Story and photos by
Katherine Kocian
Additional photography courtesy
Jack the Great
When Jack, a 12-year-old, walks into a stadium or a store, most people do not see him as anything other than another kid. But give him a few minutes, and you will realize he is on a mission. Jack, who goes by the online alias “Jack the Great” or @light4079 on social media, has a fascination with turning off lights, a fascination that has turned him into a viral sensation.
While most of us flip switches without a second thought, Jack has turned it into an art form.
In his videos, the buildup of anticipation is everything.
Imagine watching him wander through a big department store, following employees around with the seriousness of a secret agent on a covert mission. Once he finally gets the confirmation that the lights will indeed be turned off, it is like a touchdown at the Super Bowl.
Jack’s sense of wonder and joy at these moments are contagious, almost making you want to turn off your living room lights just to join in the fun, and is also illuminating new ways of looking at people who have autism.
“When I was younger, I used to be scared of lights turning off, and now whenever I watch the lights turn off it means I am brave,” he explains.
Although he might be turning off the lights in real life, Jack’s star is only getting brighter. His social media content radiates joy and a kind of silly sincerity that cannot be faked.
By turning his passion into a series of shared experiences, Jack is proving that the simplest things can make the biggest impact if you care enough to find the humor and wonder in them.
Jack’s journey began with what some might call a peculiar hobby. To Jack, seeing lights turn off is not just about flipping a switch: it’s akin to watching a fireworks display or the final bow at a Broadway show.
It’s the exclamation mark at the end of a sentence, a fleeting moment of magic that most of us overlook.
He started small, with franchise restaurants such as Chipotle, and Wendy’s, then began asking local places like Urban Air, Marco’s Pizza, Texas Roadhouse, and Western Playland, if they would let him do the honors. Jack approached each spot with excitement, treating these moments like secret little ceremonies.
As he gained confidence (and a bit of a reputation), his mission took him beyond the familiar streets of El Paso.
Jack’s journey led him to iconic locations.
He watched in awe as the lights dimmed at the Empire State Building, a milestone that seemed almost like a dream. From there, he traveled to the storied Alamo, where he stood in the shadows of history, watching the lights go out in one of Texas’ most legendary landmarks.
Then, there was the Iron Horse Hotel, a place known for its rugged charm, where Jack orchestrated yet another lights-off moment, cementing his growing legend. What began as a simple hobby back in El Paso turned into an adventure that took him to historic and iconic places, one darkened room at a time.
Jack’s passion did not stop at local stores and small venues. As he gained followers, he expanded his mission to larger and more iconic places, including some of the most famous stadiums in America like the NRG Stadium with the Houston Texans, T-Mobile Park with the Seattle Mariners, and The Lumen Field which was his first big stadium lights-out event. Jack’s fascination took him all the way to the Hard Rock Stadium, where he witnessed the Miami Dolphins’ stadium lights turn off with the long-snapper Blake Ferguson.
In addition to these American landmarks, Jack’s light-chasing adventures recently took him to Notre Dame Stadium, the historic home of the Fighting Irish.
For Jack, these moments at stadiums are not just checkboxes on a list: they are thrilling experiences that highlight his determination and enthusiasm.
One of the most heartwarming aspects of Jack’s story is how unapologetically himself he is.
The internet can be a tough place, especially for kids, but Jack has managed to create a positive and supportive fan base by simply being honest about who he is. He does not pretend to be like everyone else, he’s Jack the Great, the kid who loves lights turning off, and that’s enough. This authenticity has made him a bit of a hero, especially for those who are also neurodivergent. Jack shows them that it is okay to have niche interests, to be different, and to celebrate what makes you, you.
Jack’s sense of humor and transparency have helped him gather a dedicated following.
This community spirit led to Jack creating merch – because let’s face it – who wouldn’t want a T-shirt commemorating the time they watched a 12-year-old turn off the lights at a Wendy’s?
The most endearing quality about Jack is his openness about being autistic.
During our interview, Jack tells me “You know my least favorite thing that I have heard? People trying to cure autism.”
Rather than seeing it as a limitation, he’s embraced it as a unique part of himself.
He’s become a beacon of inspiration for other kids who might feel like their quirks are too different to be appreciated. Jack shows that embracing who you are can be a source of strength and joy.
Jack’s charm and growing fame soon caught the eye of national television, leading to his big break on The Jennifer Hudson Show.
On October 23rd, 2024, Jack stepped onto the set and made show history as the first guest to orchestrate a full “lights-off” moment. With Jennifer Hudson and a studio audience watching in anticipation, Jack took the lead like a seasoned director.
He confidently guided the crew through the process, and as the lights dimmed, his face lit up with a beaming grin.
What might seem like an ordinary moment to most became a heartwarming spectacle that left the audience clapping and smiling.
Jack’s appearance not only introduced him to a broader audience but also validated his journey, proving that his unique passion and genuine joy resonate with people of all ages. It was a moment that showed the world that even something as simple as turning off the lights can bring a room full of people together to celebrate someone’s dreams.
To help fund this dream, he partnered with an app called WeWard and started a campaign, where his followers could contribute steps that would convert to help Jack go to Paris, France.
Jack needed a total of 250 million steps over the span of a month to make it to Paris, and Jack completed 92%, 229,687,331 steps – that is a lot of steps!
Being so close to his goal, WeWard decided to send Jack to Paris this November!
That’s right, Jack is currently on his way to Paris, set to witness one of the most iconic light displays in the world: The Eiffel Towers lights turn off.
In the end, Jack the Great’s story is more than just a series of videos about lights going off.
It is a journey of embracing what makes you different and finding joy in unexpected places. It teaches us to seek joy in the unexpected and celebrate our unique quirks. Jack reminds us all that it is the little things in life that can illuminate our path and connect us in the most delightful ways.
So, if you ever find yourself wandering through a stadium, an iconic landmark or a store at closing time, keep an eye out for Jack. He might just be there, smiling and waiting for that brief, magical moment when the lights go out.
And, if you are lucky enough to be there, remember to clap – because Jack the Great has found his light in the dark, and he’s more than happy to share it with the world.
