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John Achkar (Arabic: جون أشقر; born November 10, 1990) is a Lebanese stand-up comedian, entrepreneur, and television host. Based in Beirut, Lebanon, and Dubai, UAE, Achkar is known for his comedic takes on topics such as race, marriage, culture, and work life. He has performed internationally, including in Europe, Australia, North America, and the GCC region, gaining a following among the Lebanese diaspora. In addition to his comedy career, Achkar is the founder of [https://everythink.me Everythink], a family business focusing on sustainable and innovative products.{{cite web |title=About John Achkar |url=https://www.johnachkar.com/content |access-date=2024-12-23}}

{{Infobox person

| name = John Achkar

| native_name = جون أشقر

| image = GEO7847_2.jpg

| caption = John Achkar performing live

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|11|10}}

| birth_place = Araya, Lebanon

| nationality = Lebanese

| education = Université Saint Joseph de Beyrouth, Sciences Po, IE Business School, Singapore Management University (B.S., M.A., MBA)

| occupation = Comedian, entrepreneur

}}

Achkar was born on November 10, 1990, in Araya, Lebanon. He attended Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Saint Joseph University of Beirut. He pursued a Master of Arts in History and International Relations at Sciences Po through the Erasmus Programme. He also completed an MBA from IE Business School and Singapore Management University.

While at university, Achkar became involved in student politics and served on the board of the student government. He first explored comedy during a fundraising event organized by the Scouts of Lebanon.{{cite news |last=Khoder |first=Patrick |title=John Achkar, « Maronite, divorcé et vacciné » |url=https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1314426/john-achkar-maronite-divorce-et-vaccine-.html |access-date=2024-12-23 |publisher=L'Orient-Le Jour}}

Achkar began his stand-up comedy career in 2019, performing at local venues in Beirut during the 17 October Revolution. His work addressed social and political challenges in Lebanon, resonating with audiences through humor rooted in everyday struggles.{{cite news |last=Hoffner |first=Anne-Bénédicte |title=Portrait: John Achkar, ce consultant et comédien beyrouthin presque trentenaire s’est démultiplié après l’explosion qui a ravagé le port de Beyrouth le 4 août |url=https://www.la-croix.com/Monde/Liban-John-Achkar-revolution-reconstruction-2020-10-12-1201119005 |access-date=2024-12-23 |publisher=La Croix}}

He gained prominence through Stand Up Baladi, Lebanon’s first Arabic-language stand-up series, and appeared in Stand Up Ya Arab! on OSN.{{cite web |title=Stand Up Ya Arab |url=https://osnplus.com/en-iq/series/stand-up-ya-arab-10851 |publisher=OSN+ |access-date=2024-12-23}} In 2023, his performance at the Dubai Comedy Festival brought him wider recognition, with media coverage highlighting his viral sets.{{cite news |last=Amalvy |first=Remi |title=John Achkar, l’entrepreneur le plus drôle du Liban |url=https://icibeyrouth.com/articles/251234/john-achkar-lentrepreneur-le-plus-drole-du-liban |access-date=2024-12-24 |publisher=Ici Beyrouth}}

His comedy special, Shou Zakeh?!, toured in over 50 cities across Europe, the GCC, and North America.{{cite news |last=Amalvy |first=Remi |title=John Achkar, l’entrepreneur le plus drôle du Liban |url=https://icibeyrouth.com/articles/251234/john-achkar-lentrepreneur-le-plus-drole-du-liban |access-date=2024-12-24 |publisher=Ici Beyrouth}}

In 2023, Achkar debuted Tar El Waet, a satirical program on LBCI Lebanon. The show combines humor with current events and features notable guests from various fields.

Achkar is the founder of [https://everythink.me Everythink], a company that creates culturally relevant games and stationery products. The business adapts popular games like Monopoly and Cards Against Humanity for Lebanese audiences while developing original Lebanese-themed products. He has been featured in media outlets discussing his company’s innovative approach to design and cultural representation.{{cite news |title=Entrepreneurship in Lebanon: John Achkar’s Story |url=https://icibeyrouth.com/articles/251234 |publisher=Ici Beyrouth |access-date=2024-12-23}}

Achkar has been active in raising awareness about social and political issues in Lebanon. Following the 2020 Beirut explosion, he collaborated with NGOs to support small businesses. During the 2023 Israel–Lebanon conflict, he used his platform to highlight issues faced by displaced Lebanese citizens and foster dialogue between the diaspora and those in Lebanon.{{cite news |title=Confessions in Times of War: John Achkar |url=https://www.agendaculturel.com/articles/confessions-in-times-of-war-john-achkar |publisher=Agenda Culturel |access-date=2024-12-24}}