{{short description|South African comedian, actor and doctor (born 1976)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}} {{Infobox comedian | name = Riaad Moosa | image = riaad moosa 2020 1.jpg | image_size = | caption = Moosa in 2020 | pseudonym = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1977|6|18|df=y}} | birth_place = Western Cape, South Africa | death_date = | death_place = | medium = Stand-up, television, film | active = 1999–present | alma_mater = University of Cape Town | genre = Observational comedy, satire, impressions | subject = Islamic humour, Indian culture, racism, political humour, medical | influences = | influenced = | spouse = {{marriage|Farzanah Bemat|2003}} | domesticpartner = | notable_work = Material, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (film) | signature = | website = {{URL|www.riaadmoosa.co.za/}} | footnotes = | module = }}
'''Riaad Moosa''' ({{langx|ur|رياض موسی}}; born 18 June 1977) is a South African comedian, actor and doctor.
==Early life== Moosa grew up in Grassy Park and has three siblings. He attended South Peninsula High School until 1994. His sister is a doctor, his Indian-born father is an orthopaedic surgeon, his Cape Town-born Malay mother is a GP.<ref name="thesouthafrican">{{cite news|last=Gray|first=Marianne|url=http://www.thesouthafrican.com/entertainment/comedy-doctor-riaad-moosa-has-the-remedy-for-sas-ills.htm|title=Comedy doctor Riaad Moosa has the remedy for SA's ills|publisher=The South African.com|date=9 October 2012|access-date=1 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130412000819/http://www.thesouthafrican.com/entertainment/comedy-doctor-riaad-moosa-has-the-remedy-for-sas-ills.htm|archive-date=12 April 2013}}</ref><ref name="timeslive">{{cite news |last=Boshomane|first=Pearl|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/entertainment/movies/2012/02/13/riaad-moosa-talks-about-material-and-changing-muslim-misconceptions|title=Riaad Moosa talks about 'Material' and changing Muslim misconceptions |publisher=Times Lives|date=13 February 2012|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref> Since he was a child, he wanted to do medicine.<ref name="cnn">{{cite news|last=Curnow|first=Robyn|url=http://www.cnn.co.uk/2012/11/13/world/africa/riaad-moosa-south-africa/index.html|title=Comic talks Muslim humor and Islamophobia|publisher=CNN|date=13 November 2012|access-date=1 March 2013|archive-date=15 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315033844/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/13/world/africa/riaad-moosa-south-africa/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Moosa spent three years training in magic<ref name="thesouthafrican"/> and became a silver medallion graduate of the College of Magic in Cape Town. He started his comedy career as a comedy magician<ref name="famousfaces">{{cite web|url=http://www.famousfaces.co.za/ArtistPrint.aspx/Id/585/Riaad_Moosa/Active/Entertainer_Comedy_Solo/Facilitator_or_Chairperson/MC/MC_Celebrity/MC_Entertainer/MC_Golf_Days/hide|title=Riaad Moosa|publisher=Famous Faces|access-date=1 March 2013|archive-date=26 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726074936/http://www.famousfaces.co.za/ArtistPrint.aspx/Id/585/Riaad_Moosa/Active/Entertainer_Comedy_Solo/Facilitator_or_Chairperson/MC/MC_Celebrity/MC_Entertainer/MC_Golf_Days/hide|url-status=dead}}</ref> and he was presented with the Comedy Magic award at the Center for the Magical Arts in Cape Town. His future in magic was terminated when somebody doing flash photography illuminated the wire across the stage where his magic orb was floating.<ref name="thesouthafrican"/>
Moosa then spent six years training in medicine at University of Cape Town Medical School and did his internship in hospitals near Thokoza in Gauteng, at Groote Schuur and Khayelitsha in Cape Town.<ref name="thesouthafrican"/> In 2001, he graduated from UCT Medical School. He is a qualified medical doctor and GP.<ref name="comedycentralafrica1">{{cite news |url=http://www.comedycentralafrica.com/news/keeping-you-in-stitches/|title=Keeping You In Stitches: Presented by the Rondebosch Medical Centre & Comedy Central|publisher=Comedy Central Africa|date=24 October 2012|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref> He then worked for three years as a doctor.<ref name="youtube">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=793TtabjsJM|title=Keeping you in stitches with Riaad Moosa (9.11.2012)|publisher=ExpressoMobi|date=9 November 2012|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref>
