Rubén Mendive
Rubén Mendive is a queer Mexican immigrant and comedy writer who grew up undocumented on Chicago’s South Side in a poor, divorced, and dysfunctional household. He’s the middle child of a public defender brother, a restaurateur sister, and a father who’s been married four times—Rubén now has a Ukrainian stepmom and is knee-deep in yet another international crisis.
Now, like any U.S. citizen, he’s monetizing his trauma through comedy—while still holding a grudge against the country’s broken immigration system, which his therapist insists is “unproductive.” He’s an alum of the NHMC Series Scriptwriters Program and Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab. Rubén also hosts La Lista: A Latinx Writers Podcast, an interview series spotlighting diverse voices in media.
He lives in Pasadena with his architect husband and their giant Saint Bernard, juggling home-renovation and gardening projects.
LITTLE VILLAGE
Half-hour TV comedy
A mockumentary follows the misadventures of a young, openly queer Latino on the Chicago City Council as he tackles personal & old school politics.
TWINK DEATH
Half-hour TV dramedy
On the eve of his 30th birthday, Caesar's older boyfriend dumps him for outgrowing his twink persona. Now newly single, Caesar navigates the gay Chicago dating scene while struggling to embrace his new ‘Daddy' identity, sparked by his freshly grown beard.