Aziz Ansari is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in comedy, starring in a popular television series, a number of films, and debuting his first hour-long standup special and album. Entertainment Weekly has named him one of the top 12 future stars of comedy, LA Weekly put him on the cover of their annual People Issue and Paste Magazine recently named him one of the Top 10 Comedians of the Decade.

Ansari currently co-stars opposite SNL’s Amy Poehler and Rashida Jones in the critically acclaimed NBC Comedy Series, “Parks and Recreation” from the producers and creators of “The Office,” which is now in its second season. The series was recently named Sitcom of the Year by GQ and was listed as one of Time’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2009. Ansari’s portrayal of government employee ‘Tom Haverford,’ has earned him much critical praise including Entertainment Weekly naming him one of 2009’s Breakout TV Stars, TV Guide naming him a Scene Stealer and Yahoo! TV placing him in the number one spot on their list of TV MVPS: The Most Valuable Performers of the Fall Season.  

In January, Ansari debuted a one-hour long stand-up special on Comedy Central titled, “Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening.” His much-anticipated album was also recently released on DVD and CD.

In addition, Ansari is currently developing three films with director Jason Woliner for Judd Apatow and Universal. The collaboration with Apatow began on Universal’s Funny People, where Ansari created the popular character of ‘Raaaaaaaandy,’ who went on to become a viral hit on FunnyOrDie.com.

Ansari recently wrapped production on another Apatow film Get Him to the Gig, which he will appear in alongside Russell Brand, Jonah Hill and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, as a co-worker of Hill’s character. The film is set to release this summer. Ansari also has had roles in the hit comedies I Love You, Man with Paul Rudd and Jason Segel, and opposite Seth Rogen and Anna Faris in Observe and Report.

Ansari first came to audiences attention on MTV’s hit sketch comedy series, “Human Giant.” The series is based around short films starring Ansari, along with Rob Huebel and Paul Scheer. Many of their sketches have become internet sensations and have popularized the trio with young people all across the US.  Last year, Ansari also had a very memorable guest starring role on HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords,” in which he portrayed a racist fruit vendor.  He also was seen in a multi-episode arc on “Scrubs” earlier this year.

 In 2009, Ansari completed his “Glow in the Dark” Comedy Standup Tour, which concluded with the recording of his album and special and he has a new theatre tour in the works this year. Ansari began performing standup in 2001 while attending NYU.  In 2005, Rolling Stone named him their choice for “Hot Standup” on their annual “Hot List,” and he was also awarded the Jury Award for Best Standup at the US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen in 2006.