Ziwe Fumudoh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ziwe |
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| Birth name | Ziwerekoru Fumudoh |
| Born | February 27, 1992 |
| Education | Northwestern University (BA) |
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Ziwerekoru "Ziwe" Fumudoh is an American comedian and writer. She is well-known for her funny and smart comments on politics, how different groups get along, and growing up.
In 2017, Ziwe started a comedy show on YouTube called Baited with Ziwe. Later, in 2020, she moved the show to Instagram Live. She also wrote for the TV show Desus & Mero from 2018 to 2020. In 2018, she co-hosted the Hysteria podcast.
Ziwe also starred in and helped produce her own TV show, Ziwe, on Showtime from 2021 to 2022. In October 2023, she released a book of essays called Black Friend.
Contents
Early Life and School
Ziwe Fumudoh grew up in Lawrence, Massachusetts. She is the second of three children. Her parents moved to the United States from Nigeria.
In 2010, Ziwe finished high school at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. She then went to Northwestern University. In 2014, she graduated with two main subjects: radio, television, and film, and African American studies. She also studied creative writing, focusing on poetry.
Career Highlights
Starting Out in Comedy (2013–2017)
Ziwe first thought about being a poet. But then she realized it wasn't for her. During college, she got an internship at Comedy Central. There, she worked on famous shows like The Daily Show.
In her last year of college, she interned as a writer for The Onion. She also took improv classes to learn how to do comedy without a script. After college, she worked for a production company. Her first job writing for TV was on The Rundown with Robin Thede.
Baited with Ziwe and TV Work (2017–2020)
In 2017, Ziwe created Baited with Ziwe on YouTube. In this show, she would playfully trick her white friends into saying things that showed their hidden ideas about race. When the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, she moved the show to Instagram Live. She invited new famous guests each week.
Ziwe said her show wanted to talk about race in a fun way. She also wanted to make people think about how society works.
In 2018, Ziwe performed original pop songs in her live show called Pop Show. She also co-hosted the Hysteria podcast that year.
From 2018 to 2020, Ziwe was a writer for the TV show Desus and Mero. A reviewer from Forbes magazine said she had the "confidence of an old comedy pro." During this time, Ziwe also joined the cast of Our Cartoon President. She voiced the character of Kamala Harris.
Her Own Show, Ziwe (2020–2021)
In October 2020, it was announced that Ziwe would have her own variety show on Showtime. The show was simply called Ziwe. The first season included funny sketches, musical performances, and interviews with guests. Ziwe was the host, a writer, and a producer for the show.
In April 2023, Showtime decided to end the series after two seasons.
In 2021, Ziwe also wrote for the TV show Dickinson. She appeared in two episodes as Sojourner Truth, a famous historical figure. That same year, she played Sophie Iwobi in an episode of Succession. Sophie was a funny commentator on a late-night show, much like Ziwe's own show.
Recent Projects (2022–Present)
In September 2023, Ziwe was part of a campaign for Victoria's Secret called "My Wings, My Way."
In August 2020, it was announced that Ziwe would publish a book of funny essays. The book was released on October 24, 2023, and was titled Black Friend. Ziwe traveled to eight cities across the U.S. to promote her book.
On December 18, 2023, Ziwe interviewed George Santos on her YouTube channel. He was a former U.S. House representative who had been in the news a lot. Many news and entertainment sites talked about her interview.
Who Inspired Ziwe?
Ziwe has mentioned that Jonathan Swift and Stephen Colbert influenced her. She learned about them from a teacher in high school. She said that Stephen Colbert's performance at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner was a big inspiration. She was amazed that he spoke so boldly to powerful people.
She also gets ideas from Oprah, the work of Zach Galifianakis, and Nathan Fielder. Shows like Arrested Development, The Office, and 30 Rock have also inspired her.
Personal Life
Ziwe Fumudoh lives in New York City.
Film and TV Appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–2018 | The Rundown with Robin Thede | None | Writer (7 episodes) |
| 2018–2020 | Desus & Mero | None | Writer (66 episodes) |
| 2019–2020 | Our Cartoon President | Kamala Harris, various characters (voice) | 11 episodes; also writer |
| 2020–2021 | Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out The News | Various voices | 12 episodes |
| 2021–2022 | Ziwe | Herself (host) | Also producer, creator, and writer |
| 2021 | Succession | Sophie Iwobi | Episode: "The Disruption" |
| Dickinson | Sojourner Truth | 2 episodes, also writer | |
| 2021–2023 | The Great North | Amelia (voice) | 9 episodes |
| 2022 | That ... Michael Che | Herself | Episode: "Black Mediocrity" |
| Central Park | (voice) | Episode: "The Puffs Go Poof" | |
| 2023 | Teenage ... | Various voices | 2 episodes |
| 2024 | Shell | Audrey |
Music Releases
- 2020: Generation Ziwe (EP)
See also
In Spanish: Ziwe Fumudoh para niños
