{{Short description|Malaysian comedian (born 1983)}} {{Malay name|Nabil|Ahmad}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox person | honorific-prefix = | name = <!-- use common name/article title --> | image = Nabil Ahmad Anugerah MeleTOP Era 2016 PROMO.jpg | image_size = 200px | alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> | caption = Nabil in a promotion for ''Anugerah MeleTOP Era'' in 2016 | birth_name = Ahmad Nabil bin Ahmad | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|09|26|df=y}} | birth_place = Mambau, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (DEATH date then BIRTH date) --> | death_place = | other_names = | occupation = * Comedian * Actor * Host Television * Radio Presenter * Film Director * Writer * Producer | years_active = 2008–present | known_for = | employer = * Star Media Radio Group (2012) * Astro Radio (2013–present) | notable_works = | spouse = {{marriage|Nazirah Ayoub|2011}} | children = 3 <!-- Please do not added his children's name because they're not notable. --> }}
'''Nabil Ahmad''' (born 26 September 1983) is a Malaysian entertainer, comedian and actor. He worked as a motorcycle courier before winning the 2008 season of comedy competition ''Raja Lawak''. Nabil has since won an award for hosting multiple television programs, beginning with ''MeleTOP'' in 2012, which he still hosts. He further expanded his roles by becoming a producer in 2017, and a film writer and director in 2018.
== Early life == Ahmad Nabil Ahmad was born on 26 September 1983, in Mambau, the capital of the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.<ref name="Nabil Raja Lawak">{{cite news |last1=Mokhtazar |first1=Syahirah |title=Funny faith: Nabil Raja Lawak returns as host of new Islamic reality show, Ceria I-Star |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/10/179991/funny-faith-nabil-raja-lawak-returns-host-new-islamic-reality-show-ceria-i-star |accessdate=2 November 2020 |work=New Straits Times |date=13 October 2016 }}</ref><ref name="Chua">{{cite news |last1=Chua |first1=Dennis |title=#Showbiz: Leave MeleTop? No way, says host Nabil Ahmad |url=https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2018/05/372114/showbiz-leave-meletop-no-way-says-host-nabil-ahmad |accessdate=2 November 2020 |work=New Straits Times |date=22 May 2018 }}</ref>
In 2008, Nabil was working as a motorcycle courier in the small town of Mambau, earning RM600 (about US$143) a month, when he was transferred to Kuala Lumpur for work. As a prank, the friend he was staying with signed him up for an audition for ''Raja Lawak'' (''King of Comedy''), a Malaysian television reality show that searches for comedic talent.<ref name="SalamWebToday">{{cite news |title=Nabil Ahmad, Mr. Funnyman |url=https://today.salamweb.com/nabil-ahmad-mr-funnyman/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026012651/https://today.salamweb.com/nabil-ahmad-mr-funnyman/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=26 October 2020 |accessdate=2 November 2020 |work=SalamWebToday |date=21 October 2019}}</ref> Nabil did not have access to satellite television at his previous home, so was not familiar with the show, but tried out anyway.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yeoh |first1=Angelin |title=From 'Raja Lawak' to 'Uncle Grandpa', Nabil Ahmad is a stand-up guy |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/entertainment/2014/08/13/hes-the-standup-guy |accessdate=6 November 2020 |work=The Star |date=13 August 2014}}</ref>
== Entertainment career == [[File:Neelofa and Nabil Ahmad on MeleTOP episode 100.jpg|right|thumb|Neelofa and Nabil on ''MeleTOP'' episode 100 in 2014]] After several weeks of competition, Nabil won the second season of ''Raja Lawak'', which brought him to prominence as a comedian. Due to this victory he is sometimes known as "Nabil Raja Lawak".<ref name="Nabil Raja Lawak"/> As an actor, Nabil played roles in the comedy films ''Pisau Cukur'' (2009), and ''Berani Punya Budak'' (2012) as well as in the later dramas ''Geng Bas Sekolah'' (2013) and ''Bila Kau Datang'' (2015).<ref name="Nabil Raja Lawak"/>
From comedy, Nabil gradually transitioned to hosting television shows. He says that being a comedian involves a lot of pressure, being "expected to go up on stage and make people laugh immediately. ... with hosting I am much more relaxed, and everything feels less pressured.... But it allows me to still show my funny side by inserting jokes here and there."<ref name="SalamWebToday"/>
