In this installation of "Kahnversations," we interview John Lehr. John is a comedic performer, writer and producer working in television, film and theater. Lehr starred as Leslie Pool in 10 ITEMS OR LESS, the half-hour improvisational comedy series from Sony on TBS. Lehr also co-created and executive produced the series, which ran for three seasons.

Lehr is one of the original Geico Cavemen from the wildly successful commercial campaign. He appeared in dozens of spots, including the first commercial as a caveman boom operator, the caveman in therapy with Talia Shire, the tennis spot with Billy Jean King, Superbowl spots with Phil Simms, and many more.

Under their banner Howler Productions, Lehr and Hower have created multiple projects, most involving their unique improvisationally-based “hybrid” style found in QUICKDRAW (Hulu) 10 ITEMS (TBS) and MEMRON (a Slamdance award-winning mockumentary). With Lehr starring and Hower directing, the team recently completed LET IT RIDE, a half-hour comedy pilot set in Las Vegas for Comedy Central; RETREAT!, a half-hour comedy pilot set in a corporate retreat for NBC; KING OF BEERS, a half-hour comedy set in a brewery for EUE/Screengem; and JAILBAIT, a web series for Sony and Crackle.com.

In addition, Howler Productions created the pilots TEAM MCPHEARSON, an animated series inhabiting the world of Nascar for Fox starring Jeff Foxworthy; and JOHN LEHR MOVIE CLUB for TBS. Recently Lehr and Hower completed a pilot script for Sony Television in association with the BBC; finished a pilot script, THE LOOP, for HBO; and are currently developing a show with MTV.

As an actor, John has appeared in numerous television series, including FRIENDS, and was a series regular on JESSE, both for Warner Brothers/NBC. His feature film roles include THE SWEETEST THING and three Noah Baumbach films, KICKING AND SCREAMING, MR. JEALOUSY, and HIGHBALL.

Lehr’s critically acclaimed Comedic Lecture solo performances have had sold out runs in LA and New York. He is also a respected improvisational performer, having worked at the Organic Theater and Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago, The Montreal Comedy Festival, Chicago Improvisational Festival, and multiple venues in Los Angeles and New York.

John’s hosting credits include NEWS WEASELS for E!; I'M A CELEBRITY…GET ME OUT OF HERE for ABC; CBS’ special CLASH OF THE COMMERCIALS with co-host Heidi Klum; and JOHN LEHR'S MOVIE CLUB for TBS.

John is married to author Jennifer Lehr, with whom he has two children. The Lehrs reside in Los Angeles.

You can download or subscribe to the podcast for FREE by clicking below. If you like “Kahnversations,” please leave a rating or review on our iTunes page!

There are so many inspiring podcasts with fabulous stars out there. But their careers feel light years away from ours, don’t they? Wouldn’t it be great to hear from the guy who just booked his first pilot? Or the kid finally doing a studio pic after a bunch of low budget indies? Or the woman who’s been a series regular a few times but is only now becoming a name? What about the guy who’s been on a show for years and you know his face but what’shisnameagain? Or that actress who is now a freakin’ showrunner???? How’d THEY do it, right? How did they transition from relative obscurity, bartending and bottle service, to buying that house in Brentwood? We’re producing “Kahnversations,” a podcast that provides access to THOSE people -- your immediate predecessors -- so that you can learn from them while their battle scars are still fresh.

In “Kahnversations,” our own Ryan Bailey interviews some of Lesly Kahn & Company’s working actors, directors, and writers in order to learn how they got started in Hollywood, the challenges and hurdles they faced, and how they overcame the odds. (They also dish out some crazy stories!) Listen in and enjoy as these entertainers speak candidly about their paths, processes, and experiences. You might even hear a bit about how Lesly and the Kahnstitute have influenced and shaped their careers.

New "Kahnversations Podcast with Actor Jesse Lee Soffer!

In this installation of "Kahnversations," we interview Jesse Lee Soffer. Excelling past an ‘up-and-comer’, Jesse has firmly rooted himself in Hollywood soil, capturing the attention of audiences through his work in both television and film.

Jesse currently stars in the NBC drama CHICAGO P.D., which premiers its 4th season in September, where he plays the brash, young detective, Jay Halstead, a character which he also portrayed in the companion series, CHICAGO FIRE and crossed over into a third show, LAW AND ORDER: SVU. Stemming from a long history in television, Soffer got his start on the small screen in 1995, starring in the TV Movie, FROM THE MIXED UP FILES OF BASIL E. FRANKWEILER, opposite the legendary Lauren Bacall, before being cast by director Richard Shepard in AMC’s long-form presentation THE ROYALE.

Soffer’s recent television appearances include a co-starring role on THE MOB DOCTOR for FOX, RIZZOLI & ISLES for TNT, and the CBS series’ THE MENTALIST and CSI MIAMI, Jesse also landed major roles in the TV Movies, JODI ARIES: DIRTY LITTLE SECRET and NBC's HATFIELDS AND MCCOYS” opposite Virginia Madsen and Sophia Bush, and was cast as a series regular on the Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen sitcom, TWO OF A KIND.

Not limited to only primetime, Jesse made a successful run on daytime television as well, being cast on both CBS serials GUIDING LIGHT and AS THE WORLD TURNS. His portrayal of troubled youth Will Munson earned him three consecutive Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series in 2006, 2007 and 2008, as well as a Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Younger Lead Actor in 2005.

Soffer has been able to transition to features as well, in fact, beginning his acting career at the age of 8, starring alongside John Goodman and Cathy Moriarty in the film MATINEE for Universal. Jesse can also be seen in the films, IN TIME, alongside Justin Timberlake, Davis Guggenheim’s GRACIE, opposite Elisabeth Shue and Dermot Mulroney, SAFE PASSAGE, where he plays the son of Susan Sarandon and Sam Shepard, and starred as Bobby Brady in both THE BRADY BUNCH MOVIE, and A VERY BRADY SEQUEL.

When he is not filming, Jesse resides in Los Angeles.

You can download or subscribe to the podcast for FREE by clicking below. If you like “Kahnversations,” please leave a rating or review on our iTunes page!

__________________________________

So many inspiring podcasts out there allow us to hear all about how well-established stars got to where they are today. But those actors are so faaaaaaar away from where so many of us are today! Wouldn’t it be great to hear from the guy who just booked his first pilot? Or the kid finally doing a studio pic after a bunch of low budget indies? Or the woman who’s been a series regular a few times but is only now becoming a name? What about the guy who’s been on a show for years and you know his face but what’shisnameagain? Or that actress who is now a freakin’ showrunner???? How’d THEY do it, right? How did they transition from relative obscurity, bartending and bottle service, to buying that house in the hills?

We’re producing “Kahnversations,” a podcast that provides access to THOSE people -- your immediate predecessors -- so that you can learn from them while their battle scars are still fresh.

In “Kahnversations,” our own Ryan Bailey interviews some of Lesly Kahn & Company’s working actors, directors, and writers in order to learn how they got started in Hollywood, the challenges and hurdles they faced, and how they overcame the odds. (They also dish out some crazy stories!) Listen in and enjoy as these entertainers speak candidly about their paths, processes, and experiences. You might even hear a bit about how Lesly and the Kahnstitute have influenced and shaped their careers.