Mary Basmadjian

Last updated
Mary Basmadjian
Born1987
MediumStand-up
Website www.marybasmadjiancomedy.com

Mary Basmadjian (born 1987) is an Armenian-American stand-up comedian. Basmadjian is popularly known for her character Vartoush Tota, an "auntie" who performs "the particular mannerisms of an immigrant well-versed in the nuances of Soviet and post-Soviet Armenia". [1]

Contents

Early life

Basmadjian grew up in Hollywood and Pasadena. She is estranged from her mother, and grew up with her maternal grandparents [2]

Career

Among other locations, Basmadjian has performed at Flappers Comedy Club [3] and El Portal Theater. [4]

In 2016, Basmadjian participated in the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry's "Laughter For Life" fundraising event. [5]

In 2018, Basmadjian, as Equality Armenia's Director of Outreach, stated that "it’s our duty to open the hearts and mind of those in our traditionally conservative culture." [6] Later that year, she hosted GALAS LGBTQ+ Armenian Society's 20th anniversary gala. [7]

During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, Basmadjian performed extensively via social media, particularly sketch comedy with characters such as Vartoush Tota, "[s]porting a thick, trendy leopard print coat, extra long acrylic nails, a disheveled piecey auburn wig and overdrawn red lipstick[.]" [8]

Basmadjian performed for the Children of Armenia Fund's virtual 2020 annual fundraiser. [9]

Basmadjian's first comedy special, Funny Armenian Girl, was released on Prime Video and Apple TV in February 2024. [10]

Filmography

Comedy specials

YearTitleNotesRef.
2024Funny Armenian GirlPremiered on Prime Video and Apple TV [11]

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References

  1. Talar Chahinian (March 7, 2019). "Critics' Forum: Armenian Comedy in LA: Performing Inter-Cultural Difference Through Language". Asbarez . Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  2. "Sam Tripoli and Mary Basmadjian". The Adam Carolla Show. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  3. "Mary Basmadjian" . Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  4. "Mary Basmadjian" . Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  5. "ABMDR's Laughter For Life 2016 – Huge Turnout & Success". November 18, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  6. "Equality Armenia Honors Three City Officials". Asbarez . April 4, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  7. "GALAS Marks Two Decades of Service to Armenian LGBT Community". Asbarez . June 27, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  8. Leeza Arakelian (March 25, 2020). "Comedian Mary Basmadjian Delivering the Laughs When We Need Them the Most". Armenian Weekly . Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  9. "COAF Soiree Featuring Sebu Simonian, Mary Basmadjian, Araksya Karapetyan and Sona Movsesian to Raise Funds for COVID-19 Relief in Rural Armenia". Armenian Mirror-Spectator . August 13, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  10. Clare Martin (January 30, 2024). "Comedy Specials and Albums to Enjoy in February 2024". Paste . Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  11. "Funny Armenian Girl".