Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters Dads' Rights
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations Illinois Legislature
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” Crime
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Business
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County
  • On Saturday, October 4th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted the Fifth Annual 16th District Dia de los Muertos Resource Fair at his district office. Partnering with Commissioner Aguilar were the Village of Lyons, Lyons School District 103, Teamsters Local 777, and Rincon Family Services.
    Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair  Cook County
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches Candidacy for Congress Civil Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Statement of US Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and Federal Law Enforcement Leadership in Chicago on Ongoing Criminal Immigration Enforcement Operations Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Cook County
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Hastings: $123 million in IDOT projects will improve South Suburban roads through collaboration with local leaders construction
  • Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Business
  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child Dads' Rights
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
    Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park Baby Boomers
  • Emagine Theater Pink popcorn
    Popcorn with a purpose: Emagine Theatres brings back Pink Caramel Corn to support Pink Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Business
Egyptian American comedian Ahmed Ahmed at The Comedy Bar in Chicago. June 2023

Ahmed Ahmed reigns as the Pharaoh of Standup Comedy

Posted on June 15, 2023June 15, 2023 By Ray Hanania 2 Comments on Ahmed Ahmed reigns as the Pharaoh of Standup Comedy
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Ahmed Ahmed reigns as the Pharaoh of Standup Comedy

Egyptian immigrant Ahmed Ahmed continues to lead the field of Arab American standup comedy and big screen films as he tours the country performing at your favorite comedy venue. Ahmed is probably the first Arab American to make standup comedy and acting his career focus, and he is very good at it leading a field of Arab American comedians that continues to grow.

By Ray Hanania

The first Arab comedian to speak to Americans was Danny Thomas, who was Lebanese American. He was the star of The Danny Thomas Show a sitcom which aired on American television first titled “Make Room for Daddy” from 1952 until 1957 on ABC TV, and then as The Danny Thomas Show from 1957 until 1964. Thomas played the role of Danny Williams, a successful comedian and nightclub entertainer at the Copa Club, based on the iconic New York City nightclub the Copacabana.

Thomas introduced Americans to their first taste of a positive image of Arab culture, identifying as a typical American father of Lebanese heritage in the series including and strengthening it with the character of his iconic Uncle Tonoose, played by Hans Conried.

There have been a few Arab American actors who have played funny roles on TV sitcoms including Victor Tayback who played the grumpy Mel Sharpless character in the popular sitcom Alive, which aired from 1976 until 1985. Tayback was born in Brooklyn from immigrant parents from Aleppo, Syria, eventually settling in California where the comedy bug has slammed many.

One of those bitten by the comedy and acting bug was an Egyptian American who was born in Egypt and immigrated to America with his parents when he was one month old, Ahmed Ahmed.

Egyptian American comedian Ahmed Ahmed at The Comedy Bar in Chicago. June 2023
Egyptian American comedian Ahmed Ahmed at The Comedy Bar in Chicago. June 2023

 

Born in Helwan, Egypt, Ahmed was raised in Riverside, California but made his way to Los Angeles at the age of 19 to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

 

His first big break came in 1996 in the suspense, action film Executive Decision alongside Kurt Russell, Steven Segal, and Halle Berry. He dabbled in comedy for many years while pursing his acting career.

The terrorism of Sept. 11, 2001 changed the lives of every Arab Americans and pushed many Arab Americans to confront the negative images and stereotypes, and Ahmed Ahmed standup comedy became a quick sensation. He was the first Arab American to be recognized on a national level for his standup comedy performances, embraced by the comedy legend Mitzi Shore, the mother of actor and comedian Paulie Shore, at the Comedy Store which she launched in 1972.

Nothing has been more powerful in changing public attitudes than humor, and int he past two decades, we have seen a rise in Arab American comedians who have turned to standup comedy to alter the heavily negative attitudes that many Americans have wrongly had of Arab culture and its people.

And while the Arab American standup comedy venue was competitive, Ahmed Ahmed always helped and encouraged other Arab Americans to pursue their own careers.

In 2002, Ahmed encouraged my fledgeling standup comedy career — or “careen” which crashed landed me into a public battle with then Jewish American comedian Jackie Mason. I had made it to the Zanies comedy club stage for my own 9-show performance in late August 2002 when the club asked me to make room for Mason who needed to practice for a broadway show opening he had planned for that Fall. But when Mason discovered I was “Palestinian,” he had me bounced — from my own show.

Still, it was a lot of fun and I used comedy as a means of confronting the animosity many Arabs faced.

But Ahmed Ahmed took the career further than anyone expanding his movie acting career and also successfully launching a national comedy troupe called The Axis of Evil with two other comedians, Maz Jobrani and Aaron Kader. The trio was phenomenal and no one has come close to their achievements.

I got a chance to enjoy Ahmed’s comedy while he was in Chicago recently at a comedy club called The Comedy Bar, 162 Superior Street in the Loop.

Although Ahmed didn’t shy away from his Arab and Egyptian heritage, bantering with audience members about it during his five-performance run at The Comedy Bar, his comedy was diverse and spoke to issues that every audience could identify with. And it was, most important, hilarious. Funny. Entertaining.

Ahmed Ahmed is at the cutting edge of professional standup comedy. He is hilarious and can carry audience laughter through the entire performance hour. That’s not always an easy thing for comedians to do.

He’s traveling now but will be back in the US soon. I did an interview with him that will be broadcast soon on the US Arab Radio Network in Detroit and Washington DC on my national radio show “The Ray Hanania Radio Show” sponsored by Arab News newspaper.

