Russell Peters

Born in Toronto, Canada and steadily making his way to the top of the heap in the United States, Russell Peters is already a superstar in much of the world – selling out theatres and arenas from London to Sydney to Los Angeles. In 2008 he joined the exclusive ranks of comedians who have headlined and sold-out Madison Square Garden,
certainly the first comic of South Asian heritage to do so. In Hollywood, the industry refers to this phenomenon as ‘The Legend of Russell Peters’. His success – without a network sitcom, hit movie, regular television presence or mainstream media attention – is practically unprecedented. With over 30 million hits on Youtube and sales of over 250,000 units of his dvds – Outsourced and Red, White and Brown, Peters’ popularity is based on his relationship with audiences that no one else is talking to. His comedy is rooted in the experiences of a second-generation son of South Asian parents in a western world.

Less a classic joke-telling comic than a humourist in the tradition of George Carlin, Peters uses observations on the subjects of race, class and culture to illuminate human shortcomings with the sizzling accuracy of a well-aimed laser. Interacting with the audience, throwing out one-liners and engaging in impromptu dialogue with fans, he owns the stage and holds the audience in the palm of his hand. His quick wit and genius at discerning and mimicking the most subtle distinctions in accents turns his performances into love affairs with his appreciative audiences. During his now 20 years as a professional comic, he has also amassed credits including a recurring role on a Canadian sitcom; his own BBC chat show Network East Late, and a number of feature films including Quarterlife Crisis and most recently The Love Child of Andy Warhol and Yoko Ono. His latest special, Red, White and Brown was broadcast on Showtime - for whom he recently produced Russell Peters Presents. His 2006 comedy special Outsourced was broadcast on Comedy Central. He’s also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Chelsea Lately and Def Comedy Jam.