Mo Amer

{{short description|Palestinian American comedian}} {{Other people5|Mohamed Amer (disambiguation){{!}}Mohamed Amer}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}} {{Infobox comedian | name = Mo Amer | image = Mo Amer.jpg | caption = Amer in 2016 | pseudonym = Mo, Mohammed Najjar | birth_name = Mohammed Mustafa Amer | native_name = {{nobold|محمد عامر}} | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|07|24}} | birth_place = Kuwait | death_date = | death_place = | medium = {{hlist | Stand-up | television | film }} | nationality = | active = 1999–present | genre = {{hlist | Observational comedy | satire | self-deprecation | storytelling | improv | character comedy }} | subject = {{hlist | Islamic humour | Islamophobia | Political satire | Family | Marriage | Racism | American immigration | Refugees }} | spouse = | domesticpartner = | children = 1 | notable_work = | signature = | website = {{URL|https://moamer.com/}} | footnotes = | module = |native_name_lang=ar}}

'''Mohammed Mustafa Amer''' ({{langx|ar| محمد مصطفى عامر}}; born July 24, 1981) is a Palestinian-American stand-up comedian and actor. He is known for his Netflix comedy special ''Mo Amer: The Vagabond'' and as a member of the comedy trio Allah Made Me Funny. Amer also appeared in the Hulu sitcom ''Ramy'' (2019-2022) where he played the character Mo, Ramy's cousin who owns a diner. Additionally, he created and stars in the Netflix series ''Mo'', released in August 2022, which is loosely based on his real life experience as a Palestinian refugee. The same year, he appeared in the film ''Black Adam''. Amer also hosted the 2023 season of Doha Debates' flagship series, filmed in Qatar's Education City.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://dohanews.co/netflix-star-mo-amer-to-host-new-doha-debates-programme/|title=Netflix Star Mo Amer to host new Doha Debates Programme|date=19 January 2023|newspaper=Doha News}}</ref>

== Early life == Mohammed Mustafa Amer is Palestinian and the youngest of six children.<ref name="thecinemagirl">{{cite news|last=Donadoni |first=Serena |url=http://thecinemagirl.com/reviews/a/allah.htm |title=Comedy With a Mission |work=Dispatches |publisher=The Cinema Girl |year=2008 |accessdate=September 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830195853/http://thecinemagirl.com/reviews/a/allah.htm |archive-date=August 30, 2011 }}</ref> His father worked as an engineer for the Kuwait Oil Company.<ref name="washingtontimes">{{cite news |last1=Althoff|first1=Eric|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/29/mo-amer-kuwaiti-comedian-to-record-legally-homeles/?page=all|title=Arab-American comedian breaks down stereotypes|location=Washington|newspaper=The Washington Times|date=April 29, 2015|accessdate=September 1, 2015}}</ref> Amer attended a British school in Kuwait, where he learned British English.

At age 9, Amer, with his siblings and mother, fled Kuwait during the Gulf War and immigrated to the United States, settling in Houston, Texas. He was placed in an ESL class despite already being proficient in English.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |last=Khan|first=Yasmeen|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/mar/27/mo-amer-arab-american-standup-texas|title=Mo Amer: an Arab-American standup in Texas|newspaper=The Guardian|date=March 27, 2009|access-date=January 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name="comedysceneinhouston">{{cite news |last=Bahmani|first=Al|url=http://www.comedysceneinhouston.com/2012/12/31/mo-amer-comic-ambassador-2/|title=Mo Amer: Comic Ambassador|location=Houston|publisher=Comedy Scene in Houston|date=December 31, 2012|accessdate=April 1, 2013}}</ref>

In 1992, Amer's father, a telecom engineer, joined the family in the United States. Amer attended Piney Point Elementary School. One of his brothers became a pilot, and another earned a PhD in biochemistry.<ref name="culturecatch">{{cite news|last=Judell|first=Brandon|url=http://www.culturecatch.com/film/allah-made-me-funny|title=Getting Jocular with Muslims|publisher=Spiritual Practice|date=October 4, 2008|accessdate=November 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622192754/http://www.culturecatch.com/film/allah-made-me-funny|archive-date=June 22, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Amer's father died in 1995 when Amer was 14 years old, leading to a period of academic struggles. A teacher later encouraged him to pursue comedy as an outlet for his grief.<ref name="guardian" />

