Hi I’m Barak

I like making things And talking about making things.

I’ve made my living acting in LA (more or less) for the last 17 years, worming my way into your subconscious in a million commercials, some killer indie horror films and pop up in some of your favorite tv comedies. I spent a decade touring with Isaac Improv, and later performing at Upright Citizen Brigades house sketch team New Money. I’m also a writer, filmmaker, host and anything else you want to hire me for.

I’m also an artist with a wanderlust every kind of creative adventure, currently exploring miniature landscapes, polymer clay sculptures and illustration. My work hangs in hundreds of homes and in recent gallery shows at Gallery 1988 and Hive Gallery in LA.

Thanks for letting me share my work with you. I’m always making something new, so sign up for my newsletter to keep up to date.

My story

  • I grew up with three pillars in my life: art, comedy, and religion. My high school youth group provided the perfect stage for me as I performed in elaborate comedy shows inspired by my heroes on Saturday Night Live. My college experience took me to the prairies of Wyoming, where I spent three challenging years studying at a strict fundamentalist Bible school, dedicating myself to ministry. Over the years, I worked in tiny country church-plants to serving on the staff at megachurches. I co-founded the traveling comedy troupe Isaac Improv, bringing laughter to hundreds of thousands in churches across America and beyond. I finally settled in as a pastor in the East Bay area, where I looked forward to a future as a speaker, author, and minister, spreading a message of hope and love through my writing, comedy, and creative skills.

    Unfortunately, as I began to deconstruct my faith, those dreams fell apart as I left behind the church that had fostered all my creative adventures. Though I eventually found a new worldview of skepticism, rationality, and secular humanism, I found myself facing my 30s alone, broke, and lost. I decided to roll the dice and take my chance at Hollywood.

  • Moving to Hollywood was a leap of faith into a different kind of creative adventure. I immersed myself in acting, writing, and art, embracing every opportunity to expand my skills and explore new creative territories. I have since appeared in over 100 national commercials, written and starred in the award-winning film "Spell," and made notable appearances on popular shows such as "The Office," "Community," and "The Big Bang Theory." My comedic skills were honed at renowned institutions like UCB, Groundlings, and Second City. Click here to learn more.

  • Along the way I’ve kept up the incessant drawing of early days, and now my personal artistic journeys span various mediums, including illustration, polymer clay sculpture, woodworking, lightboxes, miniature landscapes, and graphic design. My real passion is seeing a fun idea all the way through, so I’m always pushing myself. I also love commissions for the chance to collaborate closely with clients, creating unique and meaningful pieces. Click here to learn more.

  • Join me on this creative journey. Explore my work, learn more about my story, and discover how we can collaborate to bring your dreams to life. Whether it's through acting, art, or creative consultancy, I'm here to help you navigate the creative process and achieve your goals. Click here to learn more.

Upwards Spiral Logo

The Upwards Spiral logo represents my approach to creating: finding a direction to journey, navigating the challenges and opportunities along the way, and ending up in a better place. This symbol reflects the continuous growth and improvement that I aim to inspire in all my clients.