Harith Iskander

Last updated

Harith Iskander
Harith Iskander interviewed by MeleTOP.jpg
Iskander interviewed by MeleTOP during the Kuala Lumpur International Comedy Fest press conference on 15 September 2015.
Born
Harith Iskander bin Musa

(1966-08-07) 7 August 1966 (age 56)
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Alma mater Curtin University
Occupation(s)Actor, comedian, television host, director, writer
Years active1990–present
Notable workAh-ha
Baik Punya Cilok
Buli Balik
Komediri
Lawak Ke Der
Obviously Harith Iskander
Funniest Person in the World 2016
Spouse
Jezamine Lim
(m. 2010)
Children3
Website harithiskander.com

Harith Iskander bin Musa (born 7 August 1966) is a Malaysian actor and comedian. He is considered to be "the Godfather of Stand-Up Comedy" in Malaysia, [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] having also won the Asia's Best Stand-Up Comedian Award 2014 by Top 10 of Asia Magazine. [6] [7] [8]

Contents

He won the Funniest Person in the World competition in December 2016. [9]

Early life

Iskander was raised in Johor Bahru in the state of Johore. [10] His father, Musa Ibrahim hailed from the state and was of Malay descent. His mother, Jane Musa was of Scottish ancestry from the Grant clan, working in the United Nations Headquarters in New York City as a secretary. [11] They both met in the Democratic Republic of Congo during the Congo Crisis, Musa being a member of the peacekeeping corps sent by the Malaysian government there while Jane worked as part of the UN staff. [11]

He attended Curtin University in Perth, Australia, majoring in journalism and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English. He graduated in 1988 [3] [12]

During his university and young adult days, Iskander made a conscious decision to embrace Australian culture while he was an international student despite his aversion to study. [3] For example, his curiosity led him to trying the sport of cricket. [1] [3] On another occasion, Iskander described a time where he entered an adult shop in Australia after arriving from Malaysia, only to find out that the shop was full of Malaysian students. [1] [3]

Career

Iskander's career in stand-up comedy began during 1990 or 1991, when he was persuaded by a university friend to get on stage in the old Subang Airport Hotel lobby lounge to tell some funny stories. [4] [5] It was at this lounge where a member of the audience saw Iskander and invited him to another function to perform on-stage.

In 2016, Iskander was one of 89 international stand-up comedians nominated for Laugh Factory's Funniest Person in the World. [13] Iskander has been announced as an ambassador for Culture and Tourism Malaysia by Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz (Tourism and Culture Minister) as he is now one of the attraction in Malaysia. [14]

After being crowned as the Laugh Factory's Funniest Person in the World in 2016, in 2017, Iskander curated the Kuala Lumpur International Comedy Festival (KLICFest 2017) which considered by many to be Asia's best comedy showcase. [15] The festival programme featured performances from the finest Malaysian acts, the biggest international stars and one local legend offering both English and Bahasa Malaysia comedy.

Thereafter the kick-off show (KLICFest) in Kuala Lumpur, in 2018, Harith Iskander, in partnership with Celcom, had tour his home ground again to deliver the laughs – the #KitaOK Live Comedy Tour 2018. The tour started off in Kuala Lumpur before showing at six other cities in Malaysia: including Johor, Malacca, Penang, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Labuan. [16] Harith Iskander also succeeded in putting Malaysia on the comedy map the second time by releasing his Netflix original comedy special, I Told You So in 2018. [17]

Apart from that in 2018, Harith held his Australia tour named Harith Iskander The Tour - Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2018, Adelaide Fringe 2018 and Perth Fringe 2018. Besides, Harith tickled the audiences in the City Of Angels (Los Angeles) in June 2017 where the organizer was The Laugh Factory. [18]

Comedic philosophy

Iskander's view of comedy is that the best comedians are the most authentic comedians; that is to say, a good comedian does not become someone they are not just because they are on a stage. [4] Iskander describes his comedy as 'totally observational and personal', filled with personal experience. [5] He describes himself as 'not a shock comedian', but one who has his own 'personal barriers'; for example, one area in which he 'treads carefully' is the subject matter of politics. [4] He notes that Malaysian comedy tends to be 'casually racist' sometimes. [5]

Iskander's source of jokes come from everywhere around him [12] and he is an advocate of cross-border relations between Singaporean and Malaysian comedians. [4]

Personal life

On 12 June 2010, Iskander married doctor and FHM model Jezamine Lim after meeting her through Facebook. [19]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1992SelubungBrother Musa
1997Hanya KawanHarithAlso as director and writer
1999 Anna and the King Nikorn
2004 Sepet Abah
2005Baik Punya CilokInspector Roslan
2006Buli BalikDr. Kam
Gubra Abah
2008 Cuci David
2009 Talentime Harith
2010Aku Tak BodohBag Store BossCameo appearance
2022 Kongsi Raya Rahim
Spilt Gravy on RiceCo-pilot "Angel"
Ada Hantu 2HosSpecial appearance