==Stand-up career== Moosa started doing stand-up on campus during his fourth year at University of Cape Town.<ref name="thesouthafrican"/> He started performing stand-up at the Cape Comedy Collective's free Comedy Lab workshops, and just two months later, he was the winner of the "One City, Many Comics Talent Competition" held as part of the One City Festival in September 1999. He became a regular headliner on the comedy circuit during his first year, where he was also invited to perform on Pieter-Dirk Uys's ''Evita Live and Dangerous'' e.tv comedy show.<ref name="speakersinc">{{cite web |url=http://www.speakersinc.co.za/speakers-inc-speakers/comedians-humour/273-riaad-moosa.html|title=Riaad Moosa|publisher=Speakers Inc|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref> In 2000, he came to prominence on the comedy-club circuit in Cape Town.<ref name="cnn"/>
Moosa has starred in the Alex Jay 5FM ''Comedy Jams'' and Real Concert's ''Winston King Size Comedy Show'', headlining the ''Sprite Soul Comedy Jams'' in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. In 2001, he supported Marc Curry of ''Hanging with Mr. Cooper'' fame at the Durban Playhouse. In 2002, he supported Russell Peters in his show ''Made in India'' at the Luxurama theatre. In 2003, he performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, headlining in the Cape Comedy Collective – ''The new South Africa Stands Up'' production.<ref name="speakersinc"/>
His previous sold-out one-man shows include ''Strictly Halaal'' and ''Riaad Moosa for the Baracka'', and ''Three Wise Men and Three Wiser Men'', the hit comedy shows created by David Kramer.<ref name="comedycentralafrica1"/>
From September 2006 to March 2007,<ref name="speakersinc"/><ref name="ysa2012">{{cite news|url=http://ysa2012.mg.co.za/riaad-moosa/|title=Riaad Moosa|work=200 Young South Africans|location=Johannesburg|publisher=Mail & Guardian|year=2012|access-date=1 March 2013|archive-date=14 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714060604/http://ysa2012.mg.co.za/riaad-moosa/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Moosa had a schedule of sold-out one-man show runs like ''Strictly Halaal'' and ''Riaad Moosa for the Baracka'' in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town during its first run. Both shows prompted extended runs until May 2007,<ref name="comedians-south-africa">{{cite web|url=http://www.comedians-south-africa.co.za/_riaad_moosa.html|title=comedians-south-africa|publisher=Comedians South Africa|access-date=1 March 2013|archive-date=21 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821063326/http://www.comedians-south-africa.co.za/_riaad_moosa.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and were also released on DVD. In 2006, Moosa also appeared in the Heavyweight Comedy Jam in London. He was also featured at corporate events and media engagements.<ref name="quirkyhouse">{{cite web|url=http://www.quirkyhouse.co.za/riaad_moosa.php|title=Riaad Moosa – Strictly Halaal|publisher=Quirky House|access-date=1 March 2013|archive-date=11 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711004110/http://www.quirkyhouse.co.za/riaad_moosa.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2007, Riaad toured South Africa with the American Muslim comedy troupe, Allah Made Me Funny, doing the ''Make Love Not War'' show. South African Muslim comedian Halal Bilal performed with them on this, his first big tour since he started performing with Riaad a month before.<ref>{{cite web|last=Moosa|first=Riaad|title=Short Bio|url=https://www.riaadmoosa.co.za/public/about.php|access-date=16 April 2013}}</ref>
In 2008, Riaad appeared alongside Marc Lottering and Nik Rabinowitz, in the variety comedy show ''3 Wise Men'', directed by David Kramer.<ref name="speakersinc"/>
His stand-up comedy was included in the DVD for the ''Blacks Only'' comedy shows, along with other local comedians. He featured in the Anant Singh and John Vlismas produced comedy-collective feature film ''Outrageous'', which played at cinemas nationwide in 2009, and was released on DVD in April 2010.
