Who's Jeanfi Janssens ?

Last week, the Alliance Francaise de San Francisco had the pleasure of hosting the hilarious French comedian Jeanfi for a lively evening of stand-up comedy! For many in our community, this was their first encounter with his sharp humor, warm personality and very french comedic flair. Jeanfi is known for his quick wit, playful self deprecation, and ability to transform everyday situations that either he or the average joe goes through into laugh-out-loud reenactments. 

A little about him ; Jeanfi’s full name is Jean-Philippe Janssens, born on December 8, 1973, in Maubeuge, in the Nord region of northern France. If you’re wondering why his last name doesn’t sound too french, that's because his family heritage includes roots in Ukraine : his grandparents are cited as being of Ukrainian origin. After finishing secondary studies, Jean-Fi pursued higher education in languages. He earned a DEUG (Diplôme d’études universitaires générales) in languages and civilizations. With that degree in hand, he moved to the south of France and began working as a flight attendant with Air France. During his time stewarding, he began trying out comedic sketches on his off time performing at open-mic nights and small comedy venues. 

In 2011, he made a life-changing decision : relocating to Paris to immerse himself more fully in the French comedy scene. His first one-man show was titled “Au sol et en vol” (“On the ground and in flight”), a nod to his life as a steward. He then started appearing on French television on programs like Recherche Appartement ou Maison which raised his profile. 

Now on track to becoming a French household name, American audiences may not yet be familiar with him, which made his San Francisco debut a rare treat. His visit gave us the opportunity to share not just laughter, but also a glimpse into today’s French comedic culture.

We’re delighted to have introduced Jeanfi to our Bay Area community, and we look forward to welcoming more artists like him who bring French cultural life to the heart of San Francisco.