Michael Kosta

Last updated

Michael Kosta
Michael Kosta 2017.jpg
Kosta in June 2017
Born (1979-09-27) September 27, 1979 (age 45) [1]
Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
Alma mater University of Illinois (BA)
Occupations
  • Comedian
  • actor
Years active2005–present
Tennis career
Country (sports)Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Turned pro2002
Retired2004
PlaysRight-handed (two-handed backhand)
Singles
Career record14-16
Career titles0
Highest ranking864
Doubles
Career record12-13
Highest ranking501
Website michaelkosta.com

Michael Kosta (born September 27, 1979) is an American stand-up comedian. He is an Emmy award-winning host of The Daily Show and was hired as a correspondent in 2017. He was the most-watched guest host in 2023. [2] [3] He has also hosted The Comment Section for the E! Network with producer Joel McHale as well as co-hosting Fox Sports 1’s Crowd Goes Wild. Also, debut his one-hour stand-up special for Comedy Central.

Contents

Early life

Kosta was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and went to Huron High School before attending the University of Illinois. [4] He is of Greek descent. [5] After earning a bachelor's degree in Speech Communications in 2002, Kosta played tennis on the ITF and ATP tour [6] for two years before being hired as the Assistant Men's Tennis Coach [7] for the University of Michigan. While he was the assistant coach, he began to explore his interest in stand-up comedy and performed at local comedy clubs on the side. In 2005, Kosta began a full-time job as a stand-up comic based in Los Angeles.[ citation needed ]

Career

Stand-up comedy

Kosta in 2024 Michael Kosta edited.jpg
Kosta in 2024
Kosta at The Daily Show Michael Kosta Daily Show.jpg
Kosta at The Daily Show
Kosta in 2016 Michael Kosta - Stand up comedy.jpg
Kosta in 2016

Kosta has had major appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno , [8] Conan , [9] Chelsea Lately , [10] and Late Night with Seth Meyers [11] as well as a half-hour Comedy Central special called Comedy Central Presents: Michael Kosta, [12] in January 2011. He has also made appearances on TruTV's World's Dumbest [13] , performed at the HBO Comedy Festival in Aspen, [14] and at the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival. [15] Kosta also shot a pilot with Comedy Central called Overloaded with Michael Kosta in fall 2011, [16] but as of October 2012, it has not been broadcast. In 2013, Kosta filmed his own mini-sitcom for network TV under the auspices of FOX's Shortcom Comedy Hour with fellow comedians Neal Brennan, Dov Davidoff, Kevin Smith, and Ali Wong. [17] In 2015, Kosta released his first comedy album on Comedy Dynamics Records, Comedy For Attractive People. [18] Kosta released his one-hour Comedy Central Stand-up Special, Michael Kosta: Detroit. NY. LA. [19] in 2022.

On TV

Kosta has hosted several TV shows:

Tennis

Kosta played tennis on the ITF and ATP tour [30] for two years before being hired as the Assistant Men's Tennis Coach for the University of Michigan. [31] He formerly ranked #864 in the world tennis ranking. [32] He currently hosts his own podcast, Tennis Anyone, dedicated to all things tennis. [33]

Book

Kosta released a memoir about the story of his life and career Lucky Loser: Adventures in Tennis and Comedy, published by Harper Influence in 2025. [34]

References

  1. ↑ "Michael Kosta | Bio". ATP Tour. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Who Will Host 'The Daily Show'? Michael Kosta Beats Celebrities in Round 2 of Guest Host Trials". Yahoo Entertainment. December 8, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  3. ↑ Deb, Sopan (July 11, 2017). "Comedy Central Announces New 'Daily Show' Correspondent". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Illini Alum Michael Kosta to Debut on Crowd Goes Wild". University of Illinois. August 19, 2013. Archived from the original on August 14, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Greek American comedian Michael Kosta is touring Australia". August 19, 2010. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Michael Kosta | Overview | ATP World Tour | Tennis". ATP World Tour. Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  7. ↑ Spanninga, Josh. "Michael Kosta Comes Home to Michigan". revuewm.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Show Tracker". LA Times. March 15, 2011. Archived from the original on March 20, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Michael Kosta". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Michael Kosta LIVE from the Tonight Show, Chelsea Lately, and Comedy Central - Now Playing at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse in Arlington Virginia VA". Archived from the original on May 13, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  11. ↑ Late Night with Seth Meyers (July 31, 2015), Michael Kosta Stand-Up Performance - Late Night with Seth Meyers, archived from the original on December 15, 2015, retrieved May 12, 2016
  12. ↑ "Michael Kosta | Stand-Up Comedian | Comedy Central Stand". Comedy Central. Archived from the original on June 16, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  13. ↑ Staff, Hollywood.com (January 30, 2015). "truTV Presents: World's Dumbest... | Full Cast and Credits | 2008". Hollywood.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Michael Kosta » The Comedy MIX -". www.thecomedymix.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Just For Laughs - CBC Television". www.cbc.ca. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  16. ↑ Molloy, Tim (December 7, 2011). "Ross, Brothers, Mirman all developing Comedy Central shows". Reuters. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Neal Brennan, Dov Davidoff, Michael Kosta, Kevin Smith and Ali Wong taping FOX "Shortcoms"". The Comic's Comic. February 13, 2013. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Michael Kosta at Improv, Texas". Improv, Texas. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  19. ↑ "'I Wanted A Special That Followed My Career': Michael Kosta On 'Michael Kosta: Detroit. NY. LA.' Comedy Central Special & 'The Daily Show'". www.cbsnews.com. December 11, 2020. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  20. ↑ "The Daily Show - News Team". The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. 2020. Archived from the original on January 10, 2020.
  21. ↑ Spanninga, Josh. "Michael Kosta Comes Home to Michigan". revuewm.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  22. ↑ Wallenstein, Andrew (September 19, 2011). "Review: '63rd Primetime Emmy Awards'". Variety. Archived from the original on October 22, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Attack of the Show! (12/3/2012)". YouTube . December 3, 2012. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  24. ↑ Andreeva, Nikki Finke, Nellie (January 14, 2011). "NBC & Fremantle 'Catch' Game Show Hosts". Deadline. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  25. ↑ "'Daily Show' Star Reflects on Time With Regis Philbin on Fox Sports Show 'Crowd Goes Wild'". Celebrity. July 26, 2020. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Michael Kosta's 'Comment Section' Finds What's In The Basement Of The Internet". Access Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  27. ↑ "'She Lives Like a Princess' - Bianca Andreescu Spills Fascinating Details About Her Dog Coco". EssentiallySports. March 23, 2022. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  28. ↑ Harmon, Molly (December 29, 2020). "'Joe Rogan Experience' Fans Are Upset That Full Episodes Aren't On YouTube Anymore". TheThings. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  29. ↑ "michaelkosta/status/1712564194753860022". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Michael Kosta | Overview | ATP Tour | Tennis". ATP Tour. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  31. ↑ Spanninga, Josh. "Michael Kosta Comes Home to Michigan". revuewm.com. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  32. ↑ Wertheim, Jon (February 22, 2019). "Podcast: Daily Show Correspondent Michael Kosta Talks Tennis, Comedy Career". Sports Illustrated. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  33. ↑ Cristi, A. A. "The Den Theatre Announces Comedian Michael Kosta, April 2022 On The Heath Mainstage". BroadwayWorld.com. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Memoir by Michael Kosta Coming in 2025". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
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