Aziz Ansari facts for kids

Aziz Ismail Ansari (born February 23, 1983) is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is famous for playing Tom Haverford in the TV show Parks and Recreation (2009–2015). He also created and starred in the Netflix series Master of None (2015–2021). For his work on Master of None, he won important awards like two Emmys and a Golden Globe. He was the first Asian American actor to win a Golden Globe for acting on television.

Aziz started doing comedy in New York City while he was a student at New York University. Later, he helped create and starred in the MTV sketch comedy show Human Giant. After that, he acted in several movies. From 2009 to 2015, Aziz became well-known for his role as Tom Haverford in the TV show Parks and Recreation. In 2015, he also created and starred in the first two seasons of the popular Netflix series Master of None. He also wrote and directed episodes for this show.

As a stand-up comedian, Aziz Ansari released his first comedy special in 2010. He still performs stand-up comedy on tour and on Netflix. His first book, Modern Romance: An Investigation, came out in 2015. In 2016, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people. In 2019, he released his fifth comedy special, Aziz Ansari: Right Now. This special was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. In 2021, Netflix released Master of None Presents: Moments in Love, which Aziz wrote and directed. His comedy special Aziz Ansari: Nightclub Comedian was released in 2022.

Quick facts for kids Aziz Ansari
Aziz Ansari at the 2012 Great GoogaMooga Festival in Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Birth name	Aziz Ismail Ansari
Born	(1983-02-23) February 23, 1983 (age 42) Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Medium	Stand-up television film books
Alma mater	New York University (BBA)
Years active	2004–present
Genres	Observational comedy sketch comedy surreal humor satire
Subject(s)	Indian culture everyday life current events popular culture human interaction self-deprecation
Spouse	Serena Skov Campbell ​ (m. 2022)​

Early Life and Education

Aziz Ansari was born in Columbia, South Carolina. His parents were immigrants from Tamil Nadu, India. They are Tamil Muslims, but Aziz himself is not religious. He has a younger brother named Aniz Adam Ansari. Aniz is also a writer and helped write an episode of Master of None with Aziz.

Aziz grew up in Bennettsville, South Carolina. He went to Marlboro Academy and the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics. In 2004, he graduated from the New York University Stern School of Business. He earned a degree in marketing. His mother, Fatima, is a doctor who specializes in helping women (an obstetrician and gynecologist). His father, Shoukath, is a doctor who treats stomach problems (a gastroenterologist). Both of his parents appeared in the first two seasons of Master of None.

Comedy and Acting Career

Early Comedy Work

Aziz often performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. In 2005, Rolling Stone magazine called him a "Hot Standup" comedian. In 2006, he won an award for "Best Standup" at HBO's U.S. Comedy Arts Festival.

Human Giant Sketch Show

From left to right, Human Giant's Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, Jason Woliner, and Paul Scheer in May 2007

Around 2005, Aziz started working with comedians Rob Huebel and Paul Scheer. They also worked with director Jason Woliner to make short films. Their first series was Shutterbugs, about child talent agents. Then came Illusionators, where Aziz and Paul played Criss Angel-style magicians.

In 2006, MTV decided to make a sketch comedy show called Human Giant with the group. It started in April 2007 and ran for two seasons. They were offered a third season, but decided to try other projects. Aziz was offered a role on Parks and Recreation. The group wanted to remain friends, so they decided to end the show.

Parks and Recreation Role

In 2008, Aziz Ansari was the first actor chosen for the NBC comedy Parks and Recreation. The show started in April 2009. Aziz played one of the main characters, Tom Haverford, for all seven seasons. Critics really liked his performance. Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide, and Yahoo! TV all praised his acting.

Master of None Series

Starting in November 2015, Aziz starred as Dev Shah in the Netflix series Master of None. He created and wrote the show with Alan Yang, who also wrote for Parks and Recreation. James Poniewozik from The New York Times called it "the year's best comedy." The show first ran for two seasons.

Work on a third season began in London in 2020 but was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Production started again in 2021, with Naomi Ackie joining the cast. The third season was released on May 23, 2021.

Aziz's acting in the show earned him a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy. The series received four Emmy nominations in 2016. Aziz and Alan Yang won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for the episode "Parents". They also received a Peabody Award for the series in 2016.

In 2018, Aziz won a Golden Globe for best actor in a TV comedy for Master of None. This made him the first Asian-American actor to win a Golden Globe for acting in television.

Other TV Appearances

Aziz Ansari at the 71st Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon 2012

Besides Parks and Recreation, Aziz appeared on the HBO series Flight of the Conchords. He also had a recurring role in season eight of the ABC sitcom Scrubs as Ed, a new intern. Aziz's character left Scrubs so he could work on Parks and Recreation. He also voices the character Darryl on the animated comedy Bob's Burgers.

