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Mohammed Amer

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For other people with similar names, see Mohamed Amer.

Mohammed Amer
Amer at a comedy show in Ramallah, Palestine in August 2016
PseudonymMo Amer, Mohammed Najjar
Born1981
Kuwait
MediumStand-up, television, film
NationalityAmerican
Years active1999–present
GenresObservational comedy, satire, self-deprecation, storytelling, improv, character comedy
Subject(s)Islamic humour, Islamophobia, Political satire, Family, Marriage, Racism, American immigration, Refugees

Mohammed Mustafa Amer (Arabic: محمد عامر; born 1981) is a Palestinian American stand-up comedian. He is known for his Netflix comedy special Mo Amer: The Vagabond and as a member of the comedy trio Allah Made Me Funny. Amer also appeared in the Hulu sitcom Ramy for two seasons, where he played the character Mo, Ramy's cousin who owns a diner. Additionally, he starred in the film Black Adam and created and stars in the Netflix series Mo, which is loosely based on his experiences as a Palestinian refugee. The show was released in August 2022. Amer also hosted the 2023 season of Doha Debates' flagship series, filmed in Qatar's Education City.[1]

Early life

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Amer is of Palestinian descent and the youngest of six children.[2] His father worked as an engineer for the Kuwait Oil Company.[3] Amer attended a British school in Kuwait, where he learned English with a British accent.

At the age of 9, Amer, along with his siblings and mother, fled Kuwait during the Gulf War and immigrated to the United States, settling in Houston, Texas. He was placed in an ESL class, despite already being proficient in English.[4][5]

In 1992, Amer's father, a telecom engineer, joined the family in the United States. Amer attended Piney Point Elementary School. One of his brothers became a pilot, and another earned a PhD in biochemistry.[6] Amer's father passed away in 1995 when Amer was 14 years old, leading to a period of academic struggles. A teacher later encouraged him to pursue comedy as an outlet for his grief.[4]

Career

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At age 10, Amer attended a Bill Cosby performance at the Houston Astrodome,[3] and four years later, he discovered stand-up comedy at a Texas rodeo.[7][8] An English teacher encouraged him to perform a monologue from Shakespeare in exchange for improving his grades, leading to Amer's interest in comedy.[3] He began participating in high school theater and eventually started performing stand-up comedy[9][10] by impersonating family members.[11] Amer refined his comedic skills at Houston's comedy clubs[12] while working at a flag manufacturing company.[3]

In June 1999,[5] Amer participated in Houston's Funniest Person Contest and reached the finals. He was then directed to The Comedy Showcase, where the owner, Danny Martinez, mentored him in stand-up comedy.[13] By age 19, Amer was performing for U.S. troops stationed abroad,[4] becoming one of the first Arab-American refugee comedians to do so.[14]

Amer has since performed in over 27 countries across five continents and was a part of the "Allah Made Me Funny" comedy tour with Preacher Moss and Azhar Usman starting in 2006.[15] In 2004, he performed at The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas[9][11] and has since appeared at various international festivals and events, including the Islamic Relief Evening of Inspiration at the Royal Albert Hall in 2007[16][17] and the Global Peace and Unity event in Londonin 2008.[12][18]

Amer's comedy has been featured in sold-out shows worldwide, including venues such as Royal Albert Hall, Hammersmith Apollo, and Shrine Auditorium.[14] He has also appeared on television and radio, including NPR, BBC, and CNN,[14] and has been interviewed by major media outlets like The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and The Guardian. Amer was also featured on "Al-Bernameg with Bassem Youssef," the Egyptian equivalent of The Daily Show.[19]

In 2015, Amer recorded his one-hour special, Legally Homeless, at the Warner Theatre,[3] becoming one of the first Arab-Americans to have a nationally televised stand-up special.[7][8][20] The special's title reflects Amer's experiences of navigating multiple cultures without a passport. Legally Homeless includes appearances by comedians such as Azhar Usman, Bassem Youssef, Hasan Minhaj, and Ramy Youssef.[21]

Amer has co-written an original feature screenplay with filmmaker Iman Zawahry and Azhar Usman.[14][19] He began touring with Dave Chappelle in 2015[22] and made his U.S. network television debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in March 2017.[23]

In 2018, Amer joined the cast of the Hulu show Ramy, playing Ramy's cousin Mo, who owns a diner where many of the show's characters gather. He also filmed his first Netflix comedy special,[24] Mo Amer: The Vagabond, which was released in 2018.[25]

In 2022, Amer created and starred in the Netflix series Mo, loosely based on his experiences as a Palestinian refugee.[26] The show has received several awards, including a Peabody Award, and has been renewed for a second season. Amer also starred in the DC film Black Adam alongside Dwayne Johnson in 2022 and was named GQ Man of the Year in the UAE.

