{{short description|American stand-up comedian}} {{Infobox person | name = Aaron Aryanpur | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|40|2018|7|26}} <ref name=Art&Seek2018>{{cite news |last= Weeks |first= Jerome |date=2018-07-26 |title= Art & Seek Spotlight: Seriously Funny |url= https://artandseek.org/profiles/new-aaron-aryanpur/ |work=KERA (FM) |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref> | birth_place = Texas | alma_mater = University of Texas at Dallas | occupation = Stand-up comedian, graphic designer, voice actor | known_for = | years_active = 2002-present | children = 2 | website = {{URL|aaronaryanpur.com}} }} '''Aaron Aryanpur''' is an American stand-up comedian, artist, and voice actor from Dallas, Texas.
He has released two comedy albums on Stand Up! Records: 2016's ''In Spite Of'', which reached No. 10 on the Billboard comedy chart, and 2018's ''Employee of the Day''.
==Early life== Aryanpur was born in Texas; his father was a Persian immigrant, and his mother was Jewish.<ref name=CSIH2015/><ref name=Martin2014/><ref name= AryanpurBlog2015>{{cite web |url=http://aaronaryanpur.com/a-rabbi-walks-into-a-classroom/ |title=A Rabbi Walks Into a Classroom... |last=Aryanpur |first=Aaron |date=2015-02-19 |website=Aaron Aryanpur |publisher= |access-date=2021-08-28}}</ref> He grew up in the Texas towns of Denton, Palestine, and Plano, and graduated from Plano Senior High School.<ref name=Plano2018/><ref name=Art&Seek2018/><ref name=Observer20121228/><ref name=Martin2016>{{cite web |url= https://moonlady.com/review-aaron-aryanpur-backdoor-comedy-club-doubletree-hotel/ |title= Review: Aaron Aryanpur, Backdoor Comedy Club, Doubletree Hotel |last=Martin |first=Amy |date= August 1, 2016 |website=Amy Martin |publisher= |access-date=2021-08-28}}</ref> Growing up, he was a fan of comedians who addressed social issues, including George Carlin and Bill Hicks.<ref name=dallasnews2020>{{cite news |last= Than |first= Jennifer |date=2020-09-18 |title= Over half a year into the pandemic, North Texas comedians are adapting their material — and how they perform |url= https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/2020/09/18/over-half-a-year-into-the-pandemic-north-texas-comedians-are-adapting-their-material-and-how-they-perform/ |work=The Dallas Morning News |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref>
He studied graphic design at the University of Texas at Dallas, graduating in 2000. In 1998, he created the university's mascot Temoc, a flame-haired anthropomorphic comet originally named "Blaze."<ref name=UTD2020>{{cite news |last= Bangash |first= Emaan |date= May 25, 2020 |title= Temoc: the mascot, the mystery, the meme |url= https://utdmercury.com/temoc-the-mascot-the-mystery-the-meme/ |work= The Mercury |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref><ref name=UTDallasTemoc>{{cite web |url= https://development.utdallas.edu/faces/aaron-aryanpur/ |title=Faces of Impact: Aaron Aryanpur BA'00 |last= |first= |date= |website=The University of Texas at Dallas |publisher= |access-date=2021-08-28}}</ref>
==Career== ===Stand-up comedy=== Aryanpur first performed stand-up in 2002,<ref name=Observer20160729>{{cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Danny |date=2016-07-29 |title= The Unpredictability of Performing Stand-Up Helps Comedian Aaron Aryanpur Cope with Life |url= https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/the-unpredictability-of-performing-stand-up-helps-comedian-aaron-aryanpur-cope-with-life-8536968 |work=Dallas Observer |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref><ref name=Observer20201119>{{cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Danny |date=2020-11-19 |title= How Backdoor Comedy Club Became the Comedian's Comedy Club for Dallas |url= https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/how-backdoor-comedy-club-became-the-comedians-comedy-club-for-dallas-11957798 |work=Dallas Observer |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref> and became a full-time comic in 2013.