His first hosting position, which he still holds, was entertainment talk show ''MeleTOP'', in 2012. This was joined by music competition ''Gegar Vaganza'', in 2014, both aired on Astro Ria.<ref name="Nabil Raja Lawak"/><ref name="SalamWebToday"/> He was the original host of ''MeleTOP'', along with female co-host Neelofa, and remained hosting the show when she left in 2019.<ref name="Adieu">{{cite news |last1=Alhamzah |first1=Tahir |title=#Showbiz: 'I have to let go of one in order to acquire another' – Neelofa bids adieu to MeleTOP |url=https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2019/12/544507/showbiz-i-have-let-go-one-order-acquire-another-%E2%80%93-neelofa-bids-adieu |accessdate=16 October 2020 |work=New Straits Times |date=4 December 2019 }} Also available as {{cite news |last1=Alhamzah |first1=Tahir |title=#Showbiz: 'I have to let go of one in order to acquire another' – Neelofa bids adieu to MeleTOP |url=https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/national/supernumbershowbiz-i-have-to-let-go-of-one-in-order-to-acquire-another-%e2%80%93-neelofa-bids-adieu-to-meletop/ar-BBXHWeo |accessdate=16 October 2020 |work=MSN |issue=3 December 2019}}</ref> He says he has been told he is synonymous with ''MeleTOP''.<ref name="Chua"/> He has also hosted episodes of the related annual entertainment awards show ''Anugerah MeleTOP Era''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chalil |first1=Melanie |title=Astro awards show Anugerah Meletop Era to be first Malaysian live show broadcast in 4K UHD |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/showbiz/2020/03/04/astro-awards-show-anugerah-meletop-era-to-be-first-malaysian-live-show-broa/1843236 |accessdate=2 November 2020 |work=Malay Mail |date=4 March 2020 }}</ref>
In 2015 Nabil became host of ''HBO Sentral'', a monthly program showcasing HBO Asia programs, taking over from Lisa Surihani.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nabil Ahmad is the new host of HBO Sentral |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/entertainment/2015/04/07/nabil-ahmad-is-the-new-host-of-hbo-sentral-2 |accessdate=2 November 2020 |work=The Star |date=7 April 2015}}</ref> In 2016, Nabil became co-host of children's Islamic reality competition show, ''Ceria I-Star'', on Astro Ceria, alongside Ustaz Yeop.<ref name="Nabil Raja Lawak"/> In 2017, HBO sent him to Hollywood to interview stars during the 89th Academy Awards.<ref name="SalamWebToday"/> In 2018, he was awarded the Best Entertainment Presenter/Host at the Asian Academy Creative Awards in Cannes, France.<ref name="SalamWebToday"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Nabil awarded 'best host in Asia' |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/10/20/nabil-awarded-best-host-in-asia |accessdate=2 November 2020 |work=The Star |date=20 October 2018}}</ref>
In 2017, Nabil began to look for business opportunities outside of personally entertaining, so as not to depend on that as a sole source of income. He set up an entertainment production company which has produced television series and a film.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Alhamzah |first1=Tahir |title=#Showbiz: Nabil Ahmad to quit showbiz?|url=https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2018/10/417983/showbiz-nabil-ahmad-quit-showbiz |accessdate=2 November 2020 |work=New Straits Times |date=4 October 2018 }}</ref> In 2018, Nabil wrote his first made-for-television film, ''The Hantus'', a Malaysian horror comedy film wherein he co-directed with Helmi Yusof, thus marking his directorial debut, which was released on June 15, 2018 under KMN Production.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2018/06/385339/showbiz-nabils-challenges-producing-his-first-telemovie|title=#Showbiz: Nabil's challenges in producing his first telemovie|author=Syahirah Mokhtazar|publisher=New Straits Times|date=29 June 2018|accessdate=24 November 2018}}</ref> Filming began mostly in Kuala Lumpur, Gombak and Genting Highlands.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/entertainment/2018/06/26/nabil-ahmad-hantus-ghosts|title=In Nabil Ahmad's The Hantus, the ghosts just have fun|author=Angelin Yeoh|work=The Star Online|date=26 June 2018|accessdate=24 November 2018}}</ref> In 2019 he added a YouTube channel called Lupk TV.<ref name="SalamWebToday"/>
