Nazeem Hussain
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{short description|Australian comedian}}
{{Cleanup rewrite|the article has seen undue curation, see talkpage for references|article|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox comedian
| name = Nazeem Hussain
| image = Nazeem Hussain.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Hussain in 2015
| pseudonym =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|4|21|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| medium = {{hlist|Stand-up|television|radio|film}}
| nationality = Australian
| notable_work = Salam Café, Legally Brown, Orange Is the New Brown, "Hy-larious Hyena"
| website =https://www.jubileest.com/nazeem-hussain
}}
Nazeem Hussain is an Australian comedian, actor, television and radio presenter.{{Cite web |title=Nazeem Hussain |url=https://www.jubileest.com/nazeem-hussain |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=Jubilee Street Management |language=en-US}}
He is best known as the creator and star of two television comedy shows, Legally Brown and Orange Is the New Brown. He has also has multiple comedy specials including Nazeem Hussain: Public Frenemy (2019) on Netflix and 'Hussain in the Membrane' (2022) on Youtube.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} He also appeared as a correspondent for both seasons of the hit Netflix series ‘Bill Nye Saves the World’ with American scientist and TV personality Bill Nye (popularly known as ‘Bill Nye the Science guy’).{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}
Hussain released his first children’s book series, Hy-larious Hyena, through Scholastic Australia, in 2022.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}
Early life
Hussain was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, to parents of Sri Lankan descent. He attended Ashburton Primary School, Melbourne High School, and later graduated from Deakin University.{{Cite news |newspaper=Herald Sun|url-access=subscription|access-date=2023-09-19|title=No pain, no gain for comedian Hussain |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/inner-south/comedian-nazeem-hussain-told-he-looks-like-a-fat-version-of-himself/news-story/84f04a16f57820c529341d1666cc2a7f}}
Career
= Stand-up comedy =
As a stand up comic, Hussain was awarded the Best Newcomer Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2008.{{Cite web |title=Awards |url=http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/about-us/awards |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=Melbourne International Comedy Festival |language=en-AU}} He has twice been nominated for the Helpmann Award for Best Comedy Performer.{{Cite web |last=Solarsh |first=Raphael |date=2016-03-29 |title=Nazeem Hussain - Hussain in the Membrane |url=https://www.artshub.com.au/news/reviews/nazeem-hussain-hussain-in-the-membrane-250876-2351783/ |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=ArtsHub Australia |language=en-AU}} His stand up shows include 'Nazeem Hussain: Legally Brown', 'Hussain in the Membrane', 'Hussain That?', 'Nazeem Hussain: Party Animal', 'Nazeem Hussain: Public Frenemy', 'Basic Idiot'.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}
Hussain has performed around the world, including sold-out tours at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and London's Soho Theatre,{{Cite web |title=Nazeem Hussain: Public Frenemy |url=https://sohotheatre.com/shows/nazeem-hussain-public-frenemy/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Soho Theatre |language=en-GB}} as well as New Zealand, Paris, Belgium, China, Singapore, Malaysia, the US, and a special homecoming show in Colombo, Sri Lanka to 2,500 people.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}
Hussain's Netflix comedy special, titled Nazeem Hussain: Public Frenemy, filmed at Montreal's Just For Laughs Festival, began streaming worldwide in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Tina |date=11 July 2018 |title=Joel Creasey & Nazeem Hussain to join 47 comedians for epic Netflix stand-up special |url=https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/netflix-comedy-special-just-for-laughs-joel-creasy-nazeem-hussain-49825 |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Now To Love |language=en}} This garnered him a significant number of new fans and received positive reviews from critics. Both Funny Or Die and Chortle included Hussain's special among their top picks.{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Steve |title=Comedians Of The World - Nazeem Hussain: Public Frenemy : Reviews 2019 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/review/2019/01/03/42009/comedians_of_the_world_-_nazeem_hussain:_public_frenemy |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=www.chortle.co.uk |language=en}}
‘This was my first time seeing Hussain’s stand up, and I can tell you it absolutely will not be the last. Nazeem has incredible stage presence and really has command of the room.’ – Funny or Die (2019){{Cite web |date=2019-01-12 |title='Comedians of the World ' Is A Glorious Comedy Melting Pot |url=https://funnyordie.com/2019/01/11/134525/comedians-of-the-world-is-a-glorious-comedy-melting-pot/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Funny Or Die |language=en-US}}He opened for Dave Chappelle in New York City, and across Australia on his national tour.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-05 |title=The making of Nazeem Hussain |url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/nazeem-hussain-totally-normal-comedian/103334860 |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=ABC listen |language=en-AU}} Hussain also opened for Aziz Ansari in Sydney in 2019. Hussain was invited to perform at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, as a part of Kevin Hart's LOL Network.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}
= Television =
Hussain has appeared in many Australian and international comedy TV shows and reality TV programs.
