From South Africa to The Daily Show’s desk in America, Noah brings his signature style of comedy that engages audiences. As an expert on race relations in both countries, Noah makes them feel immediate.
Relentlessly kind–he smiles even while discussing his childhood feeding on caterpillars–he is an indispensable source of insight and perspective in an age of political division.
Born in Soweto
Trevor Noah brings an insightful viewpoint to The Daily Show as host, offering analysis of American politics and popular culture from his unique vantage point. However, his journey from prison to hosting one of the world’s most-watched television programs began with criminal conduct.
As part of South Africa’s apartheid era laws, relationships between white Europeans and black Xhosa people were illegal. Due to Noah’s light complexion, his mother would pretend he was someone new when out and about so as not to get caught by apartheid-era police officers who patrolled Soweto townships.
Noah began performing comedy at nightclubs when challenged by friends. Soon thereafter, his talent blossomed, landing him roles on several soap operas as well as hosting his own radio show, Noah’s Ark (later The Daily Show). Today he continues to entertain and inspire with his wry sense of humor; also authoring Born a Crime, detailing his childhood during and post apartheid South Africa.
Raised in Cape Town
Trevor Noah has achieved fame at a level few South Africans can rival, yet his comedy remains grounded in an environment where racism and violent conflict are everyday realities. His material draws upon this rich source of hardship while at the same time conveying messages about hope to audiences worldwide.
Noah lived during apartheid era South Africa where relationships between races were illegal. Due to this law, his white father could not marry his black mother; consequently, Noah could not play outside with his cousins without risk of police reprisal. His grandmother forbade them from playing together at all for fear that police might catch up to them and arrest them.
Noah’s stand-up routine captures the joy, pain, and anger that runs deep throughout South African society. From Soweto streets to encounters with expats abroad, his stand-up routine showcases all sides of South African life from load shedding to crime to travel and immigration as well as race (obviously), culture identity and notions of home – creating a cathartic joyride using story dialogue, long pauses and onomatopoeia for an authentic South African voice – earning him the nickname – hence earning him nickname: ‘comedian from other side of rainbow’
Moved to New York City
Trevor Noah relocated from South Africa to New York City in 2022, moving into a three-bedroom duplex at Stella Tower on West 50th Street that measures around 3,600 square feet and boasting custom oak flooring, elegant archways between rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout. Its kitchen offers polished marble slab countertops as well as an entire wall setup as a bar area – a true chef’s delight!
Trevor has become an iconic presence on the American comedy scene, earning himself a place as one of the New York Times best-selling books and receiving many honors and accolades along the way. Notably he hosted both Grammy Awards as well as two White House Correspondents Dinners before also featuring in multiple standup specials as a performer and being nominated for multiple Emmy Awards nominations.
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah has evolved seamlessly from entertaining, provocative satire to serious conversations that tackle society’s times of unrest and confusion. Trevor serves as global ambassador for The Daily Show and has written and produced an expansive slate of content.
Started Stand-Up Comedy
Trevor Noah made his mark as an iconic comedian by engaging audiences through stand-up comedy and making them laugh about uncomfortable subjects. His “Off The Record” World Tour made stops in 28 cities worldwide.
Noah gained prominence through his appearances on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in 2014. By 2015 he had taken over as host and continued as such until 2022 when he eventually left.
Noah has also established an esteemed stand-up career and written two New York Times bestselling novels: Born a Crime and its young reader’s adaptation. Additionally, he launched the Trevor Noah Foundation to promote equitable access to quality education in South Africa and frequently appears as a guest on other talk shows or podcasts with authentic back-and-forth dialogues; additionally serving as executive producer on Spotify Studios’s What Now? series.