You won’t want to miss his performance the next time he is in your city. Check him out and enjoy it. Be ready for anything.

Follow his performances and career on Instagram @ahmedahmedcomedy.

Here’s more background on Ahmed Ahmed from his bio page at The Improv.

Egyptian-American actor, comedian, producer, and director Ahmed Ahmed is one of the most diverse, multi-faceted talents in the entertainment industry today. In 2014, he can be seen starring as “Ahmed” on TBS’ hit comedy series Sullivan & Son.

Executive Produced by Vince Vaughn, the show follows Steve Sullivan [Steve Byrne], a corporate lawyer who surprises his parents when he leaves his job to take over a bar owned by his father in Pittsburgh. Ahmed made his first appearance as unlucky in love, tow-truck driver [and best friend to Steve] “Ahmed” in season one, and joined the cast as a series regular in season two, quickly becoming a fan favorite. Ahmed is currently the only Arab-American actor playing a non-stereotypical role on a comedy sitcom, today.

Ahmed went on to appear in a handful of blockbuster and cult hit features including Swingers, Iron Man, and You Don’t Mess With The Zohan. On the television front, Ahmed has appeared on top series such as Tracy Takes On, Weeds, and Roseanne to name a few. In 2011, Ahmed made his directorial debut with his groundbreaking documentary Just Like Us.

The film premiered at Tribeca Film Festival, and went on to be selected at 30 international film festivals, winning several “Best Director” and “Best Documentary” awards. The documentary, a celebration of culture and comedy, follows Ahmed and ten American comedians through Dubai, Egypt, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia, performing in front of over 20,000 Arabs and Muslims across the region. Just Like Us garnered Ahmed attention on the political front, and he was invited to The White House to have dinner with President Obama, and was also invited to The State Department to have dinner with Hilary Clinton- as they commended him on creating a project that made an effort to break down barriers and encourage cross-cultural dialogue.

Ahmed is currently in post-production on Just Like Us Too, which takes place in Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and Oman. While working in film and television Ahmed’s profile in comedy continues to rise, being hand picked by Vince Vaughn for his Wild West Comedy Tour [2005-present]. Vaughn is currently producing the first ever Wild West comedy festival in Nashville, Tennessee where Ahmed will hold the roll of Comedy Ambassador, performing and hosting shows.

In 2005, Ahmed cofounded and performed in the Axis of Evil Comedy Tour which aired on Comedy Central as the first ever Middle Eastern stand up comedy special. Ahmed is also the winner of the first annual Richard Pryor Award for Ethnic Comedy at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in Scotland. Ahmed is currently a paid regular performer at the world famous Comedy Story in Hollywood, The Laugh Factory, and the Comedy Cellar in New York City. He regularly tours nationally and internationally, and in summer 2014, Ahmed will hit the road for the Sullivan & Son Comedy Tour with his cast mates from the series, hitting 20+ markets across the country. Ahmed is a true believer that laughter heals, and that comedy can bridge the gap between communities across the world.

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters - October 9, 2025
  • Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations - October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” - October 8, 2025
NPV: 32
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Blogger, Chicago, Comedy, Commentary, Entertainment, Features, Humor, Opinion, rayhanania Tags:actor, Ahmed Ahmed, Arab American humor, Chicago, Comedy, humor, Jackie Mason, performance, stand up comedy, standup comedy, The Comedy Bar, The Comedy Store, Zanies

Post navigation

Previous Post: Bolingbrook to host International Festival of Culture July 15
Next Post: Reps. Robin Kelly, Rashida Tlaib, Rosa DeLauro, and Maxwell Frost Introduce Safe Storage Saves Lives Act to Reduce Firearm Deaths of Children

Related Posts

  • Mike Porfirio, Democrat endorsed candidate for 11th Senate District
    Broad coalition pushes for additional police district on city’s Southwest Side Chicago
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Leving: Father wins case to raise his daughters Chicago
  • Orland Township supervisor Paul O'Grady
    O’Grady proposes using vacant Andrew land for popular Pioneers Football league Cook County
  • The Village of Orland Park board divided over wearing face masks. Image courtesy of the Village of Orland Park
    Village of Orland Park votes down law requiring the wearing of face masks Cook County
  • Chicago Sailor Serves Aboard a Floating Airport at Sea Chicago
  • Raymond Lopez, candidate 4th Congressional District March 19, 2024 Democratic Primary election
    Citizen champion Alderman Raymond Lopez announces his candidacy for U.S. Congress in 4th District Chicago

More Related Articles

Handicap parking space. Handicapped Issues and controversies that I just can’t seem to ignore Blogger
Chicago Wolves lose to Grand Rapids Griffins February 2021. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves Chicago Wolves Five-Game winning streak ends Chicago
Why so much emphasis in Illinois on protecting criminals? Blogger
money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash Collections fall after record south suburban property tax increases, Treasurer Pappas reports breaking news
Chicago Wolves courtesy of the Chicago Wolves Ross, Chicago Wolves earn rollercoaster win in Rockford Chicago
Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights Children rescued from abusive home now safe, Dads’ Rights attorney Leving reports Chicago

Comments (2) on “Ahmed Ahmed reigns as the Pharaoh of Standup Comedy”

  1. Pingback: Ahmed Ahmed Net Worth 2023: From Hollywood to Riches - Hooke Audio
  2. Pingback: Ahmed Ahmed reigns as the Pharaoh of Standup Comedy – Kookloofeed

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays
    August 27, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language
    August 8, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters
    October 9, 2025
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations
    October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz”
    October 8, 2025
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs
    October 8, 2025
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago
    October 8, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme