| Mary Basmadjian | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1987 |
| Medium | Stand-up |
| Website | www |
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]
Basmadjian grew up in Hollywood and Pasadena. She is estranged from her mother, and grew up with her maternal grandparents [2]
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]
| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Funny Armenian Girl | Premiered on Prime Video and Apple TV | [11] |