Hussain performed as Calvin Khan - the 'Very Foreign Correspondent'{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} on the Balls of Steel Australia on the Comedy Channel.{{Cite web |last=Kellett |first=Christine |date=2010-09-06 |title=Balls drop into place for Chaser boy |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/balls-drop-into-place-for-chaser-boy-20100906-14x0e.html |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}} He also starred and co-wrote on the cult-hit show 'Salam Café' on SBS, which received a Logie Award nomination in 2009.{{Cite web |date=2005-08-27 |title=Inside Muslim Melbourne |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/inside-muslim-melbourne-20050827-ge0rm5.html |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=The Age |language=en}}
He is best known for his work as the creator and lead of the popular TV show 'Legally Brown', which aired on SBS Television for two seasons in 2013 and 2014.{{Cite web |date=2013-09-24 |title=Australia Needs More Brown People On TV |url=https://junkee.com/australia-needs-more-brown-people-tv/20370 |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=Junkee |language=en-US}} The show gained significant attention for its daring and provocative content, earning critical acclaim from various sources. It was nominated in the Most Outstanding Comedy category at the prestigious 2015 Logie Awards.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}
In 2017, Hussain became a household name on season 3 of the Australian version of 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!'. He reached the Grand Finale after 46 days spent in the South African jungle. His campmates included Dane Swan, Steve Price, Casey Donovan and Natalie Bassingthwaighte.{{Cite web |last=Carmody |first=Broede |date=2017-03-12 |title=I'm A Celeb 2017: The important thing Nazeem Hussain learnt on I'm A Celebrity |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/im-a-celeb-2017-the-important-thing-nazeem-hussain-learnt-on-im-a-celebrity-20170313-guwk6x.html |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}} Hussain chose InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Domestic Violence as his charity.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}
In October 2018, Hussain's popular TV comedy series titled 'Orange Is The New Brown' aired on Channel 7 at prime time.{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Tina |date=7 September 2018 |title=Nazeem Hussain, Urzila Carlson and Matt Okine to star in Seven's new sketch show |url=https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/nazeem-hussain-urzila-carlson-matt-okine-orange-is-the-new-brown-51071 |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Now To Love |language=en}} It received rave reviews and viewer numbers. Hussain created and starred in the show. Other cast members included Claudia Karvan, Tim Minchin, Urzila Carlson, and Kat Stewart. Many of the sketches from the series have gone viral, with some clips receiving over 10 million views.{{Cite web |title=Nazeem Hussain (@nazeemhussain) Official |url=https://www.tiktok.com/@nazeemhussain?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=TikTok |language=en}}
Hussain was an official correspondent for both seasons of the widely popular Netflix series Bill Nye Saves the World,{{Cite web |last=Lieu |first=Johnny |date=2017-02-15 |title=Bill Nye's new correspondent whose stereotype-challenging work you need to see |url=https://mashable.com/article/nazeem-hussain-comedian-bill-nye-correspondent |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Mashable |language=en}} alongside renowned American scientist and television personality Bill Nye, famously known as 'Bill Nye the Science Guy.' Hussain's fellow correspondents included: Karlie Kloss, Derek Muller, Emily Calandrelli and Joanna Hausman.{{Cite magazine |date=2016-10-14 |title=Karlie Kloss Is Teaming Up with Bill Nye |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2016/10/karlie-kloss-bill-nye-netflix-show |access-date=2023-04-07 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}