Television

YearTitleTV channelRoleNotes
1991–1999, 2007Jangan Ketawa [8] TV3
NTV7
1998Kugiran TV3 BenTelemovie
2004–2005Ah-Ha [8] TV3 Also as director
2007Thursday Night Live [8] NTV7 Himself, as talk show host
2009–2010 Phua Chu Kang Sdn Bhd NTV7,
Mediacorp Channel 5
Izzy
RojakPaul
2012–2016Lawak Ke Der! Astro Warna Himself
2015KomediriHimself
2016Obviously Harith Iskander Astro Awani Himself, as talk show host
2017Celebrity Car Wars Season 2 History HD Himself/participant
2018I Told You So Netflix Himself

Other appearances

Iskander has also appeared in various comedy sittings such as The Kings and Queens of Comedy Asia [5] and the Best of Comedy Malaysia at Lower Town Hall, Melbourne. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kuala Lumpur</span> Federal territory and capital city of Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, officially the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and colloquially referred to as KL, is a federal territory and the ceremonial, legislative and judicial capital city of Malaysia. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Asia and the largest city in Malaysia, covering an area of 243 km2 (94 sq mi) with a census population of 1,982,112 as of 2020. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.564 million people as of 2018. It is among the fastest growing metropolitan regions in Southeast Asia, both in population and economic development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lat (cartoonist)</span> Malaysian cartoonist

Datuk Mohammad Nor bin Mohammad Khalid, more commonly known as Lat, is a Malaysian cartoonist. Winner of the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in 2002, Lat has published more than 20 volumes of cartoons since he was 13 years old. His works mostly illustrate Malaysia's social and political scenes, portraying them in a comedic light without bias. Lat's best known work is The Kampung Boy (1979), which has been published in several countries across the world. In 1994, the Sultan of Perak bestowed the honorific title of datuk on Lat, in recognition of the cartoonist's work in helping to promote social harmony and understanding through his cartoons. Lat also works for the government to improve the city's social security.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P. Ramlee</span> Malaysian singer, scriptwriter, actor, songwriter, and film director (1929–1973)

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Teuku Zakaria bin Teuku Nyak Puteh, better known by his stage name P. Ramlee, was a Malaysian actor, filmmaker, musician, and composer famous in both modern-day Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Southern Thailand. Due to his contributions to the film and music industry and his literary work, which began with his acting debut in Singapore in 1948, to the height of his career and then later in Malaysia in 1964 to his decline and death, he is regarded as a prominent icon of Malay entertainment. His popularity has reached as far as Brunei, Indonesia, as well as in Hong Kong and Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stadium Merdeka</span> Multi-purpose stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Stadium Merdeka is a stadium based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is known as the site of the formal declaration of independence of the Federation of Malaya on 31 August 1957. The stadium is also the site of the proclamation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Klang War</span> Conflict in Selangor, Malaysia (1867–1874)

The Klang War or Selangor Civil War was a series of conflicts that lasted from 1867 to 1874 in the Malay state of Selangor in the Malay Peninsula.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sultan of Selangor</span> Function and history of the Selangor State Ruler

Sultan of Selangor is the title of the constitutional ruler of Selangor, Malaysia who is the head of state and head of the Islamic religion in Selangor. The current monarch, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah ascended the throne on the death of his father, on 22 November 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Axiata Arena</span>

Putra Indoor Stadium, currently named as Axiata Arena for sponsorship reasons, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Musa Aman</span> Malaysian politician

Musa Bin Haji Aman is a Malaysian politician who served as the 14th Chief Minister, State Minister of Finance from March 2003 to May 2018, Member of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Sungai Sibuga from February 1994 to September 2020, State Chairman of Barisan Nasional (BN) and United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) of Sabah. He is the longest-serving Chief Minister of Sabah by holding the position for 15 years and is the older half brother of Anifah Aman, the President of Love Sabah Party (PCS) and former Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Cuci is a 2008 Malaysian comedy film directed by actor Hans Isaac. The film was released on 28 January 2008.

<i>The Kampung Boy</i> Autobiographical graphic novel by Lat

The Kampung Boy, also known as Lat, the Kampung Boy or simply Kampung Boy, is a graphic novel by Lat about a young boy's experience growing up in rural Perak in the 1950s. The book is an autobiographical account of the artist's life, telling of his adventures in the jungles and tin mines, his circumcision, family, and school life. It is also the basis for the eponymous animated series broadcast in 1999. First published in 1979 by Berita Publishing, The Kampung Boy was a commercial and critical success; its first printing was sold out within four months of its release. Narrated in English with a smattering of Malay, the work has been translated into other languages, such as Japanese and French, and sold abroad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chef Wan</span> Malaysian chef and television personality

Redzuawan bin Ismail, better known by his stage name Chef Wan, is a Malaysian celebrity chef, television host, actor, restaurateur and entrepreneur.

Malaysia Film Festival is an accolade bestowed by the Malaysian Entertainment Journalists Association of Malaysia for the appreciation and honouring the products of film arts and artists. The formal ceremony at which the awards are presented is one of the most prominent award ceremonies and the highlights for the film industry in Malaysia and is televised live on local television, annually. It is considered to be Malaysia's own equivalent to the Academy Awards and it is one of the major annual awards presented in Malaysia, alongside the Anugerah Bintang Popular for the entire entertainment industry, and Anugerah Industri Muzik for the music industry.

Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Annuar bin Musa is a Malaysian politician who served as the Minister of Communications and Multimedia in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob from August 2021 to the collapse of the BN administraiton in November 2022, Minister of Federal Territories under former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration from March 2020 to the collapse of the PN administration in August 2021, Minister of Rural Development and Minister of Youth and Sports under former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration from October 1990 to December 1999 and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketereh from May 2013 to November 2022 and for Peringat from April 1995 to November 1999. He is an independent and was member, Member of the Supreme Council, Information Chief, Division Chairman of Ketereh of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and served as Secretary-General of its ruling BN coalition which is aligned with the PN coalition, from March 2020 to January 2021. He was removed from UMNO in December 2022.

Kavin Jayaram also known as Kavin Jay is a stand-up comedian and a former co-host of The REDjam on Red FM

Dewi Liana Seriestha is a Malaysian singer, model as well as beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Malaysia World 2014. She represents her country at Miss World 2014 at London, United Kingdom where she placed as one of the Top 25 quarter-finalist and also became the first Malaysian to win the Miss World Talent award.

Muhammad Fadzri Abd Rashid, professionally known as Fakkah Fuzz, is a Singaporean stand-up comedian and television personality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur</span> Supertall skyscraper in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur, also known as Four Seasons KLCC and FSP KLCC Tower, is a 74-story, 342.5-metre tall (1,124 ft) supertall skyscraper in Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Malaysia. It is Malaysia's fourth tallest building. It features a 21 m (69 ft) high crown made out of steel at the top of the tower, making the tower reaches the height of 342.5 m (1,124 ft). It is located within the Kuala Lumpur City Centre precinct in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The building was developed by Ipoh-born Singapore tycoon, Ong Beng Seng, partnering Tan Sri Syed Yusof Tun Syed Nasir and the Sultan of Selangor under Venus Assets Sdn Bhd. It is currently the fourth tallest building in Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigel Ng</span> Malaysian stand-up comedian and internet personality

Nigel Ng Kin-ju, better known by his online persona Uncle Roger, is a Malaysian stand-up comedian and internet celebrity based in London, England. Ng prides himself on various East, Southeast, and South Asian stereotypes, and became popular on social media as his online persona, a middle-aged Asian man reviewing Asian food recipes who speaks Cantonese as a first language with an exaggerated and pronounced accent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Douglas Lim</span> Malaysian actor, comedian, TV host and emcee

Douglas Lim is a Malaysian actor, comedian, television presenter and emcee. He is well known for his involvement in local television, theater and film and comedy show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nabil Ahmad</span> Malaysian comedian

Ahmad Nabil Ahmad, also known as Nabil Ahmad, Nabil Raja Lawak, and simply Nabil 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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Schembri, Jim (29 March 2012). "Review: Best of Comedy Malaysia featuring Harith Iskander". HeraldSun. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  2. "Harith Iskander". Singapore Comedy Fringe 2016. Archived from the original on 18 December 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Tulloch, Yvette (13 April 2015). "The 'godfather' of Malaysian stand-up comedy – Harith Iskander". News and Events. Curtin University. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Loh, Genevieve Sarah (14 September 2016). "Godfather of Malaysian stand-up Harith Iskander: "I'm not a shock comedian!"". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Nur Asyiqin Mohamad Salleh (19 October 2015). "8 Questions with Harith Iskander: Malaysia's godfather of stand-up". The Straits Times. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  6. "HARITH ISKANDER (MAL) | Enmore Theatre". metrotheatre.com.au. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  7. "Malaysia's Top 10 Comedians". TallyPress. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Harith Iskander at the Sydney Comedy Festival". Dirty Work Comedy. Archived from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  9. "Harith Iskander wins Funniest Person in the World competition - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  10. Tam, Michelle (19 May 2016). "TMJ plays 'tour guide' to Harith Iskander". The Star. Star Media Group Berhad. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  11. 1 2 Surin, Jacqueline Ann (8 November 2011). "Harith Iskander's "Race Malaysia"". TheNutGraph. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  12. 1 2 Yap, Stephanie (9 January 2015). "5 Things You Should Know About Harith Iskander". Her World Malaysia. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  13. "Harith Iskander in the running for the Funniest Person in the World". New Straits Times. 7 September 2016.
  14. "Nazri: Harith now one of country's main attractions". Malay Mail. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
  15. "Asia's 'best comedy festival' returns - Metro News | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  16. "Comedian Harith Iskander to go on nationwide tour". New Straits Times.
  17. "Harith Iskander: I Told You So | Netflix Official Site". www.netflix.com. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  18. "Funnyman Harith to tickle Los Angeles folk next month". New Straits Times. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  19. Diyana Rose Kamalludeen (2 April 2010). "Harith Iskandar Akhiri Zaman Bujang Julai Ini". mStar (in Malay). Retrieved 15 November 2016.