Born and raised in Los Angeles, Kesselman received his Bachelors degree from the University of Colorado, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He received his Masters Degree in Film Production from the University of Southern California School of Cinema/Television in 2001. Jonathan taught ‘Writing Comedy for Film and Television’ at Yale University. Jonathan has also lectured at: The School of Visual Arts in NYC, The Los Angeles Film School, California State University Northridge, Pulse College (Dublin), and Griffith College (Dublin). 

Jonathan wrote and directed his first feature “The Hebrew Hammer” That premiered in 2003 at Sundance. His next feature “Jimmy Vestvood” launched at the Austin Film Festival. He has written and directed second unit for Ang Lee’s “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” Currently in post production, is the fact-based comedy “Gander”.

As well as his own films, Jonathan has been a screenwriter for Fox, Paramount, Nickelodeon, Disney, Disney XD, Sony, Blue Sky Animation, MTV, Comedy Central studios, The Irish Film Board, and WWE (yes, it’s fake). 

Jonathan also works as a commercial director with such clients as Nintendo, Renault, Red Mango, Canon, Irish Rail, DDB RX, American Media Inc., and the Mr. Olympia contest.