{{Short description|American filmmaker}} {{Infobox person | name = Jeff Ayars | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = | birth_place = Media, Pennsylvania, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | education = Cornell University and University of Pennsylvania | occupation = Filmmaker and actor | years_active = | known_for = Cannibal Milkshake | notable_works = ''Philadelphia, Ti Amo'' (2011)<br>''An Auteur Is Born'' (Comedy Central) (2019)<br>''This Is Our Home'' (2019), ''FBI: International'' }}
'''Jeff Ayars''' is an American filmmaker and actor known for writing, directing, and performing in the comedy duo Cannibal Milkshake alongside Dan Rosen. He is also known for the film ''Philadelphia, Ti Amo'' (2011) starring Rebecca Rittenhouse,<ref name=cornell /> his Tribeca Film Festival selection ''The Snapstory'', his acting in ''FBI: International'' and his horror features ''This Is Our Home''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-14 |title=This Is Our Home Review |url=https://www.thatmomentin.com/this-is-our-home-review/ |access-date=2022-05-14 |website=That Moment In |language=en-US}}</ref> and ''Voices Carry''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Voices Carry (2025) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |date=2025-03-13 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/voices_carry_2025 |access-date=2025-10-15}}</ref> Ayars will soon be seen alongside Melissa Leo in the upcoming feature film ''Mother Wolf''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stewart Clarke |first=Max Goldbart |title=Mediapro's U.S. & Canada Studio Unveils Star-Studded Slate Including Melissa Leo, John Turturro, Juan José Campanella and Daniel Burman Projects |website=Deadline |date=2024-10-23 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/mediapro-john-turturro-melissa-leo-mipcom-1236155006/ |access-date=2025-10-15}}</ref>
==Education== Ayars grew up in Media, Pennsylvania, where he attended Penncrest High School and was one of 595 students in the country to receive a national writing award from the NCTE during his senior year.<ref>[https://www.inquirer.com/philly/local/pa/main_line_delaware/nabes/20080224_School_Notes_4.html School Notes]. ''The Philadelphia Inquirer''. Accessed June 22, 2020.</ref> Ayars went on to attend Cornell University from 2008 to 2013, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aap.cornell.edu/news-events/molly-messersmith-jeffrey-ayars-and-da-ying-inapprorpiation |title=Molly Messersmith, Jeffrey Ayars, and Da Ying: Inapprorpiation |last= |first= |date=May 20, 2013 |publisher=Cornell University College of Architecture, Art, and Planning |access-date=June 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.cornell.edu/essentials/2016/02/ayars-13-not-horsing-around-revenant-parody |title=Ayars '13 not horsing around in 'Revenant' parody |last= |first= |date=February 29, 2016 |publisher=Cornell Chronicle |access-date=June 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ithacavoice.com/2015/02/cornell-grads-american-sniper-parody-makes-national-news/ |title=Cornell grads' 'American Sniper' parody makes national news |last=Stein |first=Jeff |date=February 26, 2015 |publisher=The Ithaca Voice |access-date=June 22, 2020}}</ref> During his time at Cornell, Ayars produced videos for ''The Cornell Daily Sun'' and other companies and campus organizations. While on a brief hiatus from Cornell, Ayars studied creative writing at The University of Pennsylvania, where he published a satire of Franz Kafka.<ref>[https://www.dolphin.upenn.edu/fcpaper/FEB22.pdf University of Pennsylvania]</ref> Ayars' film and pop-culture thesis was an exploration of personas in film using Ryan Gosling quotations.<ref>[https://aap.cornell.edu/news-events/molly-messersmith-jeffrey-ayars-and-da-ying-inapprorpiation Molly Messersmith, Jeffrey Ayars, and Da Ying: Inapprorpiation]. ''Cornell Architecture Art Planning''. Accessed June 22, 2020.</ref>
==Career== As a child, Ayars was in two television commercials for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1993 and 1994. His father, NBC Sports executive and Emmy Award winner Robert Ayars,<ref>[https://www.sportsvideo.org/2012/09/28/rockets-astros-find-new-home-with-comcast-sportsnet-houston/ Rockets, Astros Find New Home With Comcast SportsNet Houston]. ''Sportsvideo''. 2012-09-28. Accessed June 22, 2020.</ref> who at the time worked for the PRISM television network, shot and directed the commercials.<ref name=imdb>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4590088/bio Biography]. ''IMDb''. Accessed June 22, 2020.</ref>
Ayars has gone on to act, produce, direct, edit, and write for various forms of media such as online content, film, television, documentary, short film, and commercial.<ref name=imdb />
