Growing up in Pittsburgh, Anthony Jeselnik never considered a career in stand-up comedy. His early aspirations were more literary, with a focus on writing novels. Jeselnik attended Tulane University in New Orleans, where he earned a BA in English Literature. To support himself during his senior year, he worked as a doorman at a strip club. Over the years, he held various jobs, including teaching assistant, bookstore clerk, and chef. After college, Jeselnik moved to Los Angeles with hopes of breaking into the screenwriting business. However, after a year, he found the path frustrating. A meeting with Jimmy Brogan, a former head writer for Jay Leno's Tonight Show and a college classmate of his father's, changed his course. Brogan encouraged Jeselnik to try stand-up comedy as a way to break into writing. Despite the advice, it took Jeselnik another year to muster the courage to perform stand-up for the first time. Influenced by the dark humor of Jack Handey and the concept of "The Second Smile" by original SNL Head Writer Michael O'Donoghue, Jeselnik developed a unique comedic style. His humor, characterized by sharp, dark one-liners, draws inspiration from comedians like Steven Wright and Andrew "Dice" Clay. On stage, Jeselnik embodies an ultra-confident and arrogant persona, distinct from the more self-deprecating style of many comedians. This character often surprises audiences who meet the more congenial Jeselnik outside his performances. Jeselnik's break came when he became the first stand-up to appear on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, where he also worked as a staff writer during its inaugural season. He went on to be a regular on other late-night shows, including Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Last Call with Carson Daly. Though he secured various writing gigs, Jeselnik found his true passion in stand-up due to the creative freedom it allowed him. Jeselnik's rising profile was highlighted in 2008 when Variety named him one of their "10 Comics to Watch," an accolade he received at the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival. In 2009, Comedy Central featured him in their "Hot List" of comedians. He released his first stand-up album, "Shakespeare," in September 2011 with Comedy Central Records. The album was recorded at New York City's Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, marking a significant milestone in his comedy career.