Anonymous Balatro dev sends real-life Jimbo to accept BAFTA award

LocalThunk, the anonymous developer of the Indie hit Balatro, sent a real-life Jimbo to accept the BAFTA award for Best Debut Game.

Balatro was released in February 2024 and almost immediately began taking over millions of players’ free time with its addictive gameplay.

The roguelike poker game gives players different jokers that modify the game, giving extra points multipliers and coins for each hand played. When you win or lose a run, however, you’re met with commentary from Balatro’s joker mascot – Jimbo.

Due to the fact its developer, LocalThunk, has remained faceless despite Balatro’s popularity, Jimbo has become the face of the game on social media, as well as its DLC packs featuring other game characters and designs, which are aptly called “Friends of Jimbo.”

On April 8, 2025, Balatro’s team brought Jimbo into the real world by sending him to receive an award at the BAFTAs.

Real-life Jimbo was actor Ben Starr

During the awards show, Ben Starr – known for being the voice of Clive Rosfield in Final Fantasy XVI – arrived in his joker outfit, complete with face makeup and matching hat.

LocalThunk has spent a lot of his time in the limelight promoting other indie games since Balatro’s launch in 2024. Just after winning best indie game at The Game Awards, the dev took to X to award several other games with his own “Golden Thunk” title.