Colin Jost: American Comedian, Writer & Television Personality

Introduction

Colin Jost is an American comedian, actor, and writer, known for his biting self-deprecating humor. He has carved out a career over two decades that includes late-night television, stand-up comedy, memoir writing and game show hosting. Jost’s rise from humble roots on Staten Island to one of the most recognizable faces on American late-night TV is a testament to his perseverance, intelligence and comic timing. He may be best known to millions of viewers as the co-anchor of Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live, a role he has played since 2014.

Colin Jost Biography

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Colin Kelly Jost
Date of Birth	June 29, 1982
Age (2026)	43 years
Birthplace	Staten Island, New York City, USA
Parents	Daniel A. Jost (teacher), Kerry J. Kelly (chief medical officer, NYC Fire Department)
Siblings	Casey Jost (writer/producer, Impractical Jokers)
Education	Regis High School (2000); Harvard University, BA in History & Literature (2004, cum laude)
Other Work	Co-hosted 70th Primetime Emmy Awards (2018); wrote & starred in Staten Island Summer (2015); host of Pop Culture Jeopardy! (Amazon Prime Video)
Awards	2 Primetime Emmy Awards, 19 Emmy nominations; 5 Writers Guild Awards; 2 Peabody Awards
Books	A Very Punchable Face: A Memoir (2020)
Spouse	Scarlett Johansson (married 2020)
Children	1 son (born 2021); stepfather to Johansson’s daughter
Website	colinjost.com

Early life and education

Colin Jost was born on June 29, 1982 in Staten Island, New York, in the neighborhood of Grymes Hill, to Dan, a teacher at Staten Island Tech, and Kerry, the chief medical officer for the FDNY. He grew up in a working-class, down-to-earth environment which would later provide rich material for his comedy. His younger brother Casey also became a comedic actor and writer for the show Impractical Jokers.

Jost got an early start on a writing career, working as a teen correspondent for his local paper, the Staten Island Advance, in high school and then as an intern in college. Then he went to one of the world’s most prestigious universities. He graduated from Harvard University in 2004 with a degree in history and literature. He was president of the Harvard Lampoon and wrote for The Harvard Crimson. The Harvard Lampoon has a long history of creating comedy icons, and Jost was no exception – his years there honed the comedic instincts that would shape his career.

Professional life

After graduating, Jost returned to the copy desk of his local paper, where he took a chance and submitted a few sketches to SNL for consideration. He got an interview with then-head writer Tina Fey and eventually a meeting with Lorne Michaels from his cold call entry. In 2005, at 22, he became one of the youngest writing recruits on the show.

He has been a staff writer for Saturday Night Live since 2005 and co-anchor of Weekend Update since 2014. He was also a co-head writer on the show from 2012 to 2015, and returned as one of the show’s head writers from 2017 to 2022, alongside Michael Che. Like Tina Fey and Seth Meyers before him, Jost is one of the few SNL head writers to successfully transition to an on-camera talent.

Besides SNL, Jost has gone in a lot of different directions with his career. In July 2020, he published a memoir, A Very Punchable Face, which was well received and made the New York Times bestseller list. He has also featured in movies such as Tom & Jerry (2021), How to Be Single (2016). Most recently, Netflix picked up Pop Culture Jeopardy! for a second season, further cementing his reputation as a versatile entertainer. In 2025, Jost received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the College of Staten Island, CUNY, for his contributions to comedy, television and community service.

Colin Jost Wife

Colin Jost is married to Scarlett Johansson, who’s one of the biggest and most famous actresses in Hollywood. Let us take a look at Scarlett Johansson, the woman, behind the name.

Life Personal

Colin and Scarlett’s love story began on the set of SNL. The two first met in January 2006 when Scarlett Johansson was brought in to host an episode of Season 31. They met that day, but love did not bloom for years. The duo announced their engagement in May 2019, and Scarlett confirmed the news during her opening monologue while hosting SNL for the sixth time in December of that year, when she said, “I have so many friends here and I met the love of my life here.”

The couple wed in an intimate ceremony in October 2020, taking COVID-19 safety precautions, and shared the news in a charitable Instagram post in support of Meals on Wheels America. In August 2021, Scarlett Johansson gave birth to their son Cosmo and Jost broke the news on social media: “Ok ok we had a baby. His name is Cosmo. “We love him so much.” Jost is also a stepdad to Johansson’s daughter, Rose, whom she shares with her first marriage. “Rose is a very nice, loving sister,” Jost said of the sisters. In a rare personal admission, Jost told The New York Times part of the reason he fell in love with Johansson is that “she’s a great mom.”

Colin Jost Net Worth

By 2025, Colin Jost has an estimated net worth of $10 million, earned from his career as a writer, actor, and comedian. He reportedly makes $25,000 per episode as a main cast member and writer on Saturday Night Live, particularly as co-anchor of Weekend Update, which would be about $525,000 a year from SNL alone. His memoir sales, stand up comedy tours and film appearances, as well as his role as host of Pop Culture Jeopardy! are other income streams.

Social Media Profile

Colin Jost has a relatively low-key but active social media presence that fits his deadpan comic persona. He’s active on Instagram, where he famously announced the birth of his son Cosmo in a characteristically low-key post. More a way of marking personal milestones and supporting charitable causes than of self-promotion, it speaks to his grounded nature. And his wife Scarlett Johansson also famously keeps her social media accounts private – the pair deliberately keep their family life out of the public spotlight.

Connections

Prior to marrying Scarlett Johansson, Colin Jost kept his love life private. The couple’s relationship became romantic around 2016, after first meeting a decade earlier on the SNL set. Their relationship moved at a steady pace, from red carpet appearances to a quiet engagement and a private pandemic wedding. Johansson was married to actor Ryan Reynolds from 2008 to 2011, and to French journalist Romain Dauriac from 2014 to 2017; she has one daughter, Rose, with Dauriac. Jost has welcomed his blended family with open arms, and the couple is considered one of the more private, grounded celebrity couples in Hollywood.

Achievements and Awards

Colin Jost is a talented guy and he’s been recognized in a lot of areas. He is a two-time Primetime Emmy Award winner and has been nominated for 19 Emmys as of 2025, including a nomination for Outstanding Host for a Game Show for Pop Culture Jeopardy! He has won five Writers Guild of America Awards for Comedy/Variety Series for his work on Saturday Night Live (2007, 2009, 2010, 2017 and 2018). He also worked on the SNL writing team that won two Peabody Awards for their political satire, one in 2009 and another in 2017. He also proved that he could reach audiences beyond the television screen, with his book A Very Punchable Face becoming a New York Times bestseller.

In conclusion,

Colin Jost is a unique type of performer, just as comfortable behind the writer’s desk as in front of the camera. From a curious kid writing for his local Staten Island newspaper, to one of the longest-serving and most beloved figures in Saturday Night Live history, his journey is a testament to both intellectual rigor and comedic bona fides. With a life thriving with a family life and Scarlett Johansson, a bestselling memoir, a growing television presence and accolades that keep on coming, Colin Jost’s legacy in American comedy is well and truly cemented.