Yassir Lester
Born (1984-06-22) June 22, 1984 (age 39)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Occupation(s)Comedian, actor, writer
Years active2011–present
Known forMaking History, Black Monday, Armor Wars

Yassir Lester (born June 22, 1984)[1] is an American stand-up comedian, writer, and actor. He was on the writing staff for The Carmichael Show and Girls. He is best known for his role as Chris in Making History, and a role as a stockbroker, also named Yassir, in the 2019 Showtime series Black Monday.[2][3]

Early life

Lester was born in Miami, Florida. As a child, his family relocated to Marietta, Georgia.[1] His mother is African-American and his father is Palestinian.[4] He aspired to be a stand-up comedian from a young age, and moved to Los Angeles at 21 to pursue a comedy career.[1] He met Jerrod Carmichael soon after arriving and they remain close friends.

Career

In 2016, Lester simultaneously worked on the writing staff of both The Carmichael Show and Girls.[5] He took a break to film Making History, which ran on Fox for one season. He stated that he never intended to act, and had moved to Hollywood to work in TV production and as a stand-up comedian. His friend Adam Pally, who was already attached to star, encouraged him to audition.[6]

He was a cast member on the series Champions in 2018, which was cancelled after one season.[7][8] Since 2019 he has appeared as a Muslim Wall Street trader, also named Yassir, in the Showtime series Black Monday.[3]

In August 2021, Lester joined as screenwriter and executive producer on the upcoming superhero film Armor Wars, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.[9]

Lester regularly performs stand-up comedy.[10]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Note
2013 TakePart Live Himself 6 episodes
2014 My Super-Overactive Imagination The Epic Ex Episode: "Showcase Showdown Part 2"
2014 Between the Sheets with Josh Macuga Himself Episode: "Guest: Yassir Lester"
2014 After the Party Stranger Episode: "Garage Sale"
2014 Key & Peele Laron's Friend #2 Episode: "Concussion Quarterback"
2014 Snack Off Himself / Judge 10 episodes
2016 The Carmichael Show Himself Story editor (9 episodes)
Written (1 episode)
2016–2017 Girls Declan Actor (2 episode)
Story editor (10 episodes)
Staff writer (10 episodes)
2016–2017 @midnight Himself 5 episode
2017 Making History Chris Main role
2017 The Mindy Project David Episode: "Jeremy & Anna's Meryl Streep Costume Party"
2018 Champions Shabaz 8 episodes
2018 Comedy Knockout Himself 2 episodes
2018 A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy Himself Christmas special
2019–2021 Black Monday Yassir Main role
2019 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Quentin Chase Episode: "The Tattler"
2020 The George Lucas Talk Show Himself May the AR Be LI$$ You (Arli$$ marathon fundraiser)
2020–2022 Duncanville Yangzi (voice) Series regular

Film

Year Title Role Note
2016 The Bet Ed McDoogle
TBA Armor Wars — Writer

Web

Year Title Role Note
2011 The Late Night Fix with Yassir Lester Himself Main role, writer, executive producer
2014 Chelsea Peretti: One of the Greats Himself Netflix special
2016 Netflix Presents: The Characters Male Student Episode: "Kate Berlant"
2021 Podcast: Storytime with Seth Rogen Himself Episode: "Ugly Joke"

References

  1. ^ a b c "Episode 22: A Dude Named Hot Sauce (with Yassir Lester) | Another Round". WNYC. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  2. ^ Petski, Denise (2016-03-17). "Yassir Lester Joins Fox Pilot 'Making History'; Daniel Bonjour In The CW's 'Frequency'". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  3. ^ a b Menta, Anna (2019-01-09). "Don Cheadle Is Back in the World of Money and '80s Fashion on Showtime's 'Black Monday'". Newsweek. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  4. ^ "Comedy Bang! Bang!" (Podcast). Earwolf. 2020-07-27.
  5. ^ "From 'Girls' to Time Travel: How Yassir Lester Went Back in Time for 'Making History'". The Hollywood Reporter. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  6. ^ "Yassir Lester of 'Making History' Is Having His Flamin' Hots Moment". Observer. 2017-03-07. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  7. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2018-06-30). "'Champions' Canceled By NBC After One Season, May Explore Future Elsewhere". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  8. ^ "'Champions': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  9. ^ Kroll, Justin (2021-08-20). "Marvel's 'Armor Wars' Starring Don Cheadle Taps Yassir Lester As Head Writer Of Disney+ Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  10. ^ "Get a Life and Catch Chris Elliott and Adam Resnick This Week in New York". www.villagevoice.com. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 2019-01-12.

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