Jay Karas


Jay Karas is an American film and television director and producer.

Career

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. In 2014, Karas made his feature film directing debut with the film Break Point, starring Jeremy Sisto and David Walton.
Karas's episode of Dice was one of The Hollywood Reporter's "Critics' Picks: The 15 Best TV Episodes of 2016" and Teachers made Vanity Fair's "5 Underrated TV Shows You Should Watch Right Now".

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1997The Jenny McCarthy ShowAssociate director, coordinating producer22 episodes
2007The Naked Trucker and T-Bones ShowDirector, co-executive producer8 episodes
2007MADtvDirector3 episodes
2007-2008Frank TVDirector18 episodes
2009NESN Comedy All-StarsDirector8 episodes
2011EagleheartDirector2 episodes
2012-2013The Burn with Jeff RossDirector12 episodes
2011-2013After LatelyDirector, executive producer, co-executive producer16 episodes
2013Parks and RecreationDirector1 episode
2014AwkwardDirector2 episodes
2014UnstrungDirectorTelevision movie, ABC Family
2015About a BoyDirector1 episode
2015The FostersDirector1 episode
2015SirensDirector1 episode
2015Brooklyn Nine-NineDirector1 episode
2015Finding CarterDirector1 episode
2015ImpastorDirector2 episodes
2015MarriedDirector2 episodes
2015Switched at BirthDirector1 episode
2015Kevin from WorkDirector1 episode
2016DeadbeatDirector3 episodes
2016The SwapDirectorTelevision movie, Disney Channel
2015-2017Kirby BucketsDirector6 episodes
2011-2017WorkaholicsDirector8 episodes
2017LopezDirector2 episodes
2016-2017DiceDirector4 episodes
2018Alone TogetherDirector2 episodes
2018Great NewsDirector1 episode
2018GhostedDirector1 episode
2018SirenDirector1 episode
2018-2020SuperstoreDirector3 episodes
2018-2019Splitting up TogetherDirector4 episodes
2016-2018Those Who Can'tDirector4 episodes
2017-2018TeachersDirector, producer16 episodes
2019The Kids Are AlrightDirector3 episodes
2019SunnysideDirectorEpisode: "Skirt Skirt"
2020The Baker and The BeautyDirectorEpisode: "Honeymoon's Over"
2020Love, VictorDirectorEpisode: "What Happens in Willacoochee"
ForthcomingThe ExtraditersCo-writerIn partnership with Dean Ward
ForthcomingRewrite of Man UpCo-writerIn partnership with Dean Ward for CBS Films

Comedy

YearTitleRoleNotes
2012D.L. Hughley: ResetDirector, executive producerD.L. Hughley special
2013Doug Stanhope: Beer Hall PutschDirector, executive producerDoug Stanhope special
2014Bill Burr: I'm Sorry You Feel That WayDirectorBill Burr special
2015Demetri Martin: Live DirectorDemetri Martin special
2014Chelsea Peretti: One of the GreatsChelsea Peretti special
2015Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl InterruptedDirectorTig Notaro special
2016Tom Segura: Mostly StoriesDirectorTom Segura specially
2016Not Safe with Nikki GlaserDirectorNikki Glaser special
2016Ali Wong: Baby CobraDirectorAli Wong special
2017Jeff Foxworthy & Larry the Cable Guy: We've Been ThinkingDirectorJeff Foxworthy & Larry the Cable Guy special
2017Director, executive producerBill Burr special
2017Christina P: Mother InferiorDirectorChristina Pazsitzk special
2018Tom Segura: DisgracefulDirectorTom Segura special
2018Ali Wong: Hard Knock WifeDirectorAli Wong special
2018Demetri Martin: The OverthinkerDirectorDemetri Martin special

Advertising

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.

Music video

YearTitleArtistRole
2004Keeping LastThe Forgiven FridaysProducer
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Awards

Personal life

Jay grew up in Maryland, Virginia, and Connecticut. He attended Bloomfield High School and graduated from the University of Southern California. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Monica, their son Leo, and a dog named Rosie.