Actor, comedian and director Jordan Firstman is closing out a milestone year. The 34-year-old breakout star of HBO’s I Love LA wrapped the comedy’s freshman season Sunday while juggling multiple high-profile creative projects. Now, after a whirlwind 2025, Firstman admits he needs a break.
“I’m in my work era,” Firstman said earlier this month, reflecting on the nonstop pace of his year. In addition to starring in I Love LA, he released his comedy album Secrets, directed his first feature, Club Kid, and appeared in Season 2 of FX’s The English Teacher. Still, he jokes that he can’t decide between booking cosmetic surgery in Korea or catching up on sleep.
Finding Freedom in “I Love LA”
Created by Rachel Sennott, the satirical HBO series follows a young talent manager and her influencer best friend navigating L.A.’s self-promotional, chaotic media world. Firstman plays Charlie, a jaded stylist whose sarcasm masks insecurity and emotional wounds. Throughout the first season, Charlie confronts relationships, ambition and identity. Firstman says the character’s evolution feels personal.
“There’s a major shield around him,” he explains, adding that Charlie gradually “sheds a bunch of layers” to become more vulnerable.
Despite the show’s growing fan base, some critics have labeled the series vapid or self-indulgent. Firstman argues that ambition and hustle culture often draw harsher criticism when portrayed through queer or female characters. He compares the show’s reception with the broader acceptance of prestige dramas centered on wealthy patriarchs and corporate power.
“Younger people resonate because they understand how hamster wheel the world feels right now,” he says. “We’re fighting to pay rent, and everyone is just trying to chase something.”
From Viral Videos to Hollywood’s Spotlight
Firstman knows that fame can fade quickly. He gained national attention during the 2020 lockdown through absurdist TikTok impressions shared by celebrities including Katy Perry and Ariana Grande. The attention brought opportunity, but also pressure. “It definitely felt a bit lonely,” he says. “People say, ‘We love you!’ and then they’re gone.” He has leaned on fellow comedian friends like Benito Skinner for advice and reassurance when navigating brand deals and online backlash.
A Complicated Take on “Heated Rivalry”
Firstman made headlines after publicly critiquing HBO Max’s gay hockey drama Heated Rivalry, calling its depiction of gay sex unrealistic. Days earlier, he had offered a more conflicted assessment, acknowledging that audiences still found the show “really hot.”
“As a writer, it’s complicated,” he explains. “Let people have fun.”
Exploring Sex, Identity and Addiction
The multihyphenate artist has long pushed boundaries. In the 2023 film Rotting in the Sun, he appeared in unsimulated sex scenes. His upcoming feature Club Kid, however, shifts away from explicit content to explore the emotional toll of party culture and drug use.
Firstman believes Hollywood has barely begun to authentically portray queer experiences. He wants to continue making space for complex, flawed gay characters — including Charlie, whom he hopes becomes “iconic” and “a little crazier” in Season 2. Still, Firstman says success requires diplomacy. “You can’t burn bridges,” he cautions. “You have to be well-liked. Those are the people giving you the jobs.”