Hussain placed third on the Amazon Original comedy series 'Last One Laughing', where Rebel Wilson served as the host, alongside some of Australia's most popular comedians, in a high-stakes competition to make each other laugh while maintaining a straight face.{{Cite news |title= Mercado on TV: Rebel Wilson with comedy's biggest bitches & dirty dogs|date=18 June 2020 |url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/mercado-on-tv-rebel-wilson-with-comedys-biggest-bitches-dirty-dogs/}}
In 2024, Hussain was named in the cast for ABC series The Role of a Lifetime.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2024-07-18 |title=Production begins on The Role Of A Lifetime for ABC {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/07/production-begins-on-the-role-of-a-lifetime-for-abc.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}} In 2025 he appeared as a contestant on Claire Hooper's House Of Games.{{cite web|url=https://iview.abc.net.au/show/claire-hooper-s-house-of-games/series/1.html |title=Claire Hooper's House Of Games: Series 1|publisher=iview.abc.net.au|accessdate=26 June 2025}}
= Other media =
Hussain's first podcast 'Burn Your Passport' won iTunes Best Comedy Podcast in 2016 and is ranked in the top 20 most-listened podcast in Australia.{{Cite web |title=Nazeem Hussain - Hire Keynote and Guest Speaker |url=https://www.icmi.com.au/nazeem-hussain/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=ICMI |language=en-AU}} He is also the host of the ABC's Pineapple Project.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}
Hussain created and starred in the Audible Original podcast 'Rogue Son,' a personal and humorous exploration of his relationship with his Sri Lankan heritage and the complexities of cultural identity.{{Cite web |title=Nazeem Hussain: Rogue Son |url=https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Nazeem-Hussain-Rogue-Son-Podcast/B08HSN249S}} Rogue Son proved to be a major hit, with positive reviews from critics and listeners, ranking high on Audible's most popular podcasts.{{Cite web |title=Melbourne comedian Nazeem Hussain returns to TV |url=https://www.domain.com.au/domain-review/nazeem-hussain-1025711/}}
In 2022, Nazeem released his first new children’s book series, Hy-larious Hyena, through Scholastic Australia.{{Cite book |title=Hy-larious Hyena, by Nazeem Hussain |url=https://www.booktopia.com.au/hy-larious-hyena--nazeem-hussain/book/9781760979706.html}} The second book in the series is soon to be released.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}
Filmography and discography
=Albums and TV specials=
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Solo albums and TV specials |
| Title
! Release date ! Debut medium |
|---|
| Comedians of the World – Public Frenemy
| 1 January 2019 | Streaming TV (Netflix) |
| Hussain in the Membrane
| 5 November 2022 | Streaming TV (YouTube) |
| Totally Normal
| 3 February 2025 | Streaming TV (YouTube) |
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Collaborative albums and TV specials |
| Title
! Release date ! Debut medium |
|---|
| Fear of a Brown Planet
| 31 August 2011 |
| Comedy in Color: Volume 3
| 10 December 2021 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|http://nazeemhussain.com/}}
- {{IMDb name|3832280|Nazeem Hussain}}
- {{YouTube|user=foabrownplanet|Fear of a Brown Planet}}
- [http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/author.asp?id=6000 Nazeem Hussain] on On Line Opinion
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hussain, Nazeem}}
Category:Australian people of Sri Lankan Tamil descent
Category:Australian male comedians
Category:Australian stand-up comedians
Category:Australian comedy writers
Category:Muslim male comedians
Category:Australian television talk show hosts
Category:21st-century Australian male actors
Category:Australian radio personalities
Category:Comedians from Melbourne
Category:Male actors from Melbourne
Category:People educated at Melbourne High School