SXSW Film Festival, Narrative Spotlight Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "JAIME ELIEZER KARAS". JAIME ELIEZER KARAS. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  2. ^ "INTERVIEW: Director Jay Karas Talks To Me About The More Than Just a Sports Movie, Break Point". Rama's Screen. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  3. ^ "Interview: Director 'Jay Karas' Talks His Feature Film Directorial Debut Break Point". Red Carpet Crash. August 22, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  4. ^ Goodman, Tim; Fienberg, Daniel (December 21, 2016). "Dice - Critics' Picks: The 15 Best TV Episodes of 2016". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  5. ^ Wolcott, James (January 18, 2017). "5 Underrated TV Shows You Should Watch Right Now". Vanity Fair. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  6. ^ "Two BHS Alums Making Their Mark at Disney". Courant Community. October 6, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  7. ^ "Jay Karas bio".
  8. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (April 28, 2017). "Jay Karas & Dean Ward Tapped To Rewrite Comedy Man Up For CBS Films". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  9. ^ Dahl, Oscar (November 9, 2010). "Conan is back — all is right with the world". Today. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
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