How a Former Pool Monitor Became TikTok's Most Relatable Comedy Star During Lockdown
Joshua Neal represents the perfect example of how the pandemic transformed everyday people into digital stars. What started as a simple download four days before lockdown has evolved into a multi-million follower empire and a legitimate acting career that spans from TikTok skits to HBO productions.
**From Pool Monitor to Viral Sensation**
Before becoming a household name on social media, Neal was living a pretty ordinary life in San Francisco, working as what he playfully calls an "aquatics director" at Equinox (though he admits it was really just pool monitoring). He was already chasing his acting dreams, hitting auditions between shifts, when the pandemic hit and everything changed. Like millions of others, he found himself suddenly unemployed and stuck at home with nothing but time and a smartphone.
**The Art of Relatable Comedy**
Neal's content strategy is refreshingly straightforward - he takes those awkward, funny situations we all experience and turns them into bite-sized comedy gold. His early videos featured him lip-syncing to movie scenes, but he quickly discovered his real talent lay in writing and performing original material. These aren't polished, over-produced clips; they're raw, relatable moments that feel like conversations with a friend who happens to be really good at impressions and timing.
**From Viral Videos to Professional Sets**
The TikTok success opened doors that traditional auditions might not have. Neal landed roles in several projects, including HBO's "The Black Lady Sketch Show" and the 2025 comedy film "One of Them Days" alongside Keke Palmer and SZA, where he plays a character named Keshawn. His Meisner training clearly shows in his work - there's a naturalism to his performances that translates whether he's doing a 15-second TikTok or a full film scene. He's also appeared in various short films with titles like "Thug," "Fitting In," and "Wouldn't Mean Nuthin'," working opposite established actors like Tristan Wilds.
**Building an Empire One Skit at a Time**
Today, Neal boasts over 1.5 million followers on TikTok alone, where his content ranges from grooming tips to acting reels and those signature comedy skits that made him famous. His October 29th birthday makes him a Scorpio, which might explain his ability to tap into those deeper, more emotionally resonant moments even in comedy. What sets him apart isn't just the numbers - it's how he's managed to maintain authenticity while scaling up, proving that sometimes the best content comes from simply paying attention to the absurdity of everyday life.