<ref name=centraltrack_humor>{{cite news |last= Gaskin |first= Alex |date=2016-06-10 |title=Humor Us: Aaron Aryanpur Is As Comfortable Playing A Club As He Is At A Kids' Birthday Party |url= https://www.centraltrack.com/humor-us-5/ |work= Central Track |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref> His material is often about his family life as a father and husband. Jeremy Hallock of the Dallas Observer has noted that Aryanpur's style, typified by long-form stories with an "impeccable sense of rhythm", avoids the lack of edginess associated with family comedy by "capturing the anger and frustration that goes with the territory while making it hilarious".<ref name=Observer20150604/> He usually does not focus on his ethnicity in his comedy,<ref name=dallasnews2016/><ref name=Shreveport2015/> although he has stated that "One of the reasons I wanted to do stand-up at the beginning was to give voice to that [Iranian-American] part of myself."<ref name=Art&Seek2018/> Critic Amy Martin of TheaterJones has stated that Aryanpur's comedy gains an extra level due to his "ability to be serious. ... Audiences respond to the sense of coiled power and solid equilibrium. Aryanpur emanates a gravity that draws them in. ... Relaying his everyman frustrations with dry, precise humor, Aryanpur's thought-provoking observations convey clever wordplay and logical twists."<ref name=Martin2014/>
In 2002, he was invited by fellow comics Raj Sharma and Paul Varghese to join their Indians at the Improv tour, a first for Indian-American stand-ups.<ref name=KERA2015>{{cite news |last= Weeks |first= Jerome |date=2015-08-04 |title= They're At It Again: The Indians At The Improv Are Back |url= https://artandseek.org/2015/08/04/theyre-at-it-again-the-indians-at-the-improv-are-back/ |work=KERA (FM) |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref> Aryanpur himself is not Indian but of Iranian descent, but was invited because, as Aryanpur said jokingly in an interview, "they looked around for Indian comics and ran out after only two," but needed a third for the tour's theme to work. Varghese also joked to one interviewer that "I said, 'I know this Iranian guy, his name ends with -pur. Close enough.'"<ref name=Art&Seek2018/>
Aryanpur won the 2012 Funniest Comic in Texas contest.<ref name=Observer20121228>{{cite news |last=Leblanc |first=Jane R. |date=2012-12-28 |title= Aaron Aryanpur, Newly Crowned Funniest Comic in Texas, on Using Twitter, His Gallbladder in His Act |url= https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/aaron-aryanpur-newly-crowned-funniest-comic-in-texas-on-using-twitter-his-gallbladder-in-his-act-7083640 |work=Dallas Observer |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref><ref name=dallasnews2016>{{cite news |last=McCann |first=Mac |date=2016-07-28 |title= Local comedian Aaron Aryanpur releases first album 'In Spite Of' chaos |url= https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/things-to-do/2016/07/28/local-comedian-aaron-aryanpur-releases-first-album-in-spite-of-chaos/ |work= The Dallas Morning News |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref><ref name=WacoTrib2021>{{cite news |last= Hoover |first= Carl |date=2021-07-07 |title=SlapStix Comedy Club opens doors in Woodway |url= https://wacotrib.com/entertainment/night-life/slapstix-comedy-club-opens-doors-in-woodway/article_18a8dac0-deaf-11eb-b453-a35341863163.html |work=Waco Tribune-Herald |location=Waco, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref><ref name=WRLW2019>{{cite news |last= Norton |first= Jan |date=February 7, 2019 |title= Laughter the way to their hearts |url= https://whiterocklakeweekly.com/laughter-the-way-to-their-hearts/ |work=White Rock Lake Weekly |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref>
