Sam Jay: Bio, Comedy Style, and Where to Watch
Who is Sam Jay?
Sam Jay was born Samaria Johnson in Atlanta on January 13, 1982, grew up in Dorchester, Boston, studied communications before dropping out, spent years working in an office and as a music manager, and did her first stand-up set in 2012 at the age of 29. She has described Patrice O’Neal as a primary influence, which is a specific thing to say — O’Neal’s style was unflinching, observational, and rooted in genuine conviction rather than performance. That influence shows in her work.
In 2017, she joined the writing staff of Saturday Night Live, becoming the first Black lesbian writer in the show’s history and the second Black lesbian to be involved with SNL overall. She earned two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Writer and a WGA nomination for her work there. She co-wrote the beloved “Black Jeopardy” sketch. She departed in 2020. Her stand-up specials include 3 in the Morning on Netflix (2020) and Salute Me or Shoot Me on HBO Max (2023). She was a featured roaster at Netflix’s Roast of Tom Brady. She co-created and co-starred in Pause with Sam Jay on HBO (2021–2022) and Bust Down on Peacock (2022). Her Onsight tour is currently running through 2026.
Sam Jay’s Comedy Style
Sam Jay is a self-aware, observational comedian who performs from a perspective shaped by race, sexuality, class, and Boston — all of which are present simultaneously and none of which she softens. The Patrice O’Neal comparison is earned in the sense that she doesn’t perform for approval. She says the thing and lets the room catch up.
Her crowd work is fearless and improvisational. She is genuinely funny in the moment, not just in the material, which is the harder skill to develop.
Where to Find Sam Jay
Salute Me or Shoot Me is on Max. 3 in the Morning is on Netflix. Find tour dates at samjay.com and follow her on Instagram @samjaycomic.
Sam Jay has performed at the Comedy Cellar in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Check the current lineup and upcoming shows at comedycellar.com.
Catch Comedy Cellar shows live from New York on Mint Comedy at watch.mintcomedy.com.
Watch Live from the Comedy Cellar
Stream live stand-up shows every week — including sets you can’t see anywhere else. $5.99/month.
Or catch a single show for $4.99 pay-per-view
Related: Female Comedians of the Comedy Cellar on Mint Comedy
