Julio Torres
Born 1987 · Age 38
Salvadoran-American writer, comedian, actor; SNL writer; co-creator/executive producer of HBO's Los Espookys and Fantasmas; writer/director/star of Problemista; creator of HBO special My Favorite Shapes and children's book I Want to Be a Vase.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in San Salvador, El Salvador
Julio Torres is born in San Salvador to father Julio (civil engineer) and mother Tita (architect and fashion designer).
Grew up above mother's clothing store
Lived in an apartment above his mother's clothing store where his mother sewed clothes for him and his sister; formative visual/art influences.
Childhood during final years of Salvadoran Civil War
Raised during the last years of the Salvadoran Civil War; recalls hiding under the dining table with his mother during attacks.
Grandfather dies; family moves to farmhouse
At age 11 his grandfather died and his family moved to a farmhouse outside the city after his mother's store closed.
Attended private high school on scholarship
Julio and his sister received scholarships to attend a private high school in San Salvador.
Enrolled in two-year advertising program
After high school Julio enrolled in a two-year advertising program in El Salvador (timing approximate after secondary school).
Worked at an ad agency in El Salvador
After completing the advertising program, Torres worked at an advertising agency prior to moving to the U.S.
Convinced relatives to fund New York college and moved to Manhattan
Made a presentation to relatives to secure funds to attend college in New York; moved to Manhattan after receiving a scholarship to Eugene Lang College, The New School.
Admitted to Eugene Lang College at The New School
Enrolled (on scholarship) at Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at The New School in Manhattan; majored in English literature and studied playwriting.
Graduated from The New School (BA)
Completed a BA in English literature and studies in playwriting at The New School (Eugene Lang), graduating in 2011.
Career begins (years active listed from 2012)
Listed as active from 2012 onward; early career development in comedy and writing begins after college.
Writer/performer on The Chris Gethard Show
Worked as a writer and performer on The Chris Gethard Show (truTV) prior to being hired at SNL; filmography notes appearances 2015–2016.
Hired as a writer for Saturday Night Live
Joined the SNL writing staff in 2016; contributed sketches including 'Papyrus' and 'Wells for Boys'.
Primetime Emmy nomination (SNL writing team)
Nominated for an Emmy as part of the Saturday Night Live writing team (Television Academy lists 2016 nomination).
Nominated multiple times with SNL for Writers/Variety writing awards
Part of SNL's writing team during a period that earned multiple industry nominations (WGA/Writers-related categories noted in public records and categorizations).
Primetime Emmy nomination (SNL writing team)
Another Emmy nomination as member of the Saturday Night Live writing staff (Television Academy lists 2017 nomination).
Frequent late-night TV appearances
Made appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and other late-night programs (filmography lists correspondences and appearances in 2017–2019).
Appeared on Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents
Performed on Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents (2017 episode titled 'Julio Torres').
Primetime Emmy nomination (SNL writing team)
Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series as part of SNL's writing staff (Television Academy lists 2018 nomination).
Wrote notable SNL sketches 'Papyrus' and 'Wells for Boys'
Contributed signature sketches to SNL that raised his profile; 'Papyrus' later had a sequel in 2024.
Worked with producers Lorne Michaels and Fred Armisen on HBO special
My Favorite Shapes was produced by Fred Armisen and Lorne Michaels, with Dave McCary directing the special.
Co-creator, writer, and executive producer of Los Espookys (series premiere)
Co-created Los Espookys with Ana Fabrega and Fred Armisen; first season aired in 2019; starred as Andrés and served as co-showrunner and writer.
Primetime Emmy nomination (SNL writing team)
Emmy nomination as part of Saturday Night Live writing team (Television Academy lists 2019 nomination).
Left Saturday Night Live
Ended tenure as SNL writer in 2019 after contributing to the show 2016–2019.
Described comedic style as otherworldly/surrealist (critical reception)
Critics frequently described Torres' comedy as 'otherworldly' and 'surrealist,' helping define his public artistic identity during breakout years.
