Maz Jobrani
Maz Jobrani, comedian, actor, and host of his own podcast, Back To School with Maz Jobrani, had the privilege of performing at the White House in 2016 when he introduced the First Lady, Michelle Obama. His standup comedy specials include, Immigrant, which was filmed at the Kennedy Center, and is a NETFLIX original, as well as three additional solo specials on SHOWTIME, Brown and Friendly, I come in Peace, and I’m not a Terrorist, but I’ve played one on TV. His latest standup comedy special Pandemic Warrior is available now on Peacock TV. Jobrani sits on the board of the Persian American Cancer Institute (PACI.org) and works with the International Society for Children with Cancer.
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You were born in Iran, and your family moved to North America when you were six years old. How did this cultural shift impact your life?
As a kid, I wasn’t fully aware of the gravity of the situation. I think kids are resilient, and they adapt quickly. However, as the years went on and we settled in America, I could see the effects the move had on my family. I think my parents initially thought that we would all go back to Iran one day, but that never happened. I think it’s a pretty common story, but the way I like to describe it is simple, we packed for two weeks and stayed for forty years!
What do you recall as your first impression of being in a new land and culture?
Again, as a kid, I made friends pretty fast. However, I remember the difference between kid stuff in Iran versus America. For example, in Iran, I would only have about a half-hour or an hour of cartoons on TV every afternoon. In America, I could watch hours and hours of cartoons every day. Similarly, in Iran, we had some treats that I loved as a kid, but once I came to America, it was a sugar rush heaven. Twinkies, KitKats, Starbursts, you name it, I ate it. And don’t even get me started on McDonald’s!!!
When did you know you wanted to be a comedian? And why?
When I was around ten years old, I discovered Eddie Murphy. Through watching Eddie, I learned about other comedians and began watching them. I loved them all. Then, when I was 12 years old, I auditioned for the school play, and once I stood on a stage, I was in love with being in front of a crowd. So I told my Iranian parents that I wanted to be an actor and a comedian, and they told me I was crazy. It took many years of negotiating with my parents for me to get into show business and for them to accept my choice.
Besides the obvious of making people laugh, when you are up on stage, what are some of your other goals?
The main goal is to make people laugh and have a good time. People come to comedy clubs to forget and get a break from all of life’s difficulties. That said, as a comedian from a Middle Eastern background, I also want people to see us differently than they’re used to seeing us in the news. For the past 40 years, the only side most of the world has seen of us on TV or in movies is usually the negative side of our people. So if someone can see me and get a positive image of our people, then that’s icing on the cake.
What makes you wake up every day and get into action?
Nowadays, our first dog (a mini-Goldendoodle, Yasu) usually wakes me up with her barking. That said, she’s also a great partner for napping, as she likes to nap throughout the day. In terms of my drive, I was taught by my dad, who was a successful businessman, to always keep moving. I’m always trying to come up with new projects to work on, and no matter what happens in the week, I try to get on stage about 5-10 times a week and do standup.
You have also acted in movies. Please tell us about your experience working on set? How has being a successful comedian helped prepare you for performing in front of a camera?
When I first started, I had more experience as an actor. Since that first school play at the age of 12, I kept getting on stage throughout my life. Once I decided to pursue acting and comedy professionally, my acting gigs would help subsidize my comedy. Now that I have found some success in comedy, the roles have reversed. I think that they both complement each other well.
The good news is that when I’m not acting, I still get a chance to get in front of an audience and perform almost on a nightly basis. That helps calm the nerves when a role comes along, and you have to perform in front of a bunch of people on set.
If you were to choose another art form to pursue, what would it be? And why?
One of my dreams is to be a rock star. As a matter of fact, there’s a comedy show that a friend of mine, Josh Adam Meyers, runs called the Goddamn Comedy Jam where comedians get to tell a few jokes and then sing a song with a band and rock out. It’s one of my favorite things to do. If I could play an instrument and rock out every night, I would!
Who are some of your comedy heroes?
Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, and George Carlin. The usual suspects. Eddie was an amazing performer, and Pryor and Carlin were great social commentators. Whenever a comedian can make me laugh and think, they’ve got me!
Are there any charities or foundations you are passionate about, and if so, please tell us about them?
I lost my sister to breast cancer, so I have set up a scholarship in her name at UC Berkeley – The Mariam Jobrani Scholarship, where we help pay for female students to travel abroad. I am also on the board of the Persian American Cancer Institute (PACI.)
Where do you like to go to relax and clear your mind?
It’s usually my bed, watching my favorite shows. I also love King’s Road Café, where they have the best coffee in LA and perhaps in the world!
What has been a career-high moment you will treasure for the rest of your life?
Having the honor of introducing Michelle Obama at a Nowruz event at the White House would be right up there. Also, getting a chance to deliver the Commencement Speech at my alma mater UC Berkeley in front of 45 thousand people in 2017.
How do you stay grounded and focused?
Well, there’s no reason not to be grounded. It’s not like I’m saving lives. I’m just telling jokes. And I am lucky enough to do what I love in life. That keeps me grounded!
What has been the most rewarding gift about being a father?
There are so many things. I always tell my single friends they should be dads because it’s one of the most rewarding things in life. I honestly love every minute of it. Sometimes, the kids will surprise you with something funny, creative, or emotional, and you just melt. It’s the best!
Where do you find inspiration that becomes comedy gold?
Ha! That’s an unknown to me. I try to be open about my life and the things I observe.
I talk about those things on stage, and sometimes the audience finds it as funny as I do. That’s what becomes my best bits.
Please tell us about a place you are itching to travel to and why?
I love to travel in general. However, I’m super excited to be going back to Italy with my family this summer. I spent a year abroad there when I was in college, and I haven’t had a chance to go back in a while. I hope to get back into speaking the language and soaking it all in. I encourage everyone to travel as much as they can. I think it makes us more citizens of the world.
Tell us something most people don’t know about Maz Jobrani?
I would say that most people don’t know I’m a pretty chill and often serious person. People are used to seeing me being silly on stage. But, in real life, I’m much more low-key.
What spurred you to write your memoir, I’m Not a Terrorist, But I’ve Played One On TV?
My manager, Ray Moheet, encouraged me to write it because many comedians were writing memoirs back then. So I’m happy I did it. It was an exercise in self-reflection and led to some great career moments as well.
What’s next for you professionally?
I continue to tour. I will be going to Europe in the fall and doing many more US dates. All my dates are at mazjobrani.com. I also continue pitching TV shows and hope to star and write on my own show in the near future.
Special Thanks to:
Photography:
Artin Mardirosian (Nexision)
Poster of A simple Wedding:
Team of A Simple Wedding
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