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]
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 |
| Spouse |
Chelsea Devantez (m. 2022) |
Early life
editLester 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
editIn 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] From 2019 to 2021 he 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
editTelevision
edit| 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 |
| 2014 | Chelsea Peretti: One of the Greats | Himself | Netflix special |
| 2016 | Netflix Presents: The Characters | Male Student | Episode: "Kate Berlant" |
| 2016 | The Carmichael Show | — | Story editor and writer |
| 2016–2017 | Girls | Declan | 2 episodes; also story editor and staff writer |
| 2016–2017 | @midnight | Himself | 5 episodes |
| 2017 | Making History | Chris Parrish | 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 X | Main role; also writer, story editor, and co-executive producer |
| 2019 | Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Quentin Chase | Episode: "The Tattler" |
| 2020 | #blackAF | Director | Episode: "yo, between you and me... this is because of slavery"; also producer |
| 2020 | United We Fall | Yassir | Episode: "The Weekend" |
| 2020 | The George Lucas Talk Show | Himself | Episode: "May the AR Be LI$$ You" |
| 2020–2022 | Duncanville | Yangzi (voice) | Series regular |
| 2021 | Black-ish | Jamal | Episode: "Things Done Changed" |
| 2021 | Ten Year Old Tom | (voice) | Episode: "The Bassoon Incident/Ice Cream Money"; also writer and co-executive producer |
| 2022 | Single Drunk Female | Lucas | Episode: "James" |
| 2024 | Sausage Party: Foodtopia | (voice) | 4 episodes |
Film
edit| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | The Bet | Ed McDoogle | |
| 2022 | Clerks III | RST Customer | |
| 2024 | The Gutter | — | Writer, director, and executive producer |
Web
edit| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | The Late Night Fix with Yassir Lester | Himself | Main role, also writer and executive producer |
| 2021 | Storytime with Seth Rogen | Himself | Podcast; Episode: "Ugly Joke" |
References
edit- ^ 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.