In 2011, Aziz made a quick appearance in the music video for "Otis" by Jay-Z and Kanye West.

Aziz hosted the January 21, 2017, episode of Saturday Night Live. He was the first person of Indian origin to host the show.

Film Roles

Aziz has appeared in several movies. These include Get Him to the Greek, I Love You, Man, 30 Minutes or Less, This Is the End, and Observe and Report. In 2009, he was in the Judd Apatow film Funny People. Judd Apatow liked Aziz's character, "Randy," and asked him to create online videos about Randy to promote the movie. These videos were popular.

In 2010, it was announced that Aziz would star in the film 30 Minutes or Less. The movie was directed by Ruben Fleischer and also starred Jesse Eisenberg and Danny McBride. It was released in 2011.

Stand-up Comedy Tours

Aziz Ansari at the 2012 Time 100 gala.

Aziz Ansari travels around performing as a stand-up comedian. In 2006 and 2007, he toured with other comedians. In 2008 and 2009, his own comedy tour, "Glow in the Dark Tour," became a DVD/CD special for Comedy Central. It aired in 2010.

Aziz often talks about his own life in his comedy. He says, "I like talking about things that are going on in my life, because that's always going to be different and original."

In 2010, Aziz started a new tour called Dangerously Delicious. He performed in theaters across the United States. The tour ended with a filming for a special, Dangerously Delicious, in Washington, D.C., in 2011. This special was released on his website in 2012.

In 2012, Aziz announced a new tour called "Buried Alive." A third stand-up special, Aziz Ansari: Buried Alive, was filmed during this tour. It premiered on Netflix in 2013. His 2015 special, Aziz Ansari: Live at Madison Square Garden, also premiered on Netflix.

In 2019, Aziz began a new stand-up tour called The Road to Nowhere. This was his first public return after a break in 2018. His next comedy special Aziz Ansari: Right Now was released in 2019, followed by Aziz Ansari: Nightclub Comedian in 2022.

Writing Projects

Aziz's book, Modern Romance: An Investigation, was released in 2015. The book is about the funny challenges of dating in today's world. He wrote it with sociologist Eric Klinenberg.

Directing Work

In 2022, Aziz was set to direct his first movie, a dramedy called Being Mortal. It was planned to star Bill Murray, Keke Palmer, and Seth Rogen. The movie is based on a book about what matters at the end of life. Production was paused due to a complaint about behavior on set.

His second directing project, Good Fortune, was planned to start filming in 2023 but was delayed. In 2024, it was revealed that the movie had begun filming. Aziz is directing, writing, and starring in it, alongside Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, and Keke Palmer.

Personal Interests

Aziz was raised as a Muslim, but he has said he is "not religious".

In 2014, he said he was a feminist. He said his girlfriend helped him understand more about it. He even included an episode about feminism in Master of None called "Ladies and Gentlemen." He said he learned to ask women questions and listen to their experiences with sexism.

Aziz is a "foodie" (someone who loves food). He and his friends Eric Wareheim and Jason Woliner formed "The Food Club." They dress up in suits and captain hats and give "Food Club" plaques to restaurants they like.

Aziz enjoys indie rock music. His book, Modern Romance, is named after a Yeah Yeah Yeahs song. He is also a fan of hip-hop music. He has mentioned Kanye West in his comedy routines. He also enjoys dance music.

Aziz was a close friend of comedian Harris Wittels. They often worked together. Wittels was supposed to be in Master of None before he passed away.

In 2018, Aziz bought an apartment in Tribeca, Downtown Manhattan. It used to belong to a hockey player, Ryan McDonagh.

In 2021, it was reported that Aziz was engaged to Serena Skov Campbell, a Danish forensic data scientist. They got married in Tuscany, Italy, in June 2022.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music Videos

Discography

• Intimate Moments for a ... Evening (Comedy Central Records, 2010)
• Dangerously Delicious (Comedy Central Records, 2012)
• Buried Alive (Comedy Central Records, 2015)

Stand-up Specials

• Intimate Moments for a ... Evening (released on Comedy Central and DVD, 2010)
• Aziz Ansari: Dangerously Delicious (released on Aziz's Website, 2012)
• Aziz Ansari: Buried Alive (released on Netflix, 2013)
• Aziz Ansari: Live at Madison Square Garden (released on Netflix, 2015)
• Aziz Ansari: Right Now (released on Netflix, 2019)
• Aziz Ansari: Nightclub Comedian (released on Netflix, 2022)

Images for kids

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  Aziz Ansari at the 2012 Great GoogaMooga Festival in Prospect Park, Brooklyn

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  From left to right, Human Giant's Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, Jason Woliner, and Paul Scheer in May 2007

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  Aziz Ansari at the 71st Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon 2012

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  Aziz Ansari at the 2012 Time 100 gala.

See Also

In Spanish: Aziz Ansari para niños