Jared Hillman is a New York -raised and Los Angeles -based actor and filmmaker. He studied at New York University and Ithaca College, before being accepted to Brown University. He earned a scholarship to University of South Carolina School of Cinematic Arts, where he graduated magna cum laude from the production program. As an actor, he has guest-starred on television series like Psych, iCarly, NCIS: LA, Castle, Major Crimes, Without a Trace, and others, and has a supporting role in The Social Network.
Jared was first diagnosed with Crohn's disease over two decades ago. Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition. Jared has gone through the many phases of Crohn's disease, both physical and emotionally. He is continuously in the process of adaptation and learning what his body needs.
Behind the camera, Jared has written and directed commercials, narrative short films, and digital series. As part of creative duo Hillman/Helfgott, he co-produced/directed the award-winning short films, Tandem, The Listing Agent, and The Fake (and co-wrote the first two). Jared’s other directing ventures include The Jennies, the pilot The Pick-Up Sticks for New Form Digital, and The Escort, starring Doris Roberts.
He is also the co-creator and director of the AwesomenessTV series a Teen Survival Guide, which was expanded into a longer format for Verizon, and the director of L.O.L Surprise Unboxed!, a branded series with over 250 million views. Jared also recently served as live-action director of the Amazon Originals holiday film, L.O.L. Surprise Winter Disco.
Jared currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Natalie Lander,
Interviewed by our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Jared speaks about his experience being diagnosed with Crohn's disease and living every day with an invisible illness. He discusses the hardest aspects of working in the entertainment industry while living with Crohn's Disease. Jared also shares resources and advice to others who are living with the disease. Jared hopes that this interview will help others out there who suffer from Crohn’s or battles with similar conditions.