In February 2010, Moosa was one of the headline acts along with other South African comedians (including Trevor Noah, David Kau, John Vlismas, Tumi Morake and Marc Lottering). He supported Eddie Izzard for the 46664 ''It's No Joke'' concert.<ref name="whacked">{{cite web|url=http://www.whacked.co.za/index.php/2012/february-2012/item/riaad-moosa|title=riaad moosa|publisher=Whacked|date=February 2012|access-date=1 March 2013}}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref name="5seasons">{{cite web|url=http://www.5seasons.co.za/artists/riaad-moosa/|title=Riaad Moosa|publisher=5seasons|access-date=1 March 2013|archive-date=6 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406034621/http://www.5seasons.co.za/artists/riaad-moosa/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In November 2012, he performed ''Keeping You in Stitches'' comedy show at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.<ref name="artlink">{{cite news |last=Ballim|first=Faeeza|url=http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=31386|title=Riaad Moosa and top comics for the CTICC|publisher=Artslink.co.za News|date=18 October 2012|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="entertainmentafrica">{{cite news |url=http://entertainmentafrica.mobi/movies/view/news/65209-Riaad-Moosa-to-host-Keeping-You-in-Stitches|title=Riaad Moosa to host Keeping You in Stitches|location=Cape Town|publisher=Entertainmentafrica Mobile|date=19 October 2012|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="capetownmagazine">{{cite news |url=https://www.capetownmagazine.com/events/Riaad-Moosa-comedy-show-in-Cape-Town/2012-11-17/11_37_54771|title=Splitting asides with Riaad|location=Cape Town|publisher=Cape Town Magazine|date=17 November 2012|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="comedycentralafrica2">{{cite news |url=http://www.comedycentralafrica.com/news/keeping-you-in-stitches-tickey-giveaway/|title=Keeping You In Stitches: Ticket giveaway!|publisher=Comedy Central Africa|date=7 November 2012|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref>
In October 2013, he started his ''Doctor's Orders'' tour in South Africa.<ref name="joburg">{{cite web |url=http://www.joburg.co.za/Templates/SoapBox.aspx?adId=35259&wpos=0&intId=&sv=icnnkgypgt2picr1hgsab3n2|title=Win Tickets to Riaad Moosa's "Doctor's Orders"!|publisher=Joburg.co.za|date=October 2013|access-date=1 December 2013}}</ref>
Moosa took part in South African national comedy tour, ''Just Funny Festival'', where he hosted Azhar Usman, Mo Amer and Preacher Moss (Allah Made Me Funny).<ref name="whatsonincapetown">{{cite web |url=http://www.whatsonincapetown.com/post/comedian-riaad-moosa/|title=Artist Info: Riaad Moosa|publisher=What's On in Cape Town|date= 14 June 2002|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref>
In January and February 2013, Moosa performed at the Baxter Theatre with a show called ''What's Next''. Later in the year, he went on his "Doctor's Orders Tour" throughout South Africa, Africa and the United Kingdom.<ref name="vocfm">{{cite news |url=http://www.vocfm.co.za/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=tag&tag=Riaad+Moosa&Itemid=123|title=Moosa back at Baxter|location=Cape Town|publisher=The Voice of Cape|date=3 February 2013|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref>
==Television career== Moosa is a regular presenter of a segment entitled ''The Second Opinion – with Dr Riaad Moosa'' on the E-News channel's satirical news programme ''Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola''. He has appeared in various TV and film productions.<ref name="5seasons"/> In 2002, he performed on ''Laugh Out Loud'', South Africa's largest stand-up comedy television show, where he joined nine of South Africa's top comics to raise half a million Rand for the Reach for a Dream foundation.<ref name="speakersinc"/> In 2004, he was also a writer and performer for SABC 1's ''Pure Monate Show''.
In February 2013, Moosa hosted ''Comedy Central Presents Riaad Moosa Live at Parker's'' on Comedy Central.<ref name="dstv">{{cite news |url=https://www.dstv.com/News/Comedy-Central-Presents-Live-at-Parker-s-hits-Cape-Town/29714|title=Riaad Moosa, Rob van Vuuren hit Comedy Central|publisher=DStv|date=29 November 2012|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref> In June 2013, he replaced Michael Mol on hosting SABC 3's ''The Dr Mol Show'' (originally titled ''Hello Doctor''). The show was subsequently renamed ''Doctor's Orders''.<ref name="channel244">{{cite news |last=Ferreira|first=Thinus|url=http://www.channel24.co.za/TV/News/Riaad-Moosa-replaces-Michael-Mol-20130606|title=Riaad Moosa replaces Michael Mol|publisher=Channel 24|date=6 June 2013|access-date=1 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="channel245">{{cite news|url=http://www.screenafrica.com/page/news/television/1629064-Doctor-s-orders-from-Riaad-Moosa|title=Doctor's orders from Riaad Moosa|publisher=Screen Africa|date=7 June 2013|access-date=1 December 2013|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924095704/http://www.screenafrica.com/page/news/television/1629064-Doctor-s-orders-from-Riaad-Moosa|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Acting career== In 2005, Moosa appeared in ''Crazy Monkey Straight Outta Benoni''.<ref name="comedians-south-africa"/><ref name="5seasons"/> In 2007, he also featured in the sequel ''Footskating 101''.
