Jay Chandrasekhar

Actor, Writer, Director

Jay Chandrasekhar (birthname: Jay Jambulingam Chandrasekhar) is one of the guiding creative minds behind the long-running comedy troupe Broken Lizard, the group’s brand into movies with cult hits, starting with Super Troopers (2001), with fellow Broken Lizard company members Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, Erik Stolhanske, and Kevin Hefferman, along with Brian Cox and Marisa Coughlan.

The sequel, Super Troopers 2, with guest actors Cox and Rob Lowe, arrived 17 years later in 2018.

Chandrasekhar made his filmmaking debut as director/editor of Broken Lizard’s self-funded movie debut, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, Puddle Cruise (1996). After Super Troopers, Chandrasekhar led the Broken Lizard as director/writer of the slasher-horror spoof, Club Dread (2004), with guest star Bill Paxton.

Jay Chandrasekhar’s first mainstream studio (Warner Bros.) film as director only was the updated remake of the TV series, The Dukes of Hazzard (2005), with Johnny Knoxville, Seann William Scott, Jessica Simpson, Burt Reynolds, and Willie Nelson, earning over $111 million worldwide.

Chandrasekhar then directed and starred in Beerfest (2006), reuniting the Broken Lizard gang with a bigger budget (via Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. distribution), with guest stars Will Forte, Mo’Nique, and Cloris Leachman.

Chandrasekhar let fellow Lizard Kevin Heffernan take over the directing reins of a Broken Lizard feature comedy, The Slammin’ Salmon (2009). Chandrasekhar co-starred and co-wrote with guest stars Michael Clarke Duncan and Olivia Munn. Jay Chandrasekhar’s next film directing the comedy group was a pure filmed recording of their live act, Broken Lizard Stands Up (2010).

Jay Chandrasekhar made an unexpected move away from the Lizards, partnering with producer Jason Blum for the relationship comedy, The Babymakers (2012), with Paul Schneider and Olivia Munn. Chandrasekhar, after the much-delayed Super Troopers 2, was director and supporting cast member without any fellow Broken Lizards for Universal Studios’ Easter Sunday (2022), with Jo Koy, Jimmy O. Yang, Tia Carrere, Tiffany Haddish, and Lou Diamond Phillips.

Chandrasekhar was director/lead actor/co-writer (with the Broken Lizards team) of the sequel, Super Troopers 3 (2026), with Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, Erik Stolhanske, Chace Crawford and Brian Cox, and which was released wide by Searchlight Pictures. Jay Chandrasekhar has previously appeared as a supporting actor in such comedies as Jackass Number Two (2006); I Love You, Man (2009), with Paul Rudd; the Broken Lizard-produced ensemble comedy, Freeloaders (2012), with Clifton Collins, Jr., Jane Seymour, Olivia Munn, and Dave Foley; and Natalie Morales’ 2021 comedy, Plan B.

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Personal Life
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Facts

Jay Chandrasekhar Photos and Videos

Super Troopers 2 - RED BAND TRAILER

Jay Chandrasekhar Hung Out (Carefully) With Willie Nelson

Super Troopers 2: Jay Chandrasekhar World Premire Red Carpet

Personal life

Chicago-born Jay Chandrasekhar was raised by Tamil-born doctors Arcot and Hema Chandrasekhar, along with two sisters, one named Sandy. Growing up in the Chicago suburbs of Oak Park and Hinsdale, Chandrasekhar graduated from the college prep institute, Lake Forest Academy, and later graduated from Colgate University, with a major in European History and a minor in Philosophy. He formed the comedy sketch group Charred Goosebeak at Colgate U. and later, when the grads assembled in New York City, renamed themselves Broken Lizard. He has been married to actor Susan Clarke since 2005; the couple has twin daughters and a son. His height is 6’½”. ADD: Chandrasekhar’s estimated net worth is $5 million.

Known For

Super Troopers

(2001)

Club Dread

(2004)

Beerfest

(2006)

The Dukes of Hazzard

(2005)

Jay Chandrasekhar Movies

Actor

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Previous (3)

2026 |
Super Troopers 3
Super Troopers 3
2026
Comedy, Crime, Mystery
When Farva's over-the-top Indian engagement to Thorny's sister spirals into chaos, the Super Troopers must navigate Thorny's schemes to break up the relationship, all while trying to bring down a pernicious new drug ring
More Info Watch Now
asThorny
2022 |
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday
2022
Comedy
Set around a family gathering to celebrate Easter Sunday, the comedy is based on Jo Koy's life experiences and stand-up comedy.
More Info Watch Now
asNick
2018 |
Super Troopers 2
Super Troopers 2
2018
Comedy, Crime, Mystery
When a border dispute arises between the U.S. and Canada, the Super Troopers are tasked with establishing a Highway Patrol station in the disputed area.
More Info Watch Now
asThorny

Director

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Previous (3)

2022 |
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday
2022
Comedy
Set around a family gathering to celebrate Easter Sunday, the comedy is based on Jo Koy's life experiences and stand-up comedy.
More Info Watch Now
2018 |
Super Troopers 2
Super Troopers 2
2018
Comedy, Crime, Mystery
When a border dispute arises between the U.S. and Canada, the Super Troopers are tasked with establishing a Highway Patrol station in the disputed area.
More Info Watch Now
2005 |
The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard
2005
Comedy
Cousins Bo, Luke, and Daisy Duke, and their uncle Jesse, egg on the authorities of Hazzard County, Boss Hogg and Sheriff Coltrane.
More Info Watch Now

Writer

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Previous (1)

2018 |
Super Troopers 2
Super Troopers 2
2018
Comedy, Crime, Mystery
When a border dispute arises between the U.S. and Canada, the Super Troopers are tasked with establishing a Highway Patrol station in the disputed area.
More Info Watch Now

Facts About Jay Chandrasekhar

Frat Boy: Jay Chandrasekhar’s movies are known for a somewhat frat-boy sense of humor, partly because some members of his original comedy sketch group, Charred Goosebeak, came from his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, at Colgate University.

Awards Confusion: Chandrasekhar has the curious distinction of winning major awards from the leading American festivals, South by Southwest and the Hamptons International Film Festival, and also being nominated for worst director from the Razzie Awards and the Stinkers Bad Movie Awards.

What’s in a Middle Name? Jay Chandrasekhar claims that he learned at age 25 that his Tamil middle name, Jambulingam, literally means “large penis.”

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