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Renée Santos

Renée Santos
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Renée Santos is a multi-hyphenate — stand-up comedian, solo performer, actor, writer, and freelance journalist for The Hollywood Times. Known for blending raw truth with bold humor, Renée made her national TV debut on Showtime’s Pride Comedy Jam and later showcased for NBC’s Last Comic Standing. She has performed worldwide, from iconic comedy stages including The Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory, and New York Comedy Club, to international cruise lines. Her debut comedy special and album Outside the Box—released through UPROAR Entertainment—continues to stream on Amazon Prime, Roku, and Tubi. She recently taped for HBO Max’s HA Comedy Fest, and is currently in pre-production for a new stand-up variety special slated for 2026. As an actor, Renée’s credits include NBC’s New Amsterdam, Showtime’s Californication, TNT’s Murder in the First, and CBS’s Eleventh Hour, alongside celebrated independent films and national commercials. A storyteller at heart, Renée’s critically acclaimed autobiographical solo show CROSSROADS—rooted in her lived experience in the foster care system—is touring nationally and aligning with social-impact organizations to elevate stories of resilience, community, and healing. She has also collaborated with comedy legend Craig Shoemaker, contributing to creative strategy and promotional content for his nonprofit 501(c)(3) foundation, Laughter Heals. Through journalism, long-form storytelling, and performance, Renée continues to champion diverse voices and amplify stories that matter—onstage, on-screen, and in print.

Hot Flash, Heartbreak, and Healing: Alice Cutler’s Unforgettable Hour Of Comedy

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By Renée Santos There is a cohesive through line woven throughout Alice Cutler’s one-hour stand-up show that elevates the evening from a sequence of jokes...

On Inheritance: A Mother’s Words, One Year Later

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By Renée Santos Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 2/10/26 - February 10 marks one year since my mother’s passing. Anniversaries like this arrive quietly, but...

The Window on Death Row — A Spiritual Reframing of Justice,...

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By Renée Santos — The Hollywood Times There are films about the death penalty—and then there are cinematic interventions. The Window on Death Row, the...

Where Memory Slips, Love Stays: A Review of “Holding the Pieces”

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By Renée Santos Inside the warm hush of the Harmony Gold Theatre in Hollywood, a community gathered not simply to watch a film, but to...

LA Femme Film Festival 2025 — Winners Review

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By: Renée Santos The 2025 LA Femme International Film Festival closed with a night full of bold voices, smart storytelling, and work that reminded us...

Finding Light Where There Are No Windows: A Journey from Death...

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By Renée Santos From U.S. death row to freedom — The Window on Death Row is more than a documentary. It’s a meditation on grace, redemption, and...

LA Femme International Film Festival Celebrates 21 Years of Empowering Women...

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By Renée Santos Los Angeles, California (The Hollywood Times) 10/13/2025 Los Angeles, CA — For 21 years, the LA Femme International Film Festival has been a beacon for...

Donna Pescow: A Lifetime of Grace, Grit, and Groundbreaking Roles

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By Renée Santos Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 10/12/25 - I had the pleasure of sitting down with the legendary Donna Pescow, who will...

“Mind of Thoughts” –  A Visceral Journey Into the Quiet Battles...

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By Renée Santos The Hollywood Times In Mind of Thoughts, Belgian filmmaker Charlotte Verminck crafts an arresting meditation on the mind’s power to both create and...

“Mama’s Voice” — A Testament to Maternal Strength, Resilience, and the...

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By Renée Santos Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 10/9/25 - I had the pleasure of interviewing Larysa and Dmytro, the sister and brother-in-law of...