Nik Rabinowitz
{{short description|South African comedian, actor and author}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox comedian
| name = Nik Rabinowitz
| image = Nik Pension Killer copy.jpg
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1976|10|3|df=y}}
| birth_place = Cape Town, South Africa
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| alma_mater = University of Cape Town
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| genre =Stand-up comedy, television, film, radio
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| spouse =Debbie Rabinowitz
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| children =3
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Nik Rabinowitz is a South African stand-up comedian, actor, author, TV presenter, and [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgP-acWfQA3p-iKIZWlHLqcdFUZ3EoZMe podcast host], known for his multilingual comedy and social commentary.
He's appeared in various television shows, feature films, and has performed stand-up comedy internationally, including on the British panel show Mock the Week.
He lives in Cape Town with his wife and three children, and continues to work in the entertainment industry both locally and internationally.
Early life
{{Expand section|date=June 2022}}
Rabinowitz was raised on the farm Eagles Nest, in Constantia, Cape Town, to parents Jenifer (a former architecture student and interior designer) and [https://www.facebook.com/hymrabinowitz/ potter] Hym Rabinowitz.
He grew up in a secular Jewish family {{Cite news |date=22 Jan 2014 |title=No holy cows for Nik Rabinowitz |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/no-holy-cows-for-nik-rabinowitz-20150429 |work=News24}}{{Cite web |last=Rabinowitz |first=Nik |date=2021-12-22 |title=‘Remember your angina pills’ and other life lessons from my father: Hym Rabinowitz |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-12-22-remember-your-angina-pills-and-other-life-lessons-from-my-father-hym-rabinowitz/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawGao6FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHckK-DYk0eeSsZKlShfnKphpO5sW4wCeLQku0RrIM-MYByJdFbu0XMnyQw_aem_4ZCCKpcy6LDOBcJXI_14zA#Echobox=1640196796 |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Hyme Rabinowitz |url=https://pottery.co.za/news/memorial/hyme-rabinowitz/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=Pottery / Ceramics |language=en-GB}} and learned to speak isiXhosa growing up on the farm,{{cite news |title=Rabinowitz's career |url=http://www.ermcorporate.com/corporate-entertainment/mcs/nik-rabinowitz.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213194118/http://www.ermcorporate.com/corporate-entertainment/mcs/nik-rabinowitz.html |archive-date=2009-12-13 |website=Ermcorporate.com}} where he developed the multilingual abilities that would later become a distinctive feature of his comedy.
Rabinowitz initially attended a Waldorf School, later moving to Grove Primary and matriculating at Westerford High, before graduating from the University of Cape Town (1999) with a Bachelor of Business Science (Hons in Organisational Psychology).
Career
Comedy
Rabinowitz began his comedy career in the early 2000s, quickly establishing himself in the South African comedy scene. His comedy often draws on his Jewish heritage, his observations of South African society, and his ability to mimic various South African accents and languages. His multilingual capabilities, especially his fluency in isiXhosa, have become a notable aspect of his performances.
One man specials include:
- Pension Killer (2024)
- Rambunctious (2023)
- Unmuted (2022)
- Late Bloomer (2019)
- Dry White (2018)
- Fortyfied (2016)
- Power Struggle (2016)
Acting
Beyond stand-up comedy, Rabinowitz has appeared in several films and TV productions:
- Just Now Jeffrey (2024) - Narrator & Moshik
- The Shakedown (2024) - Horse Racing Commentator
- Tali's Baby Diary (2021) - Auctioneer
- Material (2012) - Dave Gold
- Khumba (2013) - Frikkie/Percy
- I Now Pronounce You Black and White (2010) - Twasa
- The Deal (2008) - Lead Carpenter
Radio, TV and Internet
- Former host of Cape Talk and Talk Radio 702's The Week that Wasn't with presenter Redi Thlabi
- Voice actor for ZA News (a satirical puppet show) where he voiced in excess of 25 characters.
- He currently hosts the sports podcast [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgP-acWfQA3p-iKIZWlHLqcdFUZ3EoZMe Banter with the Boys] with former Springbok rugby players Jean de Villiers, Schalk Burger and former Proteas cricketer Christopher Morris.
Writing
In early 2012, Rabinowitz published his first book (co-authored with Gillian Breslin) entitled "[https://www.amazon.co.za/Books-Nik-Rabinowitz/s?rh=n%3A27124358031%2Cp_27%3ANik%2BRabinowitz South Africa: Long Walk to a Free Ride]", a satirical look at contemporary South African society.
Style and Themes
Rabinowitz's comedy frequently explores South African identity, politics, and cultural differences. He is known for his ability to navigate sensitive social issues through humor and has been praised for his unique perspective on South African society. His comedy often challenges stereotypes while highlighting the absurdities of life in post-apartheid South Africa. As a Jewish comedian who speaks English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa, Rabinowitz occupies a unique space in South African comedy, using his cross-cultural experiences to bridge divides through humour.
Filmography
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Just Now Jeffrey | Adult Jeffrey (Narrator) / Moshik | {{Cite web |last=Krost |first=Peta |date=2024-04-18 |title=Just Now Jeffrey feels like right now – and very Jewish |url=https://www.sajr.co.za/just-now-jeffrey-feels-like-right-now-and-very-jewish/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=Jewish Report |language=en-ZA}} |
| 2021 | align="left" |Tail's baby diary | Auctioneer | |
| rowspan="2" |2014 | align="left" |Sophia Grace & Rosie's Royal Adventure | Emcee | |
| align="left" |Puppet Nation ZA | Numerous voices (including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Gareth Cliff, Victor Matfield, Ninja (Die Antwoord), Pieter De Villiers, Vladimir Putin, Bashir Al Assad, Patricia de Lille, Benni McCarthy, Carlos Perreira, Sepp Blatter, Danny Jordaan, The Pope, and Oscar Pistorius) | ||
| 2013 | align="left" |Khumba | Frikkie / Percy (voice) | |
| rowspan="3" |2012 | align="left" |Copposites | Terry de Kock
| | |
| align="left" |Adventures in Zambezia | Hurricanes (voice) | ||
| align="left" |Material | Dave Gold | ||
| 2010 | align="left" |I now pronounce you Black and White | The Twaza | |
| 2008 | align="left" |The Deal | Lead Carpenter |
{{cn|date=December 2023}}
Personal life
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name | 3371649 }}
- {{TVSA name|15409}}
- [http://www.entertainment-online.co.za/_nik_rabinowitz.html About Nik Rabinowitz]
- [http://www.myvideo.co.za/video/nik-rabinowitz-performs Rabinowitz performing live]
- [http://www.10minuteswith.co.za/index.php/interviews/456-nik-rabinowitz-interview Interview]
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Category:Male actors from Cape Town
Category:South African male comedians
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:21st-century comedians
Category:21st-century South African male actors
Category:University of Cape Town alumni
Category:Jewish male comedians