Maz Jobrani

Maz (Maziyar) Jobrani was born in Tehran, Iran, and came to the United States during the Iranian Revolution. He is a comedian, actor, and author of I’m Not a Terrorist, But I’ve Played One On TV, where he challenges “extremist ideology and Muslim stereotypes, one punchline at a time,” The Atlantic writes.

Jobrani spent years trying to fit in with his adopted culture. He attended UC Berkeley and went on to pursue a PhD in political science but dropped out to become an actor. Despite growing up in the United States, casting directors only considered him for what he called the role of “kebab-eating, bomb-toting, extremist psychopath.” After playing a terrorist in a Chuck Norris movie and again on the TV show 24, he refused stereotypical roles, he told Mother Jones. He has since appeared in popular shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Shameless.

Jobrani is best known for his work in comedy, where his political insight, immigrant story, and acting skills coincide. From 2005 to 2011, he teamed up with Egyptian-born Ahmed Ahmed and Palestinian American Aron Kader to perform on the “Axis of Evil Comedy Tour,” with sold-out shows in the United States, Dubai, Lebanon, Egypt, Kuwait, and Jordan. In a TED Talk, Jobrani says comedy helps create understanding between cultures. “I always encourage my friends to travel and see the Middle East — and vice versa,” he says. “It helps stop problems of misunderstanding and stereotyping.”