In case you have been living under a rock for the last few years, you have heard of the funny Maz Jobrani, the founding member of the successful Axis of Evil Comedy Group, which was also featured on Comedy Central.
Maziar “Maz” Jobrani, is an established comic who has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Lopez Tonight, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, and others, and also starred in numerous TV shows and movies including The Interpreter opposite Sean Penn and Nicole Kidman, Friday After Next with Ice Cube, 13 Going on 30, and Better off Ted, and guest starred on Curb Your Enthusiasm, The West Wing, 24, NYPD Blue, ER and much more.
Maz is also preparing to shoot his new film Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero – a cross between a Middle Eastern “Pink Panther” and “Bend it Like Beckham.”
Maz Jobrani is JIMMY VESTVOOD (JimmyVestWood.com)
You may also know Maz through the 2010 Census PSA, a collabaration with Maz and Iranican:
Iranican Census 2010 PSA with Maz Jobrani
Maz is currently on his second solo tour titled Browner and Friendlier, and we were lucky enough to catch up with him at one of this shows at the Warner Theatre in Washington DC. Please enjoy the gallery from Maz’s performance by clicking on the picture below and make sure you also read our interview with Maz below:
We caught up with Maz after his show for a quick interview…
Maz, thank you for taking a moment to talk to us…
1. Are you doing anything for Eid? What did you do for Chahar-shanbeh-soori?
For Eid I was on a plane from DC to LA. I ordered Sabzi Polo Mahi on American Airlines and the lady just stared at me. She gave me a bag of nuts instead. For Chahar Shanbeh Soori I jumped over a burning match. I’m getting older so I can’t jump like I used to.
2. Tell us about your new movie Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero.
Jimmy Vestvood is a film I’ve written with my writing partner, Amir Ohebsion. It’s about an Iranian living in Westwood with his mother who’s always wanted to be an American hero. It’s kind of like a Persian Pink Panther. In the end Jimmy saves the day and the tagline of the movie is “You don’t have to be American to be an Amerikan Hero.” We want Jimmy to be the first Middle Eastern hero in American cinema. You can join Jimmy’s facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/jimmy.vestvood for fun stories about Jimmy and his mother, Maman.
3. You’re an actor, writer, and comedian, What has been the key to your success?
I think the biggest key is my long, beautiful, hair. My second biggest key though has been the fact that I love doing what I’m doing. If you don’t love doing what you’re doing it’s a lot harder to be good at it. So for me it was either this or sleeping (which I love!!!)
4. How do you spend your time when you’re not acting or doing comedy?
Now that I’ve got 2 kids I try to spend as much of it with them as possible. I also try to workout. But those damn chocolate chip cookies always get in the way!
5. What were some of the challenges you faced while making a name for yourself?
Well my parents made my name so it was really easy. By the time I was old enough to understand I had a name. But if you mean what were the challenges in my career to get to where I am, I’d say that there were long hours and a lot of rejection, but again, I loved doing what I do so I never considered any of this a setback.
6. Your material is very funny, you mix politics, culture, and everything in between. Do you ever see yourself doing anything beyond acting/comedy?
I love comedy and I love acting. I’d love to go to the next level and produce a sitcom. I’d love to be in it too. Would also love to do more movies. I think that’s the natural progression. If I ever get to a point where I have extra time on my hands I’d love to learn the piano and to cook.
7. What can we expect from Maz Jobrani in the future?
Hopefully more of me in film or TV. I’m working on a web series that I hope to release later this year so look out for that. Make sure to go to www.mazjobrani.com and enter your e-mail address or go to www.facebook.com/mazjobrani so I can keep you posted on everything.
8. Before we wrap it up, any final words to your fans?
The answer to everything is 5!
Maz, thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with us, and there you have it folks, the answer to everything is 5!
Maz Jobrani’s Browner and Friendlier tour will be in Vancouver on April 8, 2011 and in Seattle on April 9, 2011. You can find the complete list of Maz’s tour of cities on his website at www.MazJobrani.com
Find more information on Maz through:
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