Aziz Ansari
Aziz Ismail Ansari[1] (/ənˈsɑːri/; born February 23, 1983) is an American actor, filmmaker and stand-up comedian. He is known for his role as Tom Haverford on the NBC series Parks and Recreation (2009–2015) and as creator and star of the Netflix series Master of None (2015–2021) for which he won several acting and writing awards, including two Emmys and a Golden Globe, which was the first award received by an Asian American actor for acting on television.[2][3][4]
Aziz Ansari
Aziz Ismail Ansari
February 23, 1983
Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
- Stand-up
- television
- film
- books
2004–present
Ansari began performing comedy in New York City, while a student at NYU Stern in 2000. He later co-created and starred in the MTV sketch comedy show Human Giant, after which he had acting roles in a number of feature films. From 2009 to 2015, Ansari gained prominence for his role as Tom Haverford in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. In 2015, Ansari co-created, and starred in the first two seasons of Netflix's critically acclaimed series Master of None, for which he also served as a writer and director.
As a stand-up comedian, Ansari released his first comedy special, Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening, in January 2010 on Comedy Central Records. He continues to perform stand-up on tour and on Netflix. His first book, Modern Romance: An Investigation, was released in June 2015. He was included in the Time 100 list of most influential people in 2016.[5] In July 2019, Ansari released his fifth comedy special Aziz Ansari: Right Now, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album.[6] In 2021, Netflix released Master of None Presents: Moments in Love, which Ansari wrote and directed. The following year he released his comedy special Aziz Ansari: Nightclub Comedian on Netflix.
Early life[edit]
Aziz Ansari was born in Columbia, South Carolina to Indian immigrants from the state of Tamil Nadu. His parents are Tamil Muslims,[7][8] though Ansari himself is non-religious.[9][10] He has a younger brother, Aniz Adam Ansari, who is seven years his junior.[11] Aniz is also a writer, and co-wrote an episode of Master of None with his brother.[12][13][14] Ansari grew up in Bennettsville, South Carolina[15] where he attended Marlboro Academy as well as the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics.[16] He graduated from the New York University Stern School of Business in 2004, with a Bachelor of Business degree in marketing.[17][18] His mother, Fatima, is an obstetrician and gynecologist and his father, Shoukath, is a gastroenterologist.[18][19][20] Both of his parents appeared in the first two seasons of Master of None.
Career[edit]
Early career[edit]
Ansari frequently performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, as well as weekly shows such as Invite Them Up. In 2005, Rolling Stone included him in their annual "Hot List" as their choice for the "Hot Standup",[21] and he won the Jury Award for "Best Standup" at HBO's 2006 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado.[22]