Collaborations with Fred Armisen and Ana Fabrega
Fred Armisen brought Torres and Ana Fabrega to co-write Los Espookys after Torres pitched a Spanish-language comedy to HBO; Armisen had met Torres from SNL.
Los Espookys Live event (promotional/live show)
Performed/publicized 'Los Espookys Live' event with co-creators Ana Fabrega and Fred Armisen on June 29, 2019.
Los Espookys renewed for Season 2
HBO renewed Los Espookys for a second season (deadline reported July 25, 2019).
HBO special 'My Favorite Shapes' premiered
His surreal comedy special My Favorite Shapes premiered on HBO; directed by Dave McCary and produced by Fred Armisen and Lorne Michaels.
Public identity note and coming-out context
Openly gay; in June 2020 he spoke about refusing to be a spokesperson for groups, emphasizing personal storytelling rather than representation.
Relationship with actor James Scully (publicly noted)
Julio Torres is in a relationship with actor James Scully (source notes the relationship; exact start date not provided).
Public statement on identity and representation
In June 2020 Julio stated he does not claim to 'speak for' immigrants, Salvadorans, Hispanics, or gay people; personal reflection about identity.
Acted in the film 'Together Together' (role: Jules)
Played the gay barista Jules in the 2021 comedy film Together Together.
Secured financing and distribution from A24 for Problemista
By 2021, with Tilda Swinton attached, Torres secured financing and distribution from A24 for his first feature Problemista (he later directed, wrote and starred).
Published children's book 'I Want to Be a Vase'
First picture book I Want to Be a Vase (illustrated by Julian Glander) published by Atheneum; inspired by My Favorite Shapes special.
Television Academy entry/profile listing & multiple Emmy nominations recorded
Television Academy lists multiple Emmy nominations for Julio Torres (2016–2019; later listings include 2024).
Voice and film roles (Nimona and others)
Voice role in Nimona (2023) and other voice/performance roles credited in 2023 filmography entries.
Los Espookys honored with a Peabody Award (series accolade)
Los Espookys recognized with a Peabody Award (sources indicate Torres' HBO series have been honored; year for Los Espookys recognition cited in coverage around 2023).
Critical profiles and interviews increase visibility
Major profiles and interviews (e.g., Motion Pictures article, Entertainment Weekly) increased visibility around Problemista and Fantasmas in 2024.
Fantasmas honored with a Peabody Award
Fantasmas (Torres' HBO series) was honored with a Peabody Award (sources indicate both HBO series won Peabody Awards).
Papyrus 2 requested by Ryan Gosling for SNL
Ryan Gosling encouraged Torres to create 'Papyrus 2' for his SNL episode in 2024; cut for time on the live show but later released online.
Nationwide theatrical release and critical coverage of Problemista
Problemista expanded from exclusive New York/LA engagements to nationwide release; press coverage and interviews (Motion Pictures article March 25, 2024).
HBO series 'Fantasmas' (writer, director, star, EP) debut
Following Los Espookys, Torres created and starred in the HBO series Fantasmas; he served as executive producer, writer, and director (series listed as 2024).
Appeared again with SNL-related material online (Papyrus 2 release)
Although Papyrus 2 was cut from live SNL, the full sketch was released online, renewing attention to Torres' SNL-era work.
A24 sets release date for Problemista
A24 announced the release date for Problemista (Deadline reported January 18, 2024).
Released first feature film 'Problemista' in U.S.
Problemista, written, directed and starring Julio Torres, was released by A24 in the United States on March 1, 2024.
Recognition in Gotham TV Award listings
Julio Torres is listed in Gotham TV Award materials in connection with Outstanding Performance in a Comedy Series (document footer indicates 2025 listing).
Scheduled Off-Broadway debut (Color Theories) announced
Playbill reported Julio Torres (an Emmy nominee) to make an Off-Broadway debut in Color Theories (announcement reported May 14, 2025).
Key Achievement Ages
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