Top 10 Interesting Facts about Aziz Ansari

Aziz Ansari at the 2012 Time 100 gala. Photo by David Shankbone on Wikimedia

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Aziz Ansari

Aziz Ismail Ansari is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer and director who is known for his role as Tom Haverford on the NBC series Parks and Recreation. He is also well-known as the creator and star of the Netflix series Master of None which helped him win several awards in acting and writing. Aziz has several awards including two Emmys and a Golden Globe which were the first to be won by an Indian American and Asian American actor.

He was born on 23rd February 1983 in Colombia, South Carolina to Indian immigrants from Tamil Nadu. His parents, Fatima and Shoukath are Tamil Muslims even though Aziz is non-religious. Aziz grew up in Bennettsville, South Carolina where he attended Marlboro Academy and the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics.

Aziz graduated from the New York University Stern School of Business in 2004. He got a Bachelor of Business degree in marketing. Fatima, his mother is an obstetrician and gynaecologist and his father is gastroenteritis who appeared in the first two seasons of Master of None.

Aziz started his acting career by performing comedy in New York City when he was still a student at NYU Stern in 2000. Aziz later starred and co-created the MTV sketch comedy show Human Giant and had several acting roles in several feature films.

Below are the Top 10 Interesting Facts about Aziz Ansari:

1. He was Born Into a Family of Educated People

Aziz Ansari is one of the luckiest people to be born into a family of highly educated parents. His parents are Indian immigrants who live in the United States.

Fatima, his mother is a renowned obstetrician and gynaecologist. His father, Shoukath, is a gastroenterologist who is hardworking and gives the best to their family.

2. Aziz Attended Top Schools and Graduated with a Degree in Marketing

Aziz Ansari at the 71st Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon 2012. Photo by Peabody Awards on Wikimedia

Aziz was born in Colombia, South Carolina where he grew up with his younger brother who is seven years his junior. He grew up in Bennettsville, South Carolina where he also studied in top schools.

Aziz attended Marlboro Academy in his early years then joined the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics. He later joined the New York University Stern School of Business. Aziz graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Business degree in marketing.

3. Aziz Ansari Began Comedy in New York City as a Student at NYU Stern

In 2000, Aziz Ansari joined the New York University Stern where he enrolled in the School of Business. His interest in comedy started coming up clearly with what he began doing with his peers while in University.

Aziz frequently performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and in weekly shows such as Invite Them Up. He was so lucky in 2005 after Rolling Stone included him in their annual “Hot List” as their choice for the “Hot Standup”. Aziz won the Jury Award for Best Standup at HBO’s 2006 United States Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado.

4. His Performances in 2008’s NBC Comedy Got Praised by Critics

71st Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon Waldorf=Astoria Hotel. May 21, 2012. Photo by Peabody Awards on Wikimedia

After graduating, Aziz Ansari continued with his acting career which was blooming. In June 2008, he was selected and announced as the first cast hire for NBC’s comedy Parks and Recreation.

This show debuted in April 2009 when Aziz played one of the main characters Tom Haverford this show ran for seven seasons. The performances of Aziz were praised by critics including Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide and Yahoo! TV. He was placed in the number one spot on its list of TV MVPs.

5. Aziz Won Several Awards in the Netflix Series Master of None

In November 2015 and onwards, Aziz starred in a Netflix original series Master of None which ran for two seasons. He created and wrote this series with Alan Yang of Parks and Recreation. This show was called the year’s best comedy straight out of the gate by James Poniewozik of The New York Times.

His performances in the show earned him a nomination for the Golden Globe for Best Actor- Television Series Musical or Comedy. Alongside Yang, Aziz won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for the episode Parents. They were also honoured with a Peabody Award in May 2016 for the same series.

6. Ansari became the First Asian-American to Win a Golden Globe Award

Aziz Ansari accepting the 75th Annual Peabody Award for Master of None. Photo by Sarah Freeman on Wikimedia

The work and commitment of Aziz Ansari have never gone unnoticed since he began his career. He won several awards for his top performances in various films over his career.

In 2018, he won a Golden Globe for best actor in a TV comedy. He became the first Asian-American actor to win this award, the Golden Globe for acting in television.

7. Aziz also Tours as a Stand-Up Comedian

Other than acting and directing films, television shows and series, Aziz Ansari is also a stand-up comedian who has performed in several countries. In 2006 and 2007, Aziz toured with the Comedians of Comedy and Flight of the Conchords.

During late 2008 and early 2009, Aziz held his comedy tour known as the Glow in the Dark which became the basis for a CD special for Comedy Central. His comedy style focuses on aspects of his personal life. “I like talking about things that are going on in my life because that’s always going to be different and original,” Aziz stated.

8. Ansari is a Writer and Has One Book

Aziz Ansari. Photo by Timothy Krause on Wikimedia

Aziz is also a professional writer whose book, Modern Romance: An Investigation was released on June 16th 2015. This book is about the comedy pitfalls of dating in the modern world. It was written by sociologist Eric Klinenberg.

9. He Wedded His Danish Forensic Data Scientist Girlfriend, Serena

Aziz Ismail Ansari is also a family guy who has managed to keep his wife off the media. In December 2021, Aziz got engaged to Danish forensic data scientist Serena Skov Campbell.

In June 2022, Aziz Ansari and Campbell got married. Their wedding was held in Tuscany, Italy. The two are yet to have a child but their fans hope and expect them to have one soon.

10. Aziz Purchased a US$5.7 Million Apartment in Tribeca

Photo of comedian Aziz Ansari taken in September of ’08. Author Mb3741 on Wikimedia

Aziz Ismail Ansari’s net worth is pretty much more than $1 million which he does not shy to spend on posh things. In 2018, Aziz purchased an apartment in Tribeca, Downtown Manhattan. This apartment was previously owned by New York Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh. It cost him 5.7 million dollars.