== Career ==

=== Beginning of career === When he was 10 years old, Amer attended a Bill Cosby performance at the Houston Astrodome,<ref name="washingtontimes" /> and four years later, he discovered stand-up comedy at a Texas rodeo.<ref name="cbsnews">{{cite news |last1=Dahler|first1=Don|last2=Zingaro|first2=Dina|last3=Banerji|first3=Suvro|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/arab-american-comedian-breaks-down-stereotypes/|title=Arab-American comedian breaks down stereotypes|publisher=CBS News|date=August 1, 2015|accessdate=September 1, 2015}}</ref><ref name="observerchronicle">{{cite news|url=http://www.observerchronicle.com/breaking/arab-american-comedian-breaks-down-stereotypes/33102/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304224711/http://www.observerchronicle.com/breaking/arab-american-comedian-breaks-down-stereotypes/33102/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2016|title=Arab-American comedian breaks down stereotypes|publisher=Observer Chronicle|date=August 2, 2015|accessdate=September 1, 2015}}</ref> After his father's death, Amer struggled academically; an English teacher encouraged him to perform a monologue from Shakespeare in exchange for extra credit. This evolved into a regular comedy routine in front of his class, where he would tell jokes about the subject they were studying.<ref name="washingtontimes" /> The same English teacher encouraged him to participate in his high school's theater productions and eventually start performing stand-up comedy by impersonating family members.<ref name="legallyhomeless">{{cite web |url=http://www.legallyhomeless.com/html/bio.html|title=Biography|publisher=Legally Homeless :: Trials of a Refugee|accessdate=September 9, 2011}}</ref><ref name="rooftopcomedy">{{cite web|url=http://www.rooftopcomedy.com/comics/MoAmer|title=Mo Amer|publisher=Rooftop Comedy|accessdate=January 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322013502/http://www.rooftopcomedy.com/comics/MoAmer|archive-date=March 22, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="neon-entertainment">{{cite web|url=http://www.neon-entertainment.com/Neon/Comedian-Mo-Amer.html|title=Comedian-Mo-Amer|publisher=Neon Entertainment|accessdate=January 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718034242/http://www.neon-entertainment.com/Neon/Comedian-Mo-Amer.html|archive-date=July 18, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Amer refined his comedic skills at Houston's comedy clubs while working at a flag manufacturing company.<ref name="washingtontimes" /><ref name="GPU08">{{cite web|url=http://www.theglobalunity.com/08/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115&Itemid=248|title=Performers|publisher=Global Peace and Unity Event 2008|date=October 2008|accessdate=September 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914112119/http://www.theglobalunity.com/08/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115&Itemid=248|archive-date=September 14, 2010|url-status=dead}} Mo Amer</ref>

=== Standup === In June 1999, Amer participated in Houston's Funniest Person Contest and reached the finals.<ref name="comedysceneinhouston" /> He was then directed to The Comedy Showcase, where the owner, Danny Martinez, mentored him in stand-up comedy.<ref name="campusactivitiesmagazine">{{cite news |url=http://www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com/articles.php?articleID=201204234|title=Mo Amer|publisher=Campus Activities Magazine|date=April 2012|accessdate=January 1, 2012}}</ref> By age 19, Amer was performing for U.S. troops stationed abroad, becoming one of the first Arab-American refugee comedians to do so.<ref name="muslimfest">{{cite web |url=http://www.muslimfest.com/muslim_artists_friends/mo-amer/|title=Biography|publisher=MuslimFest|accessdate=January 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name="guardian" />

