Julio Torres is an Emmy-nominated, Peabody-winning and WGA-winning writer, director, and comedian from El Salvador.
Most recently, Torres wrote, directed, and starred in Color Theories, his new one-man show that premiered at the Keith Haring Theatre at Performance Space New York. The production – which was extended before it even opened – blends stand-up, surreal design, and dream logic into a whimsical exploration of color, emotion, and identity that is equal parts comedy, theater, and art piece. Filmed during its sold-out run, Color Theories was released as an HBO comedy special in March 2026, further reinforcing Torres’ reputation as “an absolute master of absurdist comedy.”
Previously, Torres directed, wrote, executive produced and starred in HBO’s six-episode series Fantasmas, which premiered in June 2024. Executive produced by Dave McCary and Emma Stone via their Fruit Tree banner alongside Irony Point and 3 Arts Entertainment, the show was awarded a 2025 Peabody Award in Entertainment. Fantasmas also received two 2025 Film Independent Spirit Award nominations for Best New Scripted Series and Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series, a 2025 Gotham Television Award nomination for Breakthrough Comedy Series and a win for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy Series.
Torres made his directorial feature film debut with A24’s Problemista, which premiered at SXSW in March 2023 to high praise. Torres also wrote the film and starred alongside Tilda Swinton, Isabella Rosselini, and RZA. The film, produced by Emma Stone and Dave McCary via their Fruit Tree banner, was released in March 2024 and received two nominations at the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards: Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay.
Torres can be seen in both seasons of his HBO series Los Espookys, which he co-created with Fred Armisen and Ana Fabrega. A Spanish-language (with English subtitles) comedy, both seasons were received with critical acclaim and season two was awarded a 2023 Peabody Award in Entertainment, GLAAD Award and Dorian Award, in addition to being named one of the New York Times’ Best TV Shows of 2022.
In 2023, Torres released his first picture book, I Want to Be a Vase, from Simon & Schuster. Illustrated by animator and designer Julian Glander and inspired by Torres' first standup special, My Favorite Shapes, which was released on HBO in 2019; the book takes readers on an essential and visually stunning journey through the lives and intimate dramas of often-overlooked household appliances.
Torres received four Emmy nominations for his work on Saturday Night Live, on which he served as a writer from 2016 to 2021. In 2023, he was recognized as an honoree in TIME Magazine’s TIME100 Next list, under the “artists” category. The annual list, inspired by the publication’s flagship, TIME100, recognizes 100 rising individuals from across industries who are shaping the future of their fields and defining the next generation of leadership.
Torres currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "ICE SS" by the Central Jersey punk act Sally Draper.