Comedy style

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Amer draws from his ethnic and family background to discuss issues related to religion, terrorism, and contemporary politics, using personal stories about his family and himself.[14] He often addresses his Palestinian heritage,[27] family experiences, and growing up in America.[28]

Personal life

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Amer lived in Los Angeles with his wife and step-daughter.[29][better source needed]

In 2009, Amer became a U.S. citizen, allowing him to travel to Palestine and Jordan to visit family he had not seen for almost 20 years.[5] He also returned to Kuwait and Baghdad for the first time since his family fled.[4]

In October 2023, Amer signed an open letter for the "Artists4Ceasefire" campaign, along with other artists, urging President Joe Biden to advocate for a ceasefire during the 2023 Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip.[30]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2021 Americanish Zane
2022 Black Adam Karim
2024 Sweet Dreams Pete

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2018 Crashing Himself Episode: "Porter Got HBO"
Mo Amer: The Vagabond Himself Netflix Comedy Special
2019–present Ramy Mo Main role
2021 Mo Amer: Mohammed in Texas Himself Netflix Comedy Special
2022–present Mo Mo Najjar Also creator

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2022 Gotham Awards Breakthrough Series (Under 40 Minutes) Mo Won [31]
2023 Independent Spirit Awards Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series Mo Nominated [32]
2023 Peabody Awards Entertainment Mo Won [33]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Netflix Star Mo Amer to host new Doha Debates Programme". Doha News. January 19, 2023.
  2. ^ Donadoni, Serena (2008). "Comedy With a Mission". Dispatches. The Cinema Girl. Archived from the original on August 30, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e Althoff, Eric (April 29, 2015). "Arab-American comedian breaks down stereotypes". The Washington Times. Washington. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d Khan, Yasmeen (March 27, 2009). "Mo Amer: an Arab-American standup in Texas". The Guardian. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c Bahmani, Al (December 31, 2012). "Mo Amer: Comic Ambassador". Houston: Comedy Scene in Houston. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  6. ^ Judell, Brandon (October 4, 2008). "Getting Jocular with Muslims". Spiritual Practice. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  7. ^ a b Dahler, Don; Zingaro, Dina; Banerji, Suvro (August 1, 2015). "Arab-American comedian breaks down stereotypes". CBS News. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  8. ^ a b "Arab-American comedian breaks down stereotypes". Observer Chronicle. August 2, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  9. ^ a b "Biography". Legally Homeless :: Trials of a Refugee. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  10. ^ "Comedian-Mo-Amer". Neon Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 18, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  11. ^ a b "Mo Amer". Rooftop Comedy. Archived from the original on March 22, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  12. ^ a b "Performers". Global Peace and Unity Event 2008. October 2008. Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2011. Mo Amer
  13. ^ "Mo Amer". Campus Activities Magazine. April 2012. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  14. ^ a b c d e "Biography". MuslimFest. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  15. ^ "Performers". Allah Made Me Funny. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2011. Mo Amer
  16. ^ "Evening of Inspiration 2007 Flyer". Islamic Relief. February 26, 2007. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  17. ^ "News Concert Schedule 2006–07". Awakening Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 27, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  18. ^ "Biography". Mo Amer's Official Website. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  19. ^ a b "MOCAfest Alumni Spotlight: Comedian Mo Amer". Aquila Style. July 21, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  20. ^ "US Comedian: Prophet Had Great Sense of Humor". OnIslam. August 2, 2015. Archived from the original on October 10, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  21. ^ "Palestinian-American Comic Mo Amer to Bring LEGALLY HOMELESS to D.C., 5/3". Broadway World. April 3, 2015. p. 2. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  22. ^ Barnes, Steve (October 4, 2015). "Review: Dave Chappelle @ Palace Theatre, 10/4/15". Times Union. Albany, New York. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  23. ^ "UPCOMING GUESTS ON "THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT," 3/3-3/10". CBS Press Express. March 3, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  24. ^ "MO AMER on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  25. ^ "Mo Amer: The Vagabond". Netflix Official Site. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  26. ^ "Mohammed Amer's new series explores the tragedy and comedy in the refugee experience". Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  27. ^ Brussat, Frederic; Brussat, Mary Ann. "Film Review: Allah Made Me Funny: Live in Concert". Spiritual Practice. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  28. ^ Fry, Ted (October 3, 2008). ""Allah Made Me Funny": Stand-ups riff on being Muslim in America". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  29. ^ "Mohammed "Mo" Amer @ Laff spot". Mohammed Amer. March 25, 2010. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  30. ^ Veltman, Chloe (October 21, 2023). "Entertainment industry A-listers sign a letter to Biden urging a cease-fire in Gaza". NPR. Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  31. ^ "'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Wins Best Feature at Gotham Awards". Variety. November 28, 2022.
  32. ^ "Film Independent Spirit Award TV Nominations: 'Abbott Elementary,' 'The Bear,' 'Severance,' 'Station Eleven' Lead". The Hollywood Reporter. December 13, 2022.
  33. ^ "Peabody Awards: 'Abbott Elementary,' 'Andor,' 'Severance' and 'We're Here' Among Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. May 9, 2023.
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