In 2004, he performed at The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas.<ref name="legallyhomeless" /><ref name="rooftopcomedy" /> Starting in 2006, along with Preacher Moss and Azhar Usman, Amer travelled the country for the Allah Made Me Funny tour.<ref name="allahmademefunny">{{cite web |title=Performers |url=http://www.allahmademefunny.com/about/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930093019/http://www.allahmademefunny.com/about/index.html |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |accessdate=August 28, 2011 |publisher=Allah Made Me Funny}} Mo Amer</ref> He has also made appearances at the Islamic Relief Evening of Inspiration at the Royal Albert Hall in 2007<ref name="maniacmuslim">{{cite web |date=February 26, 2007 |title=Evening of Inspiration 2007 Flyer |url=http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GXXSWa4Wwfc/ReLOwLoT-LI/AAAAAAAAAM8/5oohTC_aYa8/s1600-h/Evening+of+Inspiration+2007+-+Flyer.JPG |accessdate=November 1, 2013 |publisher=Islamic Relief}}</ref><ref name="awakeningnews">{{cite web |title=News Concert Schedule 2006–07 |url=http://www.awakening.org/entertainment/news/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327055608/http://www.awakening.org/entertainment/news/index.htm |archive-date=March 27, 2012 |accessdate=November 1, 2013 |publisher=Awakening Entertainment}}</ref> and the Global Peace and Unity event in London in 2008.<ref name="GPU08" /><ref name="moamer">{{cite web |title=Biography |url=http://www.moamer.net/bio |accessdate=August 28, 2011 |publisher=Mo Amer's Official Website}}</ref>

Amer has since performed in over 27 countries across five continents. His comedy has been featured in sold-out shows worldwide, including venues such as Royal Albert Hall, Hammersmith Apollo, and Shrine Auditorium.<ref name="muslimfest" /> He has also appeared on television and radio, including NPR, BBC, and CNN, and has been interviewed by major media outlets like ''The New York Times'', ''Rolling Stone'', and ''The Guardian''.<ref name="muslimfest" /> Amer was also featured on "Al-Bernameg with Bassem Youssef," the Egyptian equivalent of ''The Daily Show''.<ref name="aquila-style">{{cite news |url=http://www.aquila-style.com/wief-marketplace-of-creative-arts/performance-arts/mocafest-alumni-spotlight-comedian-mo-amer/105413/|title=MOCAfest Alumni Spotlight: Comedian Mo Amer|publisher=Aquila Style|date=July 21, 2015|accessdate=September 1, 2015}}</ref>

In 2015, Amer began touring with Dave Chappelle and eventually recorded his one-hour special, ''Legally Homeless'', at the Warner Theatre, becoming one of the first Arab-Americans to have a nationally televised stand-up special.<ref name="washingtontimes" /><ref name="cbsnews" /><ref name="observerchronicle" /><ref name="onislam">{{cite news |url=http://www.onislam.net/english/news/americas/491005-us-comedian-prophet-had-great-sense-of-humor.html|title=US Comedian: Prophet Had Great Sense of Humor|publisher=OnIslam|date=August 2, 2015|accessdate=September 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010080505/http://onislam.net/english/news/americas/491005-us-comedian-prophet-had-great-sense-of-humor.html|archive-date=October 10, 2015}}</ref><ref name="timesunion">{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Steve |date=October 4, 2015 |title=Review: Dave Chappelle @ Palace Theatre, 10/4/15 |url=http://blog.timesunion.com/localarts/review-dave-chappelle-palace-theatre-10415/39377/ |accessdate=February 3, 2016 |newspaper=Times Union |location=Albany, New York}}</ref> The special's title reflects Amer's experiences navigating multiple cultures without a passport. ''Legally Homeless'' includes appearances by comedians such as Azhar Usman, Bassem Youssef, Hasan Minhaj, and Ramy Youssef.<ref name="broadwayworld2">{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwcomedy/article/Palestinian-American-Comic-Mo-Amer-to-Bring-LEGALLY-HOMELESS-to-DC-53-20150403-page2|title=Palestinian-American Comic Mo Amer to Bring LEGALLY HOMELESS to D.C., 5/3|website=Broadway World|date=April 3, 2015|page=2|accessdate=September 1, 2015}}</ref><ref name="aquila-style" />

