Russell Peters

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Russell Dominic Peters is a Canadian stand-up comic of Anglo-Indian descent. He is very popular in Canada, and (as of 2006) gaining worldwide recognition through the use of streaming internet videos. He has been nominated for four Gemini Awards, the Canadian equivalent of the American Emmy Awards. He has also been nominated for Best Male Comic at the Canadian Comedy Awards. Peters has been featured at such shows as Montreal's Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and the Edinburgh Festival. He hosted the Canada Day Comedy Festival 2006 (aired 8 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 30, on CBC).

Russell began performing in Toronto in 1989 and has performed in the UK, Australia, China, Singapore, Denmark, South Africa, The Caribbean, Vietnam, Malaysia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the United States.

Russell's comedy focuses largely around his Indian upbringing and racial stereotypes, as he often parodies his parents and the South Asian culture. Much of his material explores the cultural divides between many different ethnicities and upbringings in a way that includes many impressions. In the United States and much of the world, a great deal of his popularity has stemmed from internet users who viewed his 45-minute video. Russell's heritage is Anglo-Indian - a British-Indian mix on both sides of the family. (interview: [1]). Russell has also been a DJ since 1985, and is an amateur boxer.

Personal life

Russell was born to Eric and Maureen Peters, and has a brother named Clayton. He grew up in Canada but now lives in Los Angeles. He was once engaged but is currently single.

Russell's father, Eric Peters, died in March 2004 from cancer. He was a firm supporter of his son and was very proud of the success that Russell had achieved at the time of his passing.

Russell is represented by Creative Artists Agency in the United States and is managed by his brother, Clayton Peters, CPI Management Services Ltd.

His first comedy special Russell Peters: Outsourced, aired on Comedy Central on August 26, 2006. 'Russell Peters: Outsourced' was also made available on DVD and CD in stores on August 29, 2006. His earlier performances on the "Comedy Now!" specials have also been released on DVD.