== Personal life == In 2011, Nabil married former AirAsia stewardess, Zira Ayoub.<ref name="Nabil Raja Lawak"/> As of 2020, they have three daughters.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mohamad |first1=Zaidi |title=Nabil negatif ujian COVID-19 |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/hiburan/selebriti/2020/10/739496/nabil-negatif-ujian-covid-19 |accessdate=2 November 2020 |work=Berita Harian |date=7 October 2020 }}</ref>
His entertainment success came with only limited financial security. During the 2020 Malaysia movement control order, he supported many friends from his hometown in Negeri Sembilan who had lost jobs so were worse off than he was,<ref>{{cite news |title=Comedian serious about helping jobless friends |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/07/25/comedian-serious-about-helping-jobless-friends |accessdate=2 November 2020 |work=The Star |date=25 July 2020}}</ref> and says he was quite grateful for the government moratorium on debts that he otherwise would not have been able to pay off, due to canceled activities and job offers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chua |first1=Dennis |title=#Showbiz: Nabil thankful MCO moratorium 'saved' him from rising debts |url=https://www.msn.com/en-my/entertainment/celebrity/showbiz-nabil-thankful-mco-moratorium-saved-him-from-rising-debts/ar-BB188n5G |accessdate=2 November 2020 |work=MSN |date=19 August 2020}} Also available as {{cite news |last1=Chua |first1=Dennis |title=#Showbiz: Nabil thankful MCO moratorium 'saved' him from rising debts|url=https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2020/08/617801/showbiz-nabil-thankful-mco-moratorium-saved-him-rising-debts |accessdate=2 November 2020 |work=New Straits Times |date=19 August 2020 }}</ref>
== Filmography ==
=== Film === {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | rowspan="4"|2009 | ''Sifu & Tongga'' | Tongga | |- | ''Jin Notti'' | Pusher | |- | ''Momok The Movie'' | Jefri | |- | ''Pisau Cukur'' | Host/Erique | |- | rowspan="3"|2010 | ''Lu Pikirkan Sendiri de Movie'' | Nabil | |- | ''Kecoh Betul'' | Aiman | |- | ''Magika'' | Orang Minyak | |- | rowspan="6"|2012 | ''Bujang Terlajak'' | Nabil | |- | ''Berani Punya Budak'' | Adik John | |- | ''Uncle Usin'' | Uncle Usin | |- | ''Cinta Beruang'' | Nabu | |- | ''Untuk Tiga Hari'' | | |- | ''Pontianak vs Orang Minyak'' | Ponti | |- | 2013 | ''Lawak Ke Der 2'' | | |- | 2015 | ''Romeo Kota'' | Detective Fakhrul | |- | 2016 | ''Bo-Peng'' | Bo | |- | 2021 | ''Mat Bond Malaya'' | Nabil | Also as director, writer and producer |- | 2023 | ''Syaitan Munafik'' | | |}
=== Television series === {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! TV channel ! Notes |- | rowspan="2"|2009 | ''Nabil & Co.'' | Nabil | TV3 | |- | ''Sonata Labu Labi The Series'' | Labu | Astro Warna | |- | 2010 | ''Kuih Goyang Syafiq'' | Syafiq | rowspan="2"|TV3 | |- | 2011 | ''You Saka... Pergi Jauh-Jauh'' | Adrus | |- | 2012 | ''Oh My English!'' (Season 1) | Abang Nabil | Astro TVIQ | Episode: "Kelas 3 Merah Cungkil Bakat!" |- | rowspan="4"|2013 | ''Geng Bas Sekolah'' | | Astro Ceria | |- | ''Mak Lang Datang Kompang Bergendang'' | Fitri | rowspan="3"|TV3 | |- | ''Rumah Kedai'' | Roslan | |- | ''Goyang Syafiq... Jom Pi Cuti'' | Syafiq | |- | 2014 | ''Cakap Melayulah'' | Daud | rowspan="2"|Astro Warna | |- | 2017 | ''Bas Stop'' | | Also as producer |- |}
=== Telemovie === {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! TV channel ! Notes |- | rowspan="2"|2009 | ''Sonata Labu Labi'' | Labu | Astro Prima | |- | ''Kuih Goyang Seha'' | Syafiq | rowspan="2"|TV3 | |- | 2012 | ''Asmara Pontianak K-POP'' | Ejal | |- | 2013 | ''Kain, Jarum & Gunting'' | Fauzi | Astro Warna | |- | rowspan="2"|2014 | ''Nangnok'' | Ali | Astro Ria | |- | ''Strawberi Karipap Sesat Kat Paris'' | Uncle Faris | Astro First Exclusive | |- | 2015 | ''Bila Kau Datang'' | Arman | Astro Ria | |- | 2018 | ''The Hantus'' | {{mdash}} | rowspan="3"|Astro First Exclusive | rowspan="3"|Also as director |- | rowspan="2"|2019 | ''“Dato” S'' | {{mdash}} |- | ''Gostan'' | {{mdash}} |- |}
=== Theater === {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title |- | 2012 | ''Lawak Ke Der'' |- |}
==Radiography==
===Radio=== {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Station |- | 5 January – 29 November 2012 | ''Breakfast@Suria'' | Suria |- | February 2013 – present | ''Carta Era 40, Era D'Boyz, Rancak Sabtu Era & 3 Pagi Era'' | Era |- |}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century Malaysian male actors Category:Malaysian comedians Category:Malaysian infotainers Category:Malaysian television presenters Category:Malaysian businesspeople Category:Malaysian radio announcers Category:People from Negeri Sembilan