{{short description|American screenwriter}}
{{Infobox person | name = Jonathan Kesselman | image = <!-- filename only, no "File:" or "Image:" prefix, and no enclosing brackets --> | alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> | caption = | birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name --> | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1974}} | birth_place = Los Angeles, California | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (DEATH date then BIRTH date) --> | death_place = | other_names = | occupation = {{flatlist| *Film director *screenwriter}} | years_active = 2001-present | known_for = | credits = ''The Hebrew Hammer'' | alma_mater = University of Colorado Boulder<br>University of Southern California | URL = }} '''Jonathan Kesselman''' (born 1974)<ref>{{cite web |title=The Hebrew Hammer |url=https://franklin.library.upenn.edu/catalog/FRANKLIN_9950977993503681 |website=Penn Libraries |accessdate=17 April 2019}}</ref> is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer, who first gained notice as the writer and director of ''The Hebrew Hammer'' (2003).
==Early life== Kesselman grew up in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |last1=Pappu |first1=Sridhar |title=A Man Goes on a Journey |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/03/fashion/mens-style/journey-self-discovery.html |accessdate=17 April 2019 |work=New York Times |date=2 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="mnn">{{cite news |last1=Gunther |first1=Shea |title=Jonathan Kesselman: Filmmaker, writer, observer of life |url=https://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/blogs/jonathan-kesselman-filmmaker-writer-observer-of-life |accessdate=17 April 2019 |publisher=Mother Nature Network |date=15 July 2011}}</ref> He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in psychology, and then spent a few years working as an information systems consultant.<ref name="mnn"/><ref name="cjn">{{cite news |last1=Pfefferman |first1=Naomi |title='One mean Heeb' in first 'Jewsploitation' film |url=https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/archives/one-mean-heeb-in-first-jewsploitation-film/article_ccc4840f-6800-56b7-91bc-8e6c9bacd3f2.html |accessdate=17 April 2019 |publisher=Cleveland Jewish News |date=4 December 2003}}</ref> He studied film at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, graduating in 2001 with a master's degree in film production.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="mnn"/><ref name="filmmaker">{{cite news |title=Shabbat Shalom |url=https://filmmakermagazine.com/archives/issues/winter2003/features/shabbat_shalom.php |accessdate=17 April 2019 |work=Filmmaker Magazine |date=Winter 2003}}</ref>
==Career== ===''The Hebrew Hammer''=== While at USC, Kesselman wrote and directed a short film version of ''The Hebrew Hammer'',<ref name="filmmaker"/> which screened at the 2000 Austin Film Festival.<ref name="cjn"/><ref name="observer">{{cite news |title=Shalom, Motherfuckers |url=https://observer.com/2002/05/shalom-motherfuckers/ |accessdate=17 April 2019 |publisher=New York Observer |date=27 May 2002}}</ref> In 2001, ContentFilm offered to finance a feature film version, with Edward R. Pressman and John Schmidt on board as executive producers.<ref name="cjn"/><ref name="observer"/>
Kesselman wrote and directed ''The Hebrew Hammer'', a "Jewxploitation" send-up of Blaxploitation and superhero films, starring Adam Goldberg as Mordechai Jefferson Carver, an Orthodox Jew on a quest to save Hanukkah from Santa Claus's evil son. It also stars Andy Dick, Mario Van Peebles, Nora Dunn, Peter Coyote, and Judy Greer,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Scott |first1=A.O. |title=When Hanukkah Is in Jeopardy, A Jewish Superman Gets the Call |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/19/movies/film-review-when-hanukkah-is-in-jeopardy-a-jewish-superman-gets-the-call.html |accessdate=17 April 2019 |work=New York Times |date=19 December 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Heyman |first1=Marshall |title=Hanukkah's Crafty Days and Crazy Nights |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323277504578189743565335474 |accessdate=17 April 2019 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=19 December 2012}}</ref> and has a cameo from Melvin Van Peebles reprising his role as Sweetback from ''Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song'' (1971).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rooney |first1=David |title=The Hebrew Hammer |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/reviews/the-hebrew-hammer-1200543810/ |accessdate=17 April 2019 |work=Variety |date=28 January 2003}}</ref> It premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival,<ref name="filmmaker"/> had its television premiere on Comedy Central on December 8, 2003,<ref name="cjn"/> and opened theatrically on December 19, 2003.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fox |first1=Michael |title=He's big, he's bad, he's the Hebrew Hammer |url=https://www.jweekly.com/2003/12/05/he-s-big-he-s-bad-he-s-the-hebrew-hammer/ |accessdate=17 April 2019 |publisher=JWeekly |date=5 December 2003}}</ref> It aired exclusively on Comedy Central for five years after its theatrical release,<ref name="thr">{{cite news |last1=Zakarin |first1=Jordan |title=The Hebrew Hammer Returns to Fight Hitler -- and Americans' 'Cuddly Racism' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hebrew-hammer-returns-fight-hitler-408957 |accessdate=17 April 2019 |work=Hollywood Reporter |date=7 January 2013}}</ref> and is generally considered to be a cult film.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Klein |first1=Amy |title="The Hebrew Hammer": The baddest Jew in the whole damn town! |url=https://www.salon.com/2012/12/07/the_hebrew_hammer_the_baddest_jew_in_the_whole_damn_town/ |accessdate=17 April 2019 |work=Salon |date=8 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Thurm |first1=Eric |title=The Hebrew Hammer makes Christmastime safe for Jews from New York to Tel Aviv |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-hebrew-hammer-makes-christmastime-safe-for-jews-fro-1798275066 |access-date=17 April 2019 |publisher=The A.V. Club |date=17 December 2014}}</ref>
In 2005, Kesselman and Goldberg started discussing a sequel to ''The Hebrew Hammer'', and Kesselman wrote the first draft of the script.<ref name="cultured">{{cite news |last1=Solzman |first1=Danielle |title=JONATHAN KESSELMAN TALKS THE HEBREW HAMMER VS. HITLER |url=https://culturedvultures.com/jonathan-kesselman-talks-hebrew-hammer-vs-hitler/ |accessdate=17 April 2019 |publisher=Cultured Vultures |date=7 November 2017}}</ref> In 2013, Kesselman and Goldberg first announced the sequel publicly.<ref name="thr"/> In ''The Hebrew Hammer vs. Hitler'', the Hebrew Hammer comes out of retirement to combat racism, sexism, and anti-Semitism after an infomercial star becomes president of the US.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Lawrence |first1=Derek |title=Adam Goldberg launches crowdfunding effort for Hebrew Hammer sequel |url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/10/16/adam-goldberg-hebrew-hammer-sequel-crowdfunding/ |accessdate=17 April 2019 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=16 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Erbland |first1=Kate |title='Hebrew Hammer' Sequel: Adam Goldberg Wants to 'Make America Kosher Again' |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/10/hebrew-hammer-sequel-adam-goldberg-crowdfunding-campaign-1201888125/ |accessdate=17 April 2019 |publisher=Indiewire |date=17 October 2017}}</ref>
===''Jimmy Vestvood''=== Kesselman directed the 2016 political satire ''Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero'', written by Maz Jobrani and Amir Ohebsion, and starring Jobrani as an Iranian traffic cop who moves from Tehran to Los Angeles to become a private investigator.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kompanek |first1=Christopher |title='Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero' aims for sharp satire and misses |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/jimmy-vestvood-amerikan-hero-aims-for-sharp-satire-and-misses/2016/05/12/081343b4-13a1-11e6-81b4-581a5c4c42df_story.html |accessdate=17 April 2019 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=12 May 2016}}</ref> It premiered at the 2014 Austin Film Festival,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baumgarten |first1=Marjorie |title=Austin Film Festival: Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/screens/2014-10-26/austin-film-festival-jimmy-vestvood-amerikan-hero/ |accessdate=17 April 2019 |publisher=Austin Chronicle |date=26 October 2014}}</ref> where it won the Comedy Vanguard Jury Award<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Kimberley |title=AFF Announces Award Winners |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/screens/2014-10-26/aff-announces-award-winners/ |accessdate=17 April 2019 |publisher=Austin Chronicle |date=26 October 2014}}</ref> and the Audience Award for Comedy Vanguard Feature.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baumgarten |first1=Marjorie |title=AFF Announces Audience Awards |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/screens/2014-11-04/aff-announces-audience-awards/ |accessdate=17 April 2019 |publisher=Austin Chronicle |date=4 November 2014}}</ref> It was released in theaters on May 13, 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Busch |first1=Anita |title=Maz Jobrani's Political Satire 'Jimmy Vestvood' To Bow In May |url=https://deadline.com/2016/03/maz-jobrani-political-satire-jimmy-vestvood-amerikan-hero-1201727632/ |accessdate=17 April 2019 |publisher=Deadline Hollywood |date=29 March 2016}}</ref>
===Other=== Kesselman directed the 2013 TV pilot ''Grow'', a comedy about a Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensary starring Jamie Hector and Dale Dickey.<ref name="mnn"/> He wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the 2009-10 man on the street show ''On the Streets with Jonathan Kesselman'' on the Mother Nature Network website.<ref name="mnn"/> He directed second unit for the 2016 war film ''Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk'', directed by Ang Lee.<ref name="cultured"/> He taught the seminar Writing Comedy for Film and Television at Yale University,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wessel |first1=Nora |title=Alumni TV writers on strike find outlet |url=https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2007/12/03/alumni-tv-writers-on-strike-find-outlet/ |accessdate=17 April 2019 |publisher=Yale News |date=3 December 2007}}</ref> and wrote the five-part series ''Writing in My Father's Footsteps'', published in ''The Forward'' in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jonathan Kesselman |url=https://forward.com/author/jonathan-kesselman/ |website=The Forward |accessdate=17 April 2019}}</ref> It won second place in the Nefesh B'Nefesh category of the Simon Rockower Awards.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 29th Annual Simon Rockower Award Winners |url=https://www.ajpa.org/page/2010RockowerAwards |website=AJPA |accessdate=17 April 2019}}</ref>
Kesselman was the showrunner on the six-episode 2020 sketch comedy series ''Gander'', written by Rob Kutner and featuring Adam Goldberg, Lewis Black, Jay Mohr, Oscar Nunez, and Rachel Dratch.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Solzman |first1=Danielle |title=Rob Kutner, Jonathan Kesselman talk Gander |url=http://www.solzyatthemovies.com/2020/09/27/rob-kutner-jonathan-kesselman-talk-gander/ |accessdate=5 October 2020 |publisher=Solzy at the Movies |date=27 September 2020}}</ref>
==Filmography== ===Feature films=== {| class="wikitable" ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Title ! scope="col" |Credited as ! scope="col" |Notes |- | 2003 | ''The Hebrew Hammer'' | Writer and director | |- | 2016 | ''Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero'' | Director | |- | 2016 | ''Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk'' | 2nd unit director | Directed by Ang Lee |}
==References== <!--- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes on how to create references using <ref></ref> tags, these references will then appear here automatically --> {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|1165576}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kesselman, Jonathan}} Category:1974 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century American Jews Category:Jewish American screenwriters Category:Film directors from Los Angeles Category:Screenwriters from California Category:USC School of Cinematic Arts alumni Category:University of Colorado Boulder alumni