In 2012,<ref name="channel242">{{cite news |url=http://www.channel24.co.za/Movies/News/Riaad-Moosas-Material-gets-release-date-20111208|title=Riaad Moosa's Material gets release date|publisher=Channel 24|date=8 December 2011|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref> Moosa starred in the comedy film ''Material'', playing a young man who wants to be a comedian but his father disapproves.<ref name="channel241">{{cite news |last=Barodien|first=Shaheema|url=http://www.channel24.co.za/Movies/Features/Watch-Riaad-Moosa-heads-to-the-big-screen-20111110|title=Watch: Riaad Moosa heads to the big screen in Material|publisher=Channel 24|date=10 November 2011|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="news24">{{cite news |last=Barodien|first=Shaheema|url=http://m.news24.com/channel24/Movies/News/Riaad-Moosa-takes-Material-to-London-20120925|title=Riaad Moosa takes Material to London|work=News24|date=25 September 2012|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="suhaifa">{{cite news|last=Ballim|first=Faeeza|url=http://www.suhaifa.co.za/2011/12/locally-produced-movie-material.html|title=Locally produced movie, Material, inspired by Riaad Moosa|publisher=Live. Laugh. Love|date=14 December 2011|access-date=1 March 2013|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223237/http://www.suhaifa.co.za/2011/12/locally-produced-movie-material.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In October 2012, he went to the Busan International Film Festival in Seoul, South Korea where ''Material'' was shown,<ref name="channel243">{{cite news |last=Barodien|first=Shaheema|url=http://www.channel24.co.za/Movies/News/Riaad-Moosa-takes-Material-to-London-20120925|title=Riaad Moosa takes Material to London|publisher=Channel 24|date=25 September 2012|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref> In November 2012,<ref name="meetup">{{cite news |url=https://www.meetup.com/South-African-Muslims-in-London/events/84052712/|title=Who would like to join me for the Riaad Moosa movie playing in London – Material|publisher=Meetup|date=13 October 2012 |access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref> Moosa visited London, England to promote the film at the BFI London Film Festival.<ref name="cnn"/><ref name="filmcontact">{{cite news|url=http://www.filmcontact.com/south-africa/riaad-moosa-takes-material-london|title=Riaad Moosa takes Material to London|publisher=Film contact|date=26 September 2012|access-date=1 March 2013|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030503/http://www.filmcontact.com/south-africa/riaad-moosa-takes-material-london|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2013, he will be going to the Asian Film Festival in Goa.<ref name="youtube"/><ref name="mg.co.za">{{cite news |last=Ballim|first=Faeeza|url=https://mg.co.za/article/2012-11-12-splitting-asides-with-riaad|title=Splitting asides with Riaad|newspaper=The Observer|date=12 November 2012|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref>
In 2013, he played the role of former South African politician and political prisoner, Ahmed Kathrada in ''Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom'', an adaptation of Nelson Mandela's autobiography ''Long Walk to Freedom''.<ref name="ysa2012"/><ref name="guardian">{{cite news |last=Smith|first=David|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2012/aug/26/new-africa-south-africa-standup-comedian|title=New Africa: the doctor who became a standup comedian|newspaper=The Observer|date=26 August 2012|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref>
==Comedy style== Moosa uses comedy to tackle sensitive issues like Islamic stereotypes,<ref name="cnn"/> Islamophobia, racism and prolapsed hemorrhoids. His other subjects range from Bollywood to current politics to apartheid.<ref name="quirkyhouse"/> Moosa chooses not to use profanity and explicit vocabulary.<ref name="ysa2012"/>
==Awards== In March 2011, Moosa was awarded the Comics Choice Award at the first annual South African Comic's Choice Awards.<ref name="tvsa">{{cite web |url=http://tvsa.co.za/actorprofile.asp?actorID=13319|title=Riaad Moosa|publisher=TVSA|access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref> In 2012, he was nominated for the Comic's Choice Awards.<ref name="whacked"/> He won best actor at The South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA's) in 2013 for his role in Material which also won best picture.
==Personal life== On 12 January 2003, Moosa married businesswoman Farzanah Bemat. They live in Johannesburg, Gauteng with their three children, Zameer (born 2007) and Hanaa (born 2009).<ref name="thesouthafrican"/> and Mahir. Some of Moosa's comic material is inspired by his family.<ref name="ysa2012"/>
==See also== *Islamic humour *Islam in South Africa
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|https://www.riaadmoosa.co.za}} *{{IMDb name|id=1596318|name=Riaad Moosa}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Moosa, Riaad}} Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:South African Muslims Category:South African people of Malay descent Category:South African male comedians Category:South African impressionists (entertainers) Category:Muslim male comedians Category:Male comedians Category:Muslim comedians Category:Indian male film actors Category:South African male film actors Category:South African television presenters Category:21st-century South African medical doctors Category:Male actors from Cape Town Category:Alumni of South Peninsula High School Category:University of Cape Town alumni