In March 2017, Amer made his U.S. network television debut on ''The Late Show with Stephen Colbert''.<ref name="cbspressexpress">{{cite news |date=March 3, 2017 |title=UPCOMING GUESTS ON "THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT," 3/3-3/10 |url=https://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/shows/the-late-show-with-stephen-colbert/releases/view?id=47237 |accessdate=March 6, 2017 |publisher=CBS Press Express}}</ref> Amer filmed his first Netflix comedy special,<ref>{{Cite news |title=MO AMER on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/realmoamer/status/1012472220113752064 |access-date=July 1, 2018 |work=Twitter}}</ref> ''Mo Amer: The Vagabond'', which was released in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mo Amer: The Vagabond |url=https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80239503 |accessdate=July 11, 2020 |website=Netflix Official Site |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, his second Netflix special ''Mo Amer: Mohammed'' ''in Texas'' was released on Netflix. It has a Rotten Tomatoes audiences score of 96%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mo Amer: Mohammed in Texas {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mo_amer_mohammed_in_texas |access-date=2025-12-28 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 2025, Amer participated in the Riyadh Comedy Festival, an event hosted in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-25 |title=All Your Favorite Sellouts Will Be At The Riyadh Comedy Festival {{!}} Defector |url=https://defector.com/all-your-favorite-sellouts-will-be-at-the-riyadh-comedy-festival |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=defector.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-25 |title=Riyadh Comedy Festival: Mo Amer and Jack Whitehall join the list |url=https://www.timeoutriyadh.com/news/riyadh-comedy-festival-2025 |access-date=2025-09-29 |language=en-US}}</ref> The festival was criticized by Human Rights Watch, which characterized the event as an attempt by the Saudi government to whitewash its human rights abuses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeFrank |first=Daren |date=2025-09-27 |title=Riyadh Comedy Festival Draws Fire Over Human Rights Watch Condemnation, Pete Davidson and Bill Burr Set to Perform |url=https://www.thewrap.com/riyadh-comedy-festival-draws-fire-over-human-rights-watch-condemnation/ |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-23 |title=Saudi Arabia: Riyadh Comedy Festival Whitewashes Abuses {{!}} Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/09/23/saudi-arabia-riyadh-comedy-festival-whitewashes-abuses |access-date=2025-09-29 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Film and television === In 2018, Amer joined the cast of the Hulu show ''Ramy.'' In the series, Amer plays Ramy's cousin Mo, who owns a diner where many of the show's characters gather. Amer has co-written an original feature screenplay with filmmaker Iman Zawahry and Azhar Usman.<ref name="muslimfest" />

In 2022, Amer created, starred in, and directed some episodes of the Netflix series ''Mo'', which is loosely based on his experiences as a Palestinian refugee.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.npr.org/2022/08/23/1118770031/mo-amer-netflix-series-refugee-experience |title= Mohammed Amer's new series explores the tragedy and comedy in the refugee experience |access-date=August 23, 2022}}</ref> The show received widespread acclaim and won several awards, including a Peabody Award. It was renewed for a second season.<ref>{{cite web | title='Mo' Season 2 (Final Season) Will Debut on Netflix in January 2025 | date=December 4, 2024 | url=https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/mo-season-2-final-season-will-debut-on-netflix-in-january-2025/ }}</ref> That same year, Amer starred in the DC film ''Black Adam'' alongside Dwayne Johnson and was named 2022 UAE GQ Man of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mo Amer {{!}} Speaking Fee, Booking Agent, & Contact Info {{!}} CAA Speakers |url=https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/mo-amer/ |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=Mo Amer {{!}} Speaking Fee, Booking Agent, & Contact Info {{!}} CAA Speakers}}</ref>

Season 2 of ''Mo'' was released in January 2025, to "widespread acclaim" is one of "Netflix's most celebrated comedies", and was called "Essential Viewing" by Mashable.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Connellan |first=Shannon |date=2025-01-30 |title='Mo' Season 2 review: Here's why it's still one of TV's most important shows |url=https://mashable.com/article/mo-season-2-review-netflix |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=Mashable |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Bella |date=2025-02-03 |title=A Netflix Comedy Series Just Achieved A Rare Rotten Tomatoes Feat With Its Second Season |url=https://screenrant.com/mo-season-2-netflix-show-rotten-tomatoes/ |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> Both seasons of the show have a 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Bella |date=2025-02-03 |title=A Netflix Comedy Series Just Achieved A Rare Rotten Tomatoes Feat With Its Second Season |url=https://screenrant.com/mo-season-2-netflix-show-rotten-tomatoes/ |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>

== Comedy style == Amer draws from his ethnic and family background to discuss issues related to religion, terrorism, and contemporary politics, using personal stories about his family and himself.<ref name="muslimfest" /> He often addresses his Palestinian heritage,<ref name="spiritualityandpractice">{{cite news |last1=Brussat|first1=Frederic|last2=Brussat|first2=Mary Ann|url=http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/films.php?id=18449|title=Film Review: Allah Made Me Funny: Live in Concert|publisher=Spiritual Practice|accessdate=November 1, 2013}}</ref> family experiences, and growing up in America.<ref name="seattletimes">{{cite news |last=Fry|first=Ted|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/html/movies/2008223159_mr03allah.html|title="Allah Made Me Funny": Stand-ups riff on being Muslim in America|work=The Seattle Times|date=October 3, 2008|accessdate=November 1, 2013}}</ref>