Ayars is currently the Head of Video Production at Blackbird,<ref>{{cite web |last=Lunden |first=Ingrid |title=Blackbird gobbles up $50M for its blockchain-based payment-loyalty app for restaurants |website=TechCrunch |date=2025-04-08 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/08/blackbird-gobbles-up-50m-for-its-blockchain-based-payment-loyalty-app-for-restaurants/ |access-date=2025-10-15}}</ref> where he directs their talkshow, ''Take Me To Your Spot'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Instagram |date=2024-04-30 |url=https://www.instagram.com/reels/C6ZNKiWOlo1/ |access-date=2025-10-15}}</ref> featuring influencers, entertainers, and chefs such as Chris Bianco.<ref>{{cite web |last=Addison |first=Bill |title=20 Years In, Chris Bianco Is Still America's Best Pizza Maker |website=Eater |date=2015-03-10 |url=https://www.eater.com/2015/3/10/8155543/pizzeria-bianco-best-pizza-america |access-date=2025-10-15}}</ref>
===Cannibal Milkshake=== Cannibal Milkshake is a comedy partnership between Jeff Ayars and his Cornell University classmate Dan Rosen. The duo produces, writes, directs, edits, and acts in their videos, and are frequent contributors to ''The New Yorker''.<ref>[https://www.newyorker.com/search/q/Jeff%20Ayars Jeff Ayars]. ''The New Yorker''. Accessed June 22, 2020.</ref> Ayars and Rosen's sketches have also been featured by CollegeHumor, Funny or Die, Comedy Central, ''Fortune Magazine'', and Elizabeth Banks' WhoHaHa network. Their work is largely tech-world satire and movie parodies, notably featuring Ayars performing as a crazed Bradley Cooper, Oscar Awards-hungry Leonardo DiCaprio, finance-bro Ryan Gosling, and James Bond as a stressed-out dad.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/being-a-dad-is-toughest-challenge-yet-for-james-bond/ |title=James Bond faces his toughest challenge yet: Being a dad |last=Domanico |first=Anthony |date=2015-11-11 |publisher=CNET |access-date=June 22, 2020}}</ref> Ayars and Rosen have also performed live at New York City venues like the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre<ref>[https://www.cannibalmilkshake.com/bio-contact Cannibal Milkshake]. Accessed June 22, 2020.</ref> and The People's Improv Theater, where Ayars performed live<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cristi |first=A. A. |title=Photos: Richard Kind And Judy Gold Featured In Live-Reading Of New Indie Film VOICES |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-off-broadway/article/Photos-Richard-Kind-And-Judy-Gold-Featured-In-Live-Reading-Of-New-Indie-Film-VOICES-20211210 |access-date=2022-05-14 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref> with actor Richard Kind and comedian Judy Gold in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jeff Ayars & Dan Rosen: "Cannibal Milkshake" |url=https://bestnewyorkcomedy.com/tag/jeff-ayars-dan-rosen-cannibal-milkshake/ |access-date=2022-05-14 |website=Best New York Comedy |language=en}}</ref>
===Film=== Ayars' first short film during college starred Rebecca Rittenhouse and went on to screen at the Philadelphia Film Festival.<ref name=inquirer>[https://www.inquirer.com/philly/entertainment/20111031_Dan_Gross__Wendy_Williams_speaks_out.html Dan Gross: Wendy Williams speaks out]. ''The Philadelphia Inquirer''. Accessed June 22, 2020.</ref><ref name=cornell>[https://blogs.cornell.edu/theessentials/2011/10/31/love-in-philadelphia/ Love in Philadelphia]. Cornell University. 2011-10-31. Accessed June 22, 2020.</ref> His work has subsequently been featured at the NYC Web Fest, New York City Independent Film Festival, Manhattan Film Festival, New Filmmakers Los Angeles, Cinequest Film Festival, The Lower East Side Film Festival,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lesfilmfestival.com/2019/films/this-is-our-home |title=This Is Our Home |last= |first= |date=2019 |publisher=The Lower East Side Film Festival |access-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-date=July 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701072128/https://www.lesfilmfestival.com/2019/films/this-is-our-home |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the Tribeca Film Festival.<ref>[https://tribecafilm.com/snapchatshorts Tribeca Film Festival]. Accessed June 22, 2020.</ref><ref name=imdb /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/310882/full-line-up-announced-for-brooklyn-horror-film-festival/ |title=Full Line-Up Announced for BROOKLYN HORROR FILM FESTIVAL |last= |first= |date= 14 September 2019|publisher=Dead Central |access-date=June 22, 2020}}</ref>
Ayars produced and starred in the 2019 psychological thriller feature, ''This Is Our Home''. Written by Rob Harmon and directed by long-time friend and collaborator Omri Dorani, the film co-stars Simone Policano and tells the story of a struggling couple on a weekend away that takes a turn with the arrival of a mysterious child.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8179944/ ''This Is Our Home''] (2019). Accessed June 22, 2020.</ref> The film was executive produced by former Paramount Pictures executive Inga Vainshtein Smith, known for ''Hardcore Henry''.
