Jack Innanen Reflects on His Path to Stardom in New York

As he strolls through familiar streets, Jack Innanen finds himself reminiscing about the challenging early days of his New York journey. The actor, known for his role as Paul Baker on FX's hit series "Adults," recalls the frigid reality of living in a cramped apartment with a gas leak, a time that tested his resilience.

"My buddy and I thought we were going to be living the high life with our budget," Innanen shares, reflecting on the tiny space that lacked heat and hot water for four months. "It was a brutal experience of being in your early 20s trying to make it in New York." This gritty backdrop has informed his performance in the comedy, which returns for its second season on Thursday.

Innanen's rise to fame has been meteoric since the show's premiere in May 2025. The sitcom, co-created by Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw, follows a group of friends navigating life in Queens and has become a breakout series for its cast. The 27-year-old has also appeared in Netflix's "Big Mistakes," showcasing his versatility as an actor.

Despite the contrasting tones between his two shows—one an absurd sitcom and the other a crime comedy—Innanen relishes both experiences. "They're such different experiences but the most fun I've ever had is working both," he says. Playing Paul Baker, a character who mirrors his own life as a Canadian newcomer to New York, Innanen finds a unique connection. "He’s me, but so far less anxious," he jokes, appreciating the lighter side of his character.

Some of the plot points have struck Innanen as eerily familiar. He recounted a moment in the show where Paul mentions sleeping on a friend's floor and getting scabies, a scenario he experienced himself. "I was like, ‘When did I tell you guys about this?’" he laughs, marveling at how closely the show's writing aligns with his real-life experiences.

Before acting became his full-time pursuit, Innanen studied astrophysics at the University of Toronto while creating videos as a hobby. After a pivotal moment of self-reflection at 20, he switched to art school and embraced his passion for performance during the pandemic. His career took off when he landed auditions, the first being for "Adults," which he almost hesitated to answer.

Despite his success, Innanen remains grounded, planning to engage with fans on TikTok during the release weekend of the new season. "I cleared the weekend. I’m harassing people in the comments," he says, embodying the playful spirit that has characterized his journey.

Source: wwd.com