Josie Totah (born October 23, 1996) is an American actress and writer. She gained prominence for her television and film work in the 2010s, notably portraying a recurring character on the sitcom Young & Hungry and starring in the feature film Bad Santa 2. Totah is recognized for her comedic timing and for being one of the few transgender actors in mainstream Hollywood productions.
Early life and education
Josie Totah was born in Sacramento, California. Their family later relocated to the Los Angeles area, where Totah attended schools that supported their interest in performing arts. Specific details regarding higher education or formal training have not been widely publicized.
Career
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Television: Totah's early television appearances include guest roles on The Thundermans, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and The Middle. In 2014, Totah joined the cast of the Freeform sitcom Young & Hungry as Gigi, a friend of the main character. Their performance was noted for its humor and energy, contributing to the show’s continued popularity.
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Film: Totah made a notable film appearance in Bad Santa 2 (2016), playing the role of Jangle, a young activist. The role marked one of Totah's first major parts in a feature-length production.
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Writing and advocacy: Beyond acting, Totah has contributed to scripts and comedic sketches, often collaborating with other writers on digital platforms. They have also been an outspoken advocate for transgender representation in media, discussing their own transition publicly in 2018 and emphasizing the importance of authentic casting.
Personal life
In 2018, Totah publicly came out as transgender and announced the use of he/him and they/them pronouns. The announcement was accompanied by a personal essay and a video where Totah discussed his journey, challenges faced in the entertainment industry, and his hopes for increased visibility for trans individuals. Since then, Totah has been involved in various panels and interviews focusing on LGBTQ+ issues.
Recognition
Josie Totah has been featured in media outlets such as Variety and The Hollywood Reporter for both his acting performances and contributions to transgender advocacy. While not the recipient of major industry awards, his work has been cited as a positive step toward broader representation in entertainment.
Filmography (selected)
| Year | Title | Role | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2015 | Young & Hungry | Gigi | Television (recurring) |
| 2016 | Bad Santa 2 | Jangle | Film |
| 2017 | The Thundermans | Guest appearance | Television |
| 2020 | The Kid (short) | Writer/Actor | Short film |
References
- Variety, “Josie Totah Comes Out as Transgender, Announces Pronouns,” 2018.
- The Hollywood Reporter, “‘Young & Hungry’ Star Josie Totah Discusses Transition,” 2019.
- IMDb, “Josie Totah – Biography.”
External links
- Official IMDb page
- Official social media profiles (Twitter, Instagram)
Note: All information presented is sourced from publicly available, verifiable media and interviews.