The Dallas Observer has frequently singled him out for praise, most notably by naming him the city's best comic in 2017.<ref name=Observer2017>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title= Best of Dallas 2017: Best Comedian: Aaron Aryanpur |url= https://www.dallasobserver.com/best-of/2017/arts-and-entertainment/best-comedian-9910669 |work=Dallas Observer |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref> It also included him in a list of "10 Dallas Comedians You Need to Know" in 2015,<ref name=Observer20150604>{{cite news |last=Hallock |first=Jeremy |date=2015-06-04 |title= 10 Dallas Comedians You Need to Know |url= https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/10-dallas-comedians-you-need-to-know-7287896 |work=Dallas Observer |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref> and profiled him in the "100 Dallas Creatives" series in 2014.<ref name=Observer20140806>{{cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Danny |date=2014-08-06 |title=100 Dallas Creatives: No. 73, Comic Artist Aaron Aryanpur |url= https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/100-dallas-creatives-no-73-comic-artist-aaron-aryanpur-7097198 |work=Dallas Observer |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref> The newspaper noted that his success has helped the city as a whole, saying "Aryanpur is one of the reasons why Dallas has a comedy scene."<ref name=Observer20150410/>
He was a semifinalist in Comedy Central's 2013 national Up Next Talent Search<ref name=Observer20130923>{{cite news |last=Leblanc |first=Jane R. |date=2013-09-23 |title= Comedy Central's Up Next Talent Search Crowns Addison Winner |url= https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/comedy-centrals-up-next-talent-search-crowns-addison-winner-7092198 |work=Dallas Observer |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref><ref name=Observer2017/> and NBC's Stand Up for Diversity.<ref name=PHP2021>{{cite news |last= Spera |first= Maddie |date= March 23, 2021 |title= Laugh it Up, Dallas! Comedians Counter Balance Corporate Culture |url= https://www.peoplenewspapers.com/2021/03/23/laugh-it-up-dallas-comedians-counter-balance-corporate-culture/ |work= Preston Hollow People |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref><ref name=Observer20150410/>
He has frequently performed on the Fox TV series ''Laughs''.<ref name=imdbAryanpur>{{IMDb name|id=6799991|name= Aaron Aryanpur}}</ref><ref name=LaughsUncut>{{cite web |url=https://www.owltail.com/podcast/A1EO0-Laughs-Uncut/best-episodes |title=Laughs Uncut |last= |first= |date= |website=Owltail |publisher= |access-date=2021-08-28}}</ref><ref name=Observer20140731>{{cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Danny |date=2014-07-31 |title= Stand-Ups Josh Johnson and Aaron Aryanpur Will Be on Fox's Laughs (and How Aryanpur Almost Lost His Big Shot) |url= https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/stand-ups-josh-johnson-and-aaron-aryanpur-will-be-on-foxs-laughs-and-how-aryanpur-almost-lost-his-big-shot-7093824 |work=Dallas Observer |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref><ref name=Shreveport2015/><ref name=Art&Seek2018/><ref name=Observer20150410/>
