Ze Frank

Ze Frank, born Hosea Jan Frank, is a online performance artist, composer, humorist, and public speaker known for his contributions to digital media, online comedy, and viral video content. Frank holds a neuroscience degree from Brown University and has a background in music with the band Dowdy Smack. His career in online entertainment began with the viral video "How to Dance Properly," originally created as a party invitation, which quickly gained widespread attention and led to significant web traffic to his personal website. The site expanded to feature interactive group projects, short films, animations, and video games, establishing Frank as a leader in internet culture and digital storytelling.

Frank received a Webby Award for Best Personal Website (People's Voice) and was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the "50 Coolest Websites." He launched the daily video blog "The Show with Ze Frank," which was noted by Slate.com for its sustained comedic impact on the web. Frank's innovative approach to audience participation and rapid-fire comedic delivery influenced a generation of YouTube creators and digital content producers. The series was later revived as "A Show," which explored themes such as emotion and relationships, with episodes including "How to Fight as a Couple" and "Teen Brain with Rainn Wilson."

Frank has delivered presentations at TED Conferences and served as an adjunct professor at institutions including ITP/NYU, Parsons School of Design, and SUNY Purchase, contributing to the fields of digital media and creative technology education.

After BuzzFeed acquired his company Ze Frank Games, Frank launched and led BuzzFeed's video business in Los Angeles, overseeing the development of BuzzFeed Motion Pictures. Under his leadership, the company expanded its video offerings, increasing monthly views significantly and launching popular projects such as Tasty, a video-based recipe platform. Frank's work at BuzzFeed focused on digital video production, viral media, and online audience engagement.

Frank is also known for the "True Facts" video series, including "True Facts About Baby Echidnas" and "True Facts About the Octopus," which combine scientific research footage with humorous narration. These videos, often created in collaboration with animal biologists, reflect Frank's scientific background and commitment to science communication through digital media. His influence on online comedy, digital storytelling, and viral video production continues to shape the landscape of internet entertainment.