Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah was born on 20 February 1984 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is a comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host. From 2015 to 2022, he hosted *The Daily Show*, a satirical news program on Comedy Central. His awards include two Primetime Emmys. *The Hollywood Reporter* named him one of the 35 most powerful people in New York media in both 2017 and 2018, and *Time* magazine listed him among the 100 most influential people in the world in 2018.

Noah started his career in South Africa in 2008. He hosted several shows for the South African Broadcasting Corporation and was runner-up on the fourth season of that country’s *Strictly Come Dancing* in 2008. From 2010 to 2011, he created and hosted the late-night talk show *Tonight with Trevor Noah* on M-Net and DStv. In 2014, he became a senior international correspondent for *The Daily Show*, and the following year he replaced Jon Stewart as host. His autobiographical book, *Born a Crime*, came out in 2016. He hosted the Grammy Awards for six straight years, from 2021 to 2026, and also hosted the 2022 White House Correspondents Dinner.

Noah was born in Johannesburg to a Swiss-German father, Robert, and a Xhosa mother, Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah. Under apartheid, his mother was classified as Black, his father as White, and Noah himself as Coloured. Because interracial relationships were illegal at the time, his birth was a crime—a fact he highlights in his book. The Immorality Act was amended in 1985, a year after his birth, decriminalizing such unions. He was raised by his mother and grandmother, Nomalizo Frances Noah, in the Soweto township. He attended Maryvale College, a private Roman Catholic school in a Johannesburg suburb. Growing up in a multicultural, devoutly Christian household, he also participated in Jewish traditions, including a bar mitzvah at age 13.

In 2002, Noah appeared in a small role on the South African soap opera *Isidingo*. He later hosted his own radio show, *Noah’s Ark*, on YFM. At 21, friends dared him to perform comedy at a nightclub; he told stories about his life and friends, and the set led to regular club performances. He left radio and acting to focus on comedy, performing alongside South African comedians like Kagiso Lediga and Riaad Moosa, and international acts such as Paul Rodriguez and Gabriel Iglesias. He hosted the educational show *Run the Adventure* (2004–2006) on SABC 2, the gossip show *The Real Goboza* (2007), and the sports show *Siyadlala* (2007). In 2008, he co-hosted *The Amazing Date* and competed on *Strictly Come Dancing*. He hosted the 2009 SAFTAs and co-hosted *The Axe Sweet Life* in 2009. In 2010, he hosted the South African Music Awards and *Tonight with Trevor Noah*, and became a spokesperson for Cell C. His South African stand-up specials include *The Daywalker* (2009), *Crazy Normal* (2011), *That’s Racist* (2012), and *It’s My Culture* (2013).

Noah moved to the United States in 2011. In January 2012, he became the first South African stand-up to appear on *The Tonight Show*, and in May 2013, the first on *Late Show with David Letterman*. The 2012 documentary *You Laugh But It’s True* focused on him. That year, he performed *Trevor Noah: The Racist* at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to sold-out crowds. In 2012, he served as Roastmaster for a Comedy Central roast of Steve Hofmeyr. In 2013, he performed the special *Trevor Noah: African American*. He appeared on BBC’s *QI* in October 2013 and on *8 Out of 10 Cats* in November 2013, and on *8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown* in September 2014.

In December 2014, Noah became a recurring contributor on *The Daily Show*. Comedy Central announced in March 2015 that he would succeed Jon Stewart; he began hosting on 28 September 2015. After the announcement, some of his past Twitter jokes drew online attention.