Jake Estrada was born in Philadelphia, PA as Jacob James Estrada to Nilda Estrada and Santiago "Chago" Estrada. Jake's father was born in Puerto Rico, and came to the United States in 1952 and worked as a professional roofer until his death. Jake's mother saw that her son loved to perform, and produce art so she enrolled him at a young age in the Lighthouse. The Lighthouse was a local Philadelphia center for young kids to create art and theater productions.