Mack Leighty, who’s widely recognized by his pen name John Cheese, has really made a name for himself in the world of online humor. As a writer and senior editor at Cracked.com, Mack Leighty has built an impressive career that’s earned him a loyal following. Over the years, John Cheese’s comedic articles have not only gone viral but have also been showcased on popular platforms—appearing on TV shows such as The View and even being mentioned in major publications like Forbes.

Before all the fame and recognition, though, Mack Leighty was just a high school student with a passion for storytelling. Back then, he focused on writing short horror stories, which laid the foundation for his creative voice. It wasn’t until later that he shifted gears into comedy. That turning point came in 1997 when he teamed up with his best friend David Wong to launch the humor website Pointless Waste of Time—a move that would ultimately define his career path.

John Cheese attended high school in Illinois, where his early writing journey began, and eventually settled in Newton, continuing to develop his unique brand of satire. Through it all, Mack Leighty has remained a key figure in digital comedy, proving that humor, creativity, and persistence can truly take you far.