Sammy Obeid

Sammy Obeid is a Palestinian-American stand-up comedian, writer, and television host known for his analytic style and wordplay, often drawing on his Middle Eastern heritage. Obeid holds degrees in business and applied mathematics from UC Berkeley and chose to pursue a career in comedy over a job offer from Google. The New York Times has described his work as featuring clever misdirection and ethnic humor.

Obeid gained national attention by performing stand-up comedy for 1,001 consecutive nights, a streak he called "1,001 Arabian Nights of Comedy." During this period, he broke the previous world record and appeared on TBS's "Conan," NBC's "America's Got Talent," and became the first comedian to perform on Food Network. His efforts were profiled in TIME Magazine and The New York Times, and LA Weekly noted his dedication to the craft.

Following his record-breaking streak, Obeid released his debut comedy album, "Get Funny or Die Tryin'," which was recognized by iTunes as a best comedy album. He expanded into television as a co-host on the Netflix series "100 Humans," where participants engage in experiments exploring human behavior. His television credits also include NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and projects such as "Pemdas," "SO Happy Hour," and "Almost Americans."

In addition to performing, Obeid is an entrepreneur and advocate. He founded KO Comedy, a virtual comedy club that streams live stand-up performances globally. Obeid is an advocate for Palestinian rights, often incorporating political commentary into his routines and organizing the international "Ceasefire Comedy" tour. He also launched Pal Collective, a platform connecting individuals with families in Gaza. Obeid's work in social commentary through comedy is featured in the documentary "Seeds for Liberation," which explores the Free Palestine movement. Through his performances, hosting roles, and community initiatives, Obeid demonstrates the intersection of comedy and social engagement.