Max Amini
Max Amini is an Iranian-American comedian and actor known for international stand-up tours and appearances in television and film. His credits include NBC's Heroes, Comedy Central's Mind of Mencia, Netflix's Real Rob, and the feature film Beer Pong Saved My Life. He also founded Abstraction Media and has performed comedy in both English and Persian.
Early life and education
Max Amini was born in Tucson, Arizona, to Iranian parents who immigrated to the United States after the 1979 revolution. His father was an ethnic Persian from Isfahan, while his mother is an Iranian Azerbaijani from Tabriz.
When Amini was eight, his parents moved the family back to Iran, where he was raised until he was 17. He later attended high school in Washington, D.C., moved to California, and graduated from UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television in 2004.
Stand-up comedy
Amini began performing stand-up comedy in 2002 at the LA Improv while attending UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television. He developed the stand-up tour Exotic Imports and went on to perform internationally, including in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
His comedy incorporates observational humor, satire, physical comedy, relationships, family, and Iranian culture. He performs in both English and Persian and has regularly appeared at the Hollywood Laugh Factory. Amini released the two-hour stand-up special Max Amini: Authentically Absurd on DVD in 2015, with Rob Schneider as director. Jerry Seinfeld named Amini one of the top comedians to watch during an episode of Spike's Car Radio Podcast.
Acting
Amini made his acting debut in 2003 as the Ice-Cream Man on Luis Guzmán's comedy series Luis. His subsequent television work included NBC's Heroes, Comedy Central's Mind of Mencia, Geo's Pizza, and Netflix's Real Rob.
He played the lead role of Eric in the 2010 feature film Beer Pong Saved My Life. His later credits include the stand-up special Max Amini: Authentically Absurd, the television series Bad Advice, and The Unseen Prince: Reza Pahlavi, on which he served as director and host.
Abstraction Media
Amini established the production company Abstraction Media in 2010. The company has sold projects to networks including Voice of America and Discovery.
His production work has included directing the Netflix original stand-up special Enissa Amani: Ehrenwort and the feature film James The Second.
Quick facts
- Amini was raised in Iran from age eight until age 17 after his parents moved the family there from the United States.
- He began performing stand-up comedy at the LA Improv in 2002 and developed a tour called Exotic Imports.
- Amini performs stand-up comedy in both English and Persian.
- Jerry Seinfeld named Amini one of the top comedians to watch on Spike's Car Radio Podcast.
- Rob Schneider directed Amini's 2015 two-hour stand-up special Max Amini: Authentically Absurd.
- Amini founded the production company Abstraction Media in 2010.
- Amini directed the Netflix original stand-up special Enissa Amani: Ehrenwort.
- Amini made his acting debut as the Ice-Cream Man on the 2003 comedy series Luis.
- He played Eric, the lead role, in the 2010 feature film Beer Pong Saved My Life.
- Amini hosted the television series Minutes with Max Amini in 2014.
- He served as director and host of The Unseen Prince: Reza Pahlavi.
FAQs about Max Amini
What is Max Amini's ethnicity?
Max Amini is Iranian-American. His father was an ethnic Persian from Isfahan, and his mother is an Iranian Azerbaijani from Tabriz.
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