== Personal life == Amer lives in Los Angeles and is divorced. He has a son.<ref name="laffspot">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9UakVVr_Tg|title=Mohammed "Mo" Amer @ Laff spot|publisher=Mohammed Amer|date=March 25, 2010|accessdate=March 1, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Joseph |date=2022-08-23 |title=Mo Amer Got Divorced During the Pandemic, and Now He's Opening Up About It |url=https://www.distractify.com/p/mo-amer-married |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=Distractify |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2009, Amer became a U.S. citizen, allowing him to travel to Jordan to visit family he had not seen for almost 20 years.<ref name="comedysceneinhouston" /> He also returned to Kuwait and Baghdad for the first time since his family fled.<ref name="guardian" />

In October 2023, Amer signed an open letter for the "Artists4Ceasefire" campaign, along with other artists, urging President Joe Biden to advocate for a ceasefire during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2023/10/21/1207783685/celebrities-letter-ceasefire-israel-gaza-biden|title=Entertainment industry A-listers sign a letter to Biden urging a cease-fire in Gaza|last=Veltman|first=Chloe|date=October 21, 2023|work=NPR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021195237/https://www.npr.org/2023/10/21/1207783685/celebrities-letter-ceasefire-israel-gaza-biden|archive-date=October 21, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=April 23, 2024}}</ref>

==Filmography== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Role !scope="col"| Notes |- ! scope="row"| 2021 | ''Americanish'' | Zane | |- ! scope="row"| 2022 | ''Black Adam'' | Karim | |- ! scope="row" | 2024 | ''Sweet Dreams'' | Pete | |}

===Television=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Role !scope="col"| Notes |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 2018 | ''Crashing'' | Himself | Episode: "Porter Got HBO" |- | ''Mo Amer: The Vagabond'' | Himself | Netflix Comedy Special |- ! scope="row" | 2019–2022 | ''Ramy'' | Mo | Main role |- ! scope="row"|2021 | ''Mo Amer: Mohammed in Texas'' | Himself | Netflix Comedy Special |- ! scope="row"| 2022–2025 | ''Mo'' | Mo Najjar | Also creator |- ! scope="row"| 2025 | ''Mo Amer: Wild World'' | Himself | Netflix Comedy Special |}

==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Association ! Category ! Nominated work ! Result ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | 2022 | Gotham Awards | Breakthrough Series — Short Form | ''Mo'' |{{won}} ! style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|title='Everything Everywhere All At Once' Wins Best Feature at Gotham Awards|date=November 28, 2022|url=https://variety.com/2022/awards/entertainment-industry/gotham-awards-2022-winners-list-1235442875/|publisher=Variety}}</ref> |- | 2023 | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series | ''Mo'' |{{nom}} ! style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|title=Film Independent Spirit Award TV Nominations: 'Abbott Elementary,' 'The Bear,' 'Severance,' 'Station Eleven' Lead|date=December 13, 2022|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/independent-spirit-awards-2023-tv-nominations-list-nominees-1235281061/|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> |- | 2023 | Peabody Awards | Entertainment | ''Mo'' |{{won}} ! style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|title=Peabody Awards: 'Abbott Elementary,' 'Andor,' 'Severance' and 'We're Here' Among Winners|date=May 9, 2023|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2023-peabody-awards-winnners-1235482343//|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> |}

== See also == *Palestinian Americans *Palestinian diaspora *List of American Muslims *Ramy Youssef

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == *{{Official website}} *{{IMDb name|id=3112453|name=Mohammed Amer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Amer, Mohammed}} Category:21st-century American comedians Category:American comedians of Asian descent Category:Muslims from Texas Category:Palestinian Muslims Category:Palestinian emigrants to the United States Category:American stand-up comedians Category:Muslim male comedians Category:Male comedians Category:Muslim comedians Category:Writers from Los Angeles Category:Writers from Houston Category:Allah Made Me Funny Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:Comedians from Houston