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Jon Macks

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  • Award-Winning Comedy Writer, Speechwriter, and Political Consultant
  • Top Writer, 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' for Its Entire 22 Year Run
  • Acclaimed Expert in Corporate Branding and Crisis Management
  • Author

Jon Macks is a writer and producer of over 200 live television shows, including a record 25 Academy Awards, for which he served as head writer 9 times, as well as the Emmy Awards, The Golden Globes, The Tony Awards.Jon was the top political comedy writer during the Tonight Show with Jay Leno's 22 year run, writing over 100 jokes a day every day for Jay's 4610 Tonight Shows! If you were counting, over 18,000 of his jokes have been broadcast on late night television, in addition to the jokes, sketches and speeches Jon has penned for Billy Crystal, Chris Rock, Helen Mirren, Marty Short, Steve Martin, Michael Douglas, Queen Latifah, and Ricky Gervais. For his efforts he is an 8 time Emmy nominee and two time winner of Writers Guild Award.Jon is an acclaimed expert in Corporate Branding and Crisis Management, and has written speeches for CEOs and over two dozen U.S. Senators, specializing in presidential debate prep in every election since 1996.Jon is the author of Monologue: What Makes America Laugh Before Bed, How to be Funny, Fuhgeddaboutit: How to Badda Boom, Badda Bing and Find Your Inner Mobster, and Heaven Talks Back: An Uncommon Conversation. 

 
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Past Hosts Include:
  • Hollins University
  • University of Georgia
  • Tulane University
“
Jon Macks was the most anticipated speaker in our Summer Speaker’s Program and he did not disappoint!  Equal parts entertaining and informative, our students spent the evening laughing and learning from his raconteur’s wit; his insightful anecdotes of writing for late night TV, awards shows, and American politics; and his generous wisdom and advice on writing funny and building a successful career in comedy.
”
More rave reviews

""I worked with Jon on campaigns, watched him become a late night comedy writing legend and having him on my podcast was not only one of the highlights of this year's 'That Trippi Show,' his was one of our highest rated shows ever. If you're looking for an entertaining and "out of the usual box" speaker, I have two words of advice: book him!"

-Joe Trippi

"Jon Macks spoke to our students at Tulane University on the topic of 'Humor in Politics and How Comedy has Changed over the Years.' He was so good our students rated him the semester's top speaker."

-James Carville

"Jon Macks’ sharp wit and extensive knowledge of American politics, late night comedy and media make for a great speech filled with insights and plenty of laughs at the University of Georgia! We not only had a good time, we came away entertained and enlightened! No one explains 2021 America any better and leaves you feeling good about it."

-Steve Wrigley, Chancellor of the University System of Georgia, 2017-2021
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In Conversation Panel - Entertainment Politics | USC Center for the Political Future [1:01:21] - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Jon Macks
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An Evening with Jon Macks

JON MACKS gives one hour speeches about late night television; award shows; presidential politics; the intersection of late night comedy and politics and how anyone can be funny. He has spoken at Tulane University, the University of Georgia, Trinity College, Politicon, and USC, and is a commentator on those topics on both political and comedy podcasts, radio shows and occasionally, on televised news programming.

Books by Jon Macks
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Biography
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