Yassir Lester
Yassir Lester | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 22, 1984 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Comedian, actor, writer |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Known for | Making 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
- ^ a b c "Episode 22: A Dude Named Hot Sauce (with Yassir Lester) | Another Round". WNYC. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
- ^ Petski, Denise (2016-03-17). "Yassir Lester Joins Fox Pilot 'Making History'; Daniel Bonjour In The CW's 'Frequency'". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Comedy Bang! Bang!" (Podcast). Earwolf. 2020-07-27.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Yassir Lester of 'Making History' Is Having His Flamin' Hots Moment". Observer. 2017-03-07. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2018-06-30). "'Champions' Canceled By NBC After One Season, May Explore Future Elsewhere". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
- ^ "'Champions': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.