From Med School Dropout to Sunset Boulevard: Jason Salvatore Cohen on the Reality of Hollywood

ActorsHollywoodRelationships
Written By Axel Axe

Jason and Axel on the set of the talk show in Hollywood, California

Most people look at social media or reality TV and see an easy, glamorous lifestyle: fast cars, hot dates, and endless free travel. But behind every "overnight success" in Los Angeles is usually a string of brutal sacrifices, maxed-out credit cards, and moments of absolute rock bottom.

On a recent episode of The Axel Axe Show, reality TV star, creator, and entrepreneur Jason Salvatore Cohen (Vanderpump Rules, Netflix’s Dated & Related) sat down with Axel Arzola to pull back the curtain on his wild rise.

From walking away from a career in medicine to sleeping in his car on Venice Beach, Jason shared the unvarnished truth about what it really takes to build a career in Hollywood today.


“I was at a crossroads in my life. I was really scared to take this leap because I knew it was complicated and challenging. But I just knew in my heart that I didn’t belong in New Jersey.”
— Jason Salvatore Cohen | Actor & TV Personality

From Sleeping in Cars on Venice Beach to Sunset Boulevard

Moving to Los Angeles without a safety net meant facing immediate financial reality. Before landing his first major television breaks, Jason and Chris were working three to four restaurant jobs, pulling 12-hour shifts, and living directly out of their cars on Venice Beach.

Rather than letting poverty break his spirit, Jason used the hardship to build an unshakeable mental frame:

  • Embracing the Trenches: Drawing on his background as a college wrestler, he treated sleeping in a car and eating canned tuna as a rite of passage.

  • Focusing on What Matters: Staying grounded in the belief that true wealth is simply having your health and your family—everything else can be built from scratch.

  • Manifesting the Billboard: Standing on Venice Beach, broke, and promising his cousin that one day they would be featured on a Sunset Boulevard billboard (a promise that came true years later with Vanderpump Rules).

Jason Cohen during the interview with Axel Axe

Taking Control: Reality TV, OnlyFans, and Financial Liquidity

Landing a spot on Netflix’s Dated & Related—which happened after Jason self-edited a travel reel using Premiere Pro and submitted it on a whim—gave him his first real taste of the industry. But Jason quickly realized that relying solely on television producers or acting auditions puts all your power in someone else's hands.

To secure financial independence so he could fund his own acting classes and film projects without stressing over rent, Jason stepped into the creator economy, leveraging platforms like OnlyFans and Instagram.

"For me, it gave me skin in the game. If I worked hard enough to build a business for myself, I could fund my own film. I'm not sweating to pay the bills, so when I go to an acting class or an audition, I feel like I've got life by the balls. That is the best feeling ever."

Axel Axe is a Cuban-born American film director, producer, media entrepreneur, and podcast host. He is the founder and CEO of Red Axe Media and hosts The Axel Axe Show

The Dating & Attraction Playbook

Having navigated high-profile reality TV dating environments and traveled the world, Jason shared his core philosophy on attraction, style, and approaching women:


  1. Confidence Over Physicality: True attraction comes from deep within. A guy who can make a room laugh and hold a comfortable, humble presence will out-pull a guy who relies solely on his looks.

  2. Making Women Feel Safe: When approaching a group of women in a social setting, don't hyper-focus on just one target. Talk to everyone, share the charm, and make the whole group feel comfortable and secure.

  3. Fit Your Own Style: Choose haircuts and clothes that fit your actual head shape and build rather than chasing trends. Dress in what makes you feel good so the clothes don't "wear you."

The End Game: Building Long-Term Generational Wealth

Today, Jason isn't content with just appearing on camera. Following the playbook of successful athletes and actors, he and his cousin Chris are actively learning passive business investments, real estate, and financial management.

His ultimate dream isn't just fame—it's complete financial flexibility, taking care of his family, and leaving behind a piece of art, music, or film that inspires the next generation to take a leap of faith.

Watch the full episode with Jason Salvatore Cohen on The Axel Axe Show on YouTube to hear his full story on Vanderpump Rules backstage dynamics, his top fitness routines, and how he and Chris built their partnership.

Axel Axe
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