Every time I see this guy I can’t help but think of Moley in Friday After Next. His character was kind of a jerk but he was funny in a kind of pathetic way. The best part is that this was obviously what Jobrani was going for, so it worked perfectly. To be even more honest after looking him up this is the kind of thing he goes for anyway in his act, to make other people laugh by destroying the stereotypes that others have about those from the Middle East. His acts are made to enlighten people and to break down the barrier of misunderstanding between peoples of all races, so he’s funny to make a point and to make sure that people laugh while he’s doing it.
That’s an innovator right there, and a revolutionary comic. It’s definitely Maz’s time.
5. His nickname is the Persian Pink Panther.
This name actually comes from a film titled Jimmy Vestvood, Amerikan Hero. In this film Maz portrays a Middle Eastern hero in order to break down the stereotypes about those of the Middle East and to show that it is time for pop culture to accept that people from the Middle East are ready to take on more prominent roles. You think he might be onto something?
4. He’s Iranian by birth but is an American citizen.
He was born in Iran but his family came to the US and he was naturalized fairly early on. Despite the fact that yes, he looks like a person of Iranian heritage, he is still an American and happens to love this country. He definitely preys upon the roles he’s handed though when he’s scripted as a terrorist or otherwise unfriendly Middle Eastern individual. That’s a big part of his charm.
3. Eddie Murphy was one of his biggest inspirations.
It’s great to see that the old school comics are being embraced by the new talent coming out. Maz isn’t exactly a newbie or a fresh face, he’s been around for a while but it’s still awesome to hear that he idolizes one of the greatest in the business. That he’s on his own way to becoming just a big is obvious, but he still has a ways to go yet before he hits Eddie Murphy status. He’ll get there.
2. He came to the US at age 6.
I’ve noticed a trend with some stars. Their families will make their way to the US when they’re still very young and almost as a rule they become naturalized and then find something they are passionate about and eventually become famous. I’m not that naive. I know that a lot of immigrants don’t aspire to fame and go on to lead mundane lives. But with some of the more famous celebrities coming up nowadays this seems to be a commonality.
1. He has a B.A. in Political Science.
Celebrities do have brains. They’re not all ditzes that fell into acting after all. Comics especially seem to need to have a bit more upstairs than others largely because they’ve got to be able to call on that wit whenever they need it. Seriously though he does have B.A. but for some reason he bowed out of a PhD program.
Maz is on his way up, and it’s going to be interesting to see how far he goes.
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