The subject of mental health is an important theme in Ayars' work.<ref>[https://www.seedandspark.com/fund/borderline-coffee-1#team Borderline Coffee]. Accessed June 22, 2020.</ref> He was one of 75 creators selected to attend the Kindred Mind Matters mental health summit sponsored by HBO.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2019/06/hbo-kindred-mental-health-quest-mind-matters-anthony-rapp-1202634282/ HBO Partners With Social Impact Organization Kindred For Mental Health Event]. ''Deadline''. June 19, 2019. Accessed June 22, 2020.</ref>
Ayars is developing a romantic comedy feature film ''GOLD BOY'' that deals with the subject of mental health and is inspired by his own struggles at Cornell University.<ref>[https://medium.com/@JeffAyars/no-superpowers-just-spandex-the-other-half-of-my-story-7d7cea747b15 No superpowers, just spandex: the other half of my story]. ''Medium''. Jul 14, 2019. Accessed June 22, 2020.</ref> The film pitch was a finalist in the Yes, And Laughter Lab initiative to combine comedy and social justice sponsored by Comedy Central.<ref>[https://yesandlaughterlab.com/2019-winners/ 2019 winners]. ''Yes, And Laughter Lab''. Accessed June 22, 2020.</ref>
===Television=== From 2013 to 2025, Ayars has worked at Comcast NBCUniversal. From 2019 to 2025, he served as a producer for ''Morning Joe'' on MSNBC, responsible for field packages and produced behind-the-scenes featurettes on the ''Curb Your Enthusiasm'' finale, ''Oppenheimer'', and ''Severance''.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/17-states-submit-proposals-host-hyperloop-certification-center 17 states submit proposals to host Hyperloop certification center]. ''Morning Joe'' on MSNBC. Accessed June 22, 2020.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://muckrack.com/jeff-ayars |title=Jeff Ayars |publisher=Muckrack |access-date=June 22, 2020}}</ref> He previously worked producing EPKs and promos for NBCUniversal.
In 2022, Ayars made his network television debut as a guest star on Dick Wolf's CBS procedural ''FBI: International''.
Ayars has also starred in national television commercials, including a campaign for the Ad Council.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adcouncil.org/campaign/drug-impaired-driving-prevention|title=Drug-Impaired Driving Prevention|publisher=Ad Council|access-date=June 22, 2020}}</ref> He starred as Thomas Jefferson in the 2022 Super Bowl ad for ClickUp.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 3, 2022 |first=Jameson |last=Fleming |title=How ClickUp Created Its First Super Bowl Ad |url=https://www.adweek.com/agencies/inside-challenger-brand-clickups-journey-to-launching-its-first-super-bowl-ad/ |access-date=2022-05-14 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Filmography == {| class="wikitable" !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Type !scope="col"| Director !scope="col"| Writer !scope="col"| Editor !scope="col"| Producer !scope="col"| Executive producer !scope="col"| Actor !scope="col"| Other !scope="col"| Notes |- |2011 |''Philadelphia, Ti Amo'' |Short |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} | |As Michael |- |2013 |''Christopher Walkenoma'' |Short |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} | |As Jeffrey |- |2014 |''MacGuffin'' |Video short |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} | |As Jeffrey the Small-Town-Multi-Billionaire |- |2015 |''Pound: The Woof Dawg Story'' |Short |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} | |As Woof Dawg |- |2016 |''Two Girls One Show'' |Digital series |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} | |As Sassy bartender |- |2016 |''Ghost Friend'' |TV Pilot |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} | | |- |2017 |''The New Yorker: Shorts & Murmurs'' |TV series |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} | |As Millennial hoarder, Intern Maht, Startup founder |- |2017 |''The Notebook Snapstory'' |Video short |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} | |As Ryan Gosling |- |2017 |''Assholes'' | |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |associate producer | |- |2017 |''NY NY Land'' |Video short |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} | |As Finance Bro Gosling |- |2018 |''I, Nancy'' |Video short |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} | |As Campbell's Soup Director |- |2018 |''Masterclass: Marvel CGI Acting'' |Short |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} | |As Chris Evans |- |2019 |''All Hail Beth'' |TV series |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} | |As Holden Hans |- |2019 |''Final Callback'' |Short |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} | |As angry auditioner |- |2019 |''DTF'' |TV mini series |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{no}} | | |- |2019 |''This Is Our Home'' | |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} | |As Cory |- |2019 |''An Auteur Is Born'' |Short |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} | |As Bradley Cooper |- |2020 |''Nevertheless'' |Documentary |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |associate producer | |- |2021 |''Actors'' | |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |associate producer | |- |2021 |''International Falls'' | |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} | | |- |2021 |''Rifkin on Rifkin: Private Confessions of a Serial Killer'' |TV special |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} | |Joel Rifkin |- |2021 |''Being George Lucas: A Connor Ratliff Story'' |Documentary |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} |executive producer |post-production |- |2021 |''No Dye'' |Short |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} | |As Pat |- |2022 |''FBI: International'' |TV series |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} | |As Henry Martin |- |2019-2022 |''Morning Joe'' |TV series |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |field producer |507 episodes |- |TBD |''Imposter Syndrome'' |Documentary |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{no}} | |filming |- |TBD |''The Abaddon Pit'' | |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} | |As Dave |- |TBD |''Mental Health and Horror: A Documentary'' |Documentary |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |associate producer |filming |- |TBD |''What Are We?'' | |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} | | |- |TBD |''Trust'' |Short |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} | |completed |- |TBD |''Mother Wolf'' |Independent film |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |{{yes}} | | |}
==References== {{Reflist}} * {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKo15fF_n7U&list=PLWDGbl5cnBKVT-s3zBIhpO7zdmS5j2qkH |title=An auteur is born |website=YouTube |date=23 February 2019 |access-date=June 22, 2020}} * {{cite web |url=https://horrorbuzz.com/2019/03/10/cinequest-2019-review-this-is-our-home-review/ |title=CineQuest 2019 Review: This Is Our Home |last= |first= |date=2019-03-10 |publisher=Horrorbuzz |access-date=June 22, 2020}} * {{cite web |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/290140/exclusive-clip-from-this-is-our-home/ |title=Exclusive Clip From THIS IS OUR HOME |last= |first= |date=February 26, 2019 |publisher=Dread Central |access-date=June 22, 2020}} * {{cite web |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/home-video/3592725/couple-tormented-new-child-home-trailer/ |title=Couple Tormented by Their New Child in 'This is Our Home' |last=Miska |first=Brad |date=November 5, 2019 |publisher=Bloody Disgusting |access-date=June 22, 2020}} * {{cite web |url=https://fortune.com/2017/02/24/la-la-land-parody-new-york-finance-tech/ |title=This 'La La Land' Parody Skewers New York's Finance and Tech Industries |last=Huddleston Jr. |first=Tom |date=2017-02-24 |publisher=Fortune |access-date=June 22, 2020}} * {{cite web |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3042635/canadian-sniper-offers-a-complex-moral-exploration-of-the-question-of-what-to-do-when-moose- |title="Canadian Sniper" Offers A Complex Moral Exploration Of The Question Of What To Do When Moose Invade A Tim Hortons |last=Solomon |first=Dan |date=2015-02-19 |publisher=Fast Company |access-date=June 22, 2020}} * {{cite web |url=https://www.delcotimes.com/arts_and_entertainment/television-these-guys-know-media-is-perfect-place-for-horror/article_b966e75b-2aea-5466-b53c-63951f303293.html |title=Television: These guys know Media is perfect place for horror |last=Zoren |first=Neal |date=Oct 8, 2017 |publisher=Delco Times |access-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-date=July 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701175753/https://www.delcotimes.com/arts_and_entertainment/television-these-guys-know-media-is-perfect-place-for-horror/article_b966e75b-2aea-5466-b53c-63951f303293.html |url-status=dead }}
==External links== * {{Official website|https://www.jeffayars.com}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ayars, Jeff}} Category:Living people Category:Filmmakers from Pennsylvania Category:Male actors from Delaware County, Pennsylvania Category:Cornell University College of Architecture, Art, and Planning alumni Category:University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences alumni Category:The New Yorker people Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:People from Media, Pennsylvania