He tours frequently in clubs across the U.S., cruise ships,<ref name=Observer20180510>{{cite news |last=Lacour |first=Brad |date=2018-05-10 |title= A Comedian, Magician and Musician Explain Cruise Ship Gigs Aren't Where Performers Go to Die |url= https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/dallas-aaron-aryanpur-trigg-watson-and-kj-gray-tell-us-about-their-cruise-ship-performing-experiences-10672154 |work=Dallas Observer |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref> and comedy festivals<ref name=Observer2017/> including South by Southwest,<ref name=Observer20150410>{{cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Danny |date=2015-04-10 |title= Comedian Aaron Aryanpur Will Record His First Live Album at Hyena's |url= https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/comedian-aaron-aryanpur-will-record-his-first-live-album-at-hyenas-7182005 |work=Dallas Observer |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref> Gilda's LaughFest in Grand Rapids, Michigan,<ref name="Fox17_2016">{{cite news |last= Brenzing |first=Bob |date=2016-03-11 |title= LaughFest Comedian Aaron Aryanpur |url= https://www.fox17online.com/2016/03/11/laughfest-comedian-aaron-aryanpur/ |work=WXMI-TV |location=Grand Rapids, Michigan |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref> Dallas Comedy Festival,<ref name=FGW2017>{{cite web |url= https://filmsgonewild.com/festival-news-the-2017-dallas-comedy-festival-unveils-ambitious-lineup-of-local-and-national-talent-headlined-by-snls-jon-rudnitsky-jake-nordwind-and-the-improvised-shakespeare-company-2/ |title= FESTIVAL NEWS: The 2017 Dallas Comedy Festival unveils ambitious lineup of local and national talent headlined by SNL's Jon Rudnitsky, Jake Nordwind, and The Improvised Shakespeare Company |last= |first= |date=2017-03-02 |website=Films Gone Wild |publisher= |access-date=2021-08-28}}</ref> Moontower Comedy and Oddity Festival,<ref name= Moontower2012>{{cite web |url= https://www.comedymoontower.com/new-additions-to-hilarious-moontower-lineup-mary-lynn-rajskub-moshe-kasher-chris-cubas-more/ |title= New Additions to Hilarious Moontower Lineup |last= |first= |date= February 6, 2012 |website= Moontower Comedy News |publisher= |access-date= 2021-08-28 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and the Plano Comedy Festival.<ref name=Plano2018>{{cite news |last= Reisner |first= Amy |date= May 29, 2018 |title= Inaugural Plano Comedy Festival |url= https://planomagazine.com/inaugural-plano-comedy-festival/ |work= Plano Magazine |location=Plano, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref><ref name=Observer20180608>{{cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Danny |date=2018-06-08 |title= Plano Comedy Festival Rolls Out This Weekend Despite Some Venue Issues |url= https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/plano-comedy-festival-features-aaron-aryanpur-dan-danzy-and-other-dallas-comics-10766097 |work=Dallas Observer |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref> He has been featured on Comedy Central Radio.<ref name=Shreveport2015>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2015-01-22 |title=Aryanpur headlines Bonkerz |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/115437714/ |page=C5 |work=The Times |location=Shreveport, Louisiana |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref><ref name=centraltrack_humor/>
After opening for Maz Jobrani's Axis of Evil Comedy Tour, Aryanpur became a co-host of Jobrani's fatherhood podcast ''Minivan Men'' in 2013.<ref name=Martin2014/><ref name=MinivanMen>{{cite web |url= https://allthingscomedy.com/podcast/minivan-men |title=Minivan Men |last= |first= |date= |website=All Things Comedy |publisher= |access-date=2021-08-28}}</ref><ref name=Shreveport2015/>
Aryanpur also teaches stand-up.<ref name=Observer20180601>{{cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Danny |date=2018-06-01 |title= Stomping Ground Comedy Theater Preps for Opening After a Year of Anticipation |url= https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/dallas-nonprofit-stomping-ground-comedy-theater-preps-for-opening-10746602 |work=Dallas Observer |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref>
===Albums=== Aryanpur has released two comedy albums on Stand Up! Records.
