Ali Hassan (comedian)
Ali Hassan is a Canadian comedian best known as the host of CBC Radio One's weekly comedy program Laugh Out Loud[1] and as the moderator of CBC Radio's annual Canada Reads competition since 2017.[2]
Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on September 11, 1972, and raised in Montreal, Quebec,[3] Hassan studied business administration at McMaster University before launching his comedy career.[3] Initially he ran his own catering business with the goal of becoming a television cooking show host, and began performing as a comedian to build his confidence.[4] After two years performing as a comedian in Montreal, he was invited to perform as an opening act for Russell Peters at the inaugural Amman Stand-up Comedy Festival in Amman, Jordan.[4] During this time, he also had supporting roles in the films Breakaway, French Immersion and Goon.[3]
After moving to Toronto, Ontario in 2011,[4] he began appearing regularly on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight and continued performing as a touring comic.[5] In 2013, he recorded his first comedy DVD, From Zero to Hero, in Montreal.[3] In 2016, he performed his newest show, Muslim, Interrupted, at the Just for Laughs Festival.[5]
In addition to his regular roles with CBC Radio, he is a frequent guest host of Q.[6]
He received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Host in a Web Program or Series at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021, as cohost with Peter Keleghan of the National Canadian Film Day livestream.[7]
As of 2022, he has a recurring role in the CBC Television sitcom Run the Burbs.[8]
References
- "A legacy of laughter". Montreal Gazette, April 17, 2014.
- "CBC Canada Reads 2017 announces longlist, including Katherena Vermette, Vivek Shraya, André Alexis". National Post, December 19, 2016.
- "Prodigal son, now a father, returns for more laughs; Comedian Ali Hassan comes back to Montreal to record first DVD". Montreal Gazette, November 14, 2013.
- "Comedian pulls double duty at TIFF". Etobicoke Guardian, September 9, 2011.
- "The funny side of being Muslim: Hassan explores his secular baggage in one-man show at Just For Laughs". Montreal Gazette, July 14, 2016.
- "Get ready for Canada Reads 2019!". CBC Books, December 7, 2018.
- Brent Furdyk, "Television Nominees Announced For 2021 Canadian Screen Awards, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Leads The Pack With 21 Nominations". ET Canada, March 30, 2021.
- Alexandra Del Rosario, "‘Run The Burbs’: Rakhee Morzaria, Zoriah Wong, Roman Pesino & More Set As Main Cast Of CBC Family Comedy From Andrew Phung". Deadline Hollywood, September 27, 2021.