South Carolina has a knack for producing hilarity. Comedians and actors such as Stephen Colbert, Andy Dick and Chris Rock were all born in the Palmetto State. Another native South Carolinian is funny man Aziz Ansari, who will come to the College of Charleston on July 11, 2015, as part of his book tour.
Ansari is originally from Columbia, S.C., but he grew up in Bennettsville and attended the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville, S.C. His new book, Modern Romance, which came out June 16, 2015, focuses on how dating has evolved with technology. He’ll be at the College’s Sottile Theatre (44 George St.) at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. This ticketed event is open to the public.
While he is best known for his role as Tom Haverford on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, Ansari has acted in several feature films and television programs and performed standup comedy across the U.S. He hosted one such performance in February 2014 as a fundraiser for former College of Charleston student Liza Dye, an up-and-coming New York comedian who was hospitalized following a subway accident.
While Dye was in the hospital, Ansari visited her twice while also raising awareness of her situation to encourage his fellow comedians to donate to her cause. “Aziz is a really great guy,” Dye said. “I had never met him before but he came to visit me twice in the hospital, I think because we’re both from South Carolina and because – there’s a feeling in New York when you’re doing standup, like, ‘we’re all in this together.’”
For a taste of what Modern Romance will be about, check out a clip of Aziz on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon below!
