Aziz Ansari

Ansari in 2011, s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Birth Name: Aziz Ismail Ansari

Place of Birth: Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.

Date of Birth: February 23, 1983

Ethnicity: Indian [Tamil]

Aziz Ansari is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is known for starring in the series Parks and Recreation and Master of None, and in the film 30 Minutes or Less.

Aziz was born in Columbia, South Carolina, the son of Fatima and Shoukath Ansari, a gastroenterologist. His parents are Muslim emigrants, from Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India. His parents met in an arranged marriage.

He stated in an interview in Vanity Fair that he can speak “enough Tamil to get by.” He has also mentioned that he went through some prejudice growing up in South Carolina.

Aziz’s paternal grandfather was named Ismail (the son of Syed Mohideen and Nafeesa). Ismail was born in Vasudevanallore, Madras Presidency, India.

Aziz’s paternal grandmother was named Ameenal Beevi (the daughter of Mohamed Abubacker Lebbai and Mariam B.). Ameenal was born in Mavadi, Madras Presidency, India. Mohamed was born in Pottalputhur, and was a landowner. He was the son of Khader Mohideen Lebbai and Jan. Bee. Mariam was born in Nariyuthu.

A DNA test whose results were displayed on the show Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (2017) stated that Aziz’s genetic ancestry is:

*98.9% South Asian

Ansari in 2012, photo by Prphotos

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk