Jason Greene (born February 2, 1988)[1][non-primary source needed], also known as Freckle or Aunt Freckle, is an American actor and internet personality. [2] They are known for their role in the YouTube web series The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo as Freckle, a character known for delivering witty one-liners in a deadpan tone.[3] They have also appeared in the television series Search Party and Everything Is Free.[4]
Greene grew up with several half-siblings and developed a passion for acting at a young age, often performing scenes with their older sister.[5] Greene sought out acting roles since their youth, such as playing Jesus in a middle school production of The Last Supper.[2]
At age 14, Greene was accepted into the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, despite a lack of formal training, auditioning with self-taught monologues.[2][3][5] They befriended artists such as pop artist Kesha and spent time backstage at various performances at venues like Spaceland and Echo.[3] After graduation, Greene met Brian Jordan Alvarez and encouraged Alvarez to create his popular internet videos, including skits such as "What Actually Happens When Gay Guys See Other Gay Guys and Straight People Aren't Around".[3]
Around the time of their graduation, Greene received the Emerging Young Artist Award, which included a scholarship from the state of California. They used this scholarship to study at studios including Groundlings, Meisner, and with the Alexander Technique.[5]
Career
Greene has said that during high school and the early stages of their career, they were confident about their future success, citing their prestigious school and award.[5][6] When a visual artist working on a documentary about Greene's life quit the project, they reportedly told Greene to "let [their] delusions fuel [them]," which Greene interpreted as advice to believe in the impossible to achieve success.[6] Greene also mentions the works of Esther Hicks as a source of confidence.[6]
Early in their career, Greene felt their queerness hindered their ability to get roles.[2] They struggled to find television roles as a gay person, as their image didn't fit the networks' perception of Middle America.[5] In 2010, they performed a joke audition for American Idol, singing "I Touch Myself."[5] A clip of the performance was used in a Super Bowl commercial and appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[5] Greene was interviewed about it on Fox News.[5]
After years of relative obscurity, Greene achieved internet success.[2] Their role in The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo is considered their breakthrough role;[2]Memes on the blogging website Tumblr contributed to their rising popularity.[7] Greene has since appeared in films, television, music videos, and internet videos, occasionally playing trans characters.[2]
Greene currently partners with Fluide Beauty, a cosmetics company targeting people of all genders, starring in a miniseries called Freckle Goes Fluide.[8] Greene also collaborates with the visual journalism site Damn Joan, hosting "Ask Aunt Freckle".[9]
Their main goal is visibility, regardless of whether major networks feature LGBTQ+ characters.[7]
Greene frequently communicating through the social media platform Instagram in order to maintain a close relationship with their fans.[7]
Personal life
Greene identifies as genderfluid, claiming they have a "meta" experience with their gender.[2] Having been raised by socially liberal parents, Greene always felt free to express themselves femininely, and they aim to be a visible example of genderfluidity.[2]
Greene previously used the pronoun "it," both reclaiming a derogatory term for trans people and referencing so-called "it girls".[5] On social justice issues, they prefer open dialogue.[3] Religiously, Greene connects with Buddhism, Zen, and Daoism.[6] They studied chakras while working on emotional availability to improve their acting.[5]
Freckle
The name Freckle originated as a joking stripper name created by Greene.[6] Greene revived the name at their first drag show, when asked if they did drag by a performer.[6] Greene explains the inspiration behind the name as "a freckle in space is a star".[6] Greene appreciates the name's gender-neutral quality.[5] Initially a pet name, Freckle and the character have become integrated into Greene's identity.[3][7]
The Freckle persona was conceived by Greene as an act for clubs and shows.[3] Freckle was envisioned as a modern flapper, with a gender role reversal: instead of short hair and trousers, Greene's version is a boy with long hair wearing a skirt.[6] Greene also wanted Freckle to be perceived as someone who quickly rose to fame from humble beginnings, similar to Joan Crawford.[6] Freckle was further developed at the Groundlings improv comedy school as a circus runaway.[3] Over time, the character has evolved alongside Greene.[3]
Greene describes Freckle as a "kind of… vaudeville, smoky, chanteuse, courtesan-concubine, you know, mistress of the dark, Silver Lake lady-boy" inspired by both their grandmother's elegance and her "boozy, floozy" personality.[3] Greene also cites singers and silver screen actresses like Judy Garland, Bette Davis, and Joan Crawford as inspirations.[7] Additionally, Greene describes Freckle as a quirky aunt, often with a martini in hand.[5] The character is mainly known from Greene's performance in the web series The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo, but their first appearance in one of Alvarez's videos is in "When Your Gender Fluid Friend Gets More Attention from Straight Guys Than You".[3]
Greene has used the character Freckle in charity calendars, to raise money for the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center.[10]
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