His 2016 debut ''In Spite Of'' reached No. 10 on the Billboard comedy chart August 10, 2016,<ref name=billboard_aryanpur>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/music/aaron-aryanpur |title=Aaron Aryanpur |last= |first= |date= |magazine=Billboard |publisher= |access-date=2021-08-28}}</ref> and No. 1 on the iTunes comedy chart.<ref name=centraltrack_spite>{{cite news |last= Graves |first= Cory |date=2016-08-01 |title=The Spite Is Right |url= https://www.centraltrack.com/the-spite-is-right/ |work= Central Track |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref><ref name=Observer2017/> ''In Spite Of'' is a live recording of a set at Hyena's Comedy Club in Dallas in 2015.<ref name=centraltrack_spite/><ref name=Observer20160729/><ref name = AMInSpiteOf/><ref name=Observer20150410/>
His 2018 album ''Employee of the Day'' is an exploration of fatherhood from both sides, juxtaposing Aryanpur's life with his children and his father, who died shortly after the recording of the album.<ref name=Observer20180530>{{cite news |last=Lacour |first=Brad |date=2018-05-30 |title= Dallas Comedian Aaron Aryanpur Releases His Second Album, a Love Letter to His Dad |url= https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/dallas-comedian-aaron-aryanpur-releases-employee-of-the-day-his-second-album-10740083 |work=Dallas Observer |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref> Richard Lanoie of The Serious Comedy Site called ''Employee'' "excellent through and through" and that Aryanpur was "immediately likable."<ref name= Lanoie2018>{{cite web |url= https://theseriouscomedysite.com/comedy-cd-or-download/employee-of-the-day-aaron-aryanpur/ |title= Employee of the Day – Aaron Aryanpur |last=Lanoie |first=Richard |date= June 24, 2018 |website= The Serious Comedy Site |publisher= |access-date=2021-08-28}}</ref> The album cover features Aryanpur's own illustration.<ref name=Art&Seek2018/>
===Other work=== His cartooning work includes the strips ''Next Window Please'',<ref name=Observer20180530/><ref name=NWP>{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/next_window_please_comic/ |title=Next Window Please |last=Aryanpur |first=Aaron |date= |website=Instagram |publisher= |access-date=2021-08-28}}</ref> and ''Bite the Bullet''.<ref name=centraltrack_bitethebullet>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Bite the Bullet: Problefanatic |url= https://www.centraltrack.com/bite-the-bullet-problefanatic/ |work=Central Track |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref> He often draws caricatures of other comedians.<ref name=CSIH2015>{{cite web |url=https://comedysceneinhouston.com/2015/08/27/meeting-jon-lovitz/ |title=Meeting Jon Lovitz |last=Aryanpur |first=Jon |date=2015-08-27 |website=Comedy Scene In Houston |publisher= |access-date=2021-09-23}}</ref> He has also created posters for comics including J.T. Habersaat and Eddie Pepitone.<ref name="Breckening2021">{{cite podcast |url= https://brianbreckenridge.podbean.com/e/interview-with-aaron-aryanpur/ |title= Interview with Aaron Aryanpur |website= The Breckening Podcast |publisher= |host=Brian Breckenridge |date= July 16, 2021 |time= |access-date=2021-08-28 }}</ref> He has worked in the advertising industry as a creative director.<ref name=Martin2014/>
His voice work includes the video games ''Paladins: Champions of the Realm'' and ''Smite''.<ref name=imdbAryanpur/>
==Personal life== He is married and has two sons.<ref name=Martin2014>{{cite web |url= https://moonlady.com/aaron-aryanpur-funny-guy-lucky-man/ |title= Aaron Aryanpur: Funny Guy, Lucky Man |last=Martin |first=Amy |date= February 12, 2014 |website=Amy Martin |publisher= |access-date=2021-09-23}}</ref>
==Discography== *Aaron Aryanpur, ''In Spite Of'' (Stand Up! Records, 2016)<ref name = AMInSpiteOf>{{AllMusic |class= |id=in-spite-of-mw0003020217 |tab= |title=In Spite Of |last= |first= |author= |access-date= 2021-09-16}}</ref> *Aaron Aryanpur, ''Employee of the Day'' (Stand Up! Records, 2018)
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://aaronaryanpur.com/ Official Aaron Aryanpur website] *[https://standuprecords.com/collections/aaron-aryanpur Aaron Aryanpur at Stand Up! Records website] *{{IMDb name|id=6799991|name= Aaron Aryanpur}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aryanpur, Aaron}} Category:American stand-up comedians Category:Living people Category:Comedians from Dallas Category:American male comedians Category:21st-century American comedians Category:Stand Up! Records artists Category:American people of Iranian descent Category:American people of Jewish descent Category:Year of birth missing (living people)