Jo Ellis

Jo Ellis is a stand-up comedian, former Army Black Hawk pilot, and Air Medal recipient based in Austin, Texas. After more than 16 years in the Army National Guard, she transitioned from military aviation to comedy, bringing a perspective shaped by service, faith, and personal reinvention. A trans woman and Jewish convert, Jo's comedy combines sharp storytelling, military gallows humor, and observations about culture, identity, and belonging. She has appeared on The Daily Show, DarkHorse, and Kill Tony, and has been featured by outlets including WIRED, NPR, The Guardian, Military.com, and numerous national media publications. Jo is a principal subject in the feature documentary Fighting Forward and appears as a featured extra in the upcoming film MeeMaw, starring Roseanne Barr and directed by Allen Covert. She is currently based in Austin, Texas.