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Portrait of Dean Obeidallah

Photo: RT America · CC BY 3.0

Dean Obeidallah

Palestinian Italian American comedian, writer, and radio host

Born
17 December 1969
Born in
Lodi, New Jersey, USA
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Why Dean is here

Bridging Cultures Through Humor

Their story

Dean Obeidallah, born in New Jersey in 1969 to a Palestinian father and an Italian mother, is a lawyer turned comedian, journalist and radio host. He hosts The Dean Obeidallah Show on SiriusXM and writes for CNN, The Daily Beast and MSNBC.

In 2003 he co-founded the New York Arab-American Comedy Festival with Maysoon Zayid, and he co-directed the documentary The Muslims Are Coming! He uses comedy to take on prejudice against Arabs and Muslims.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Dean’s path.

  1. Legal to Comedy Transition

    Transitioned from practicing law to pursuing comedy in the mid-1990s, initially participating in a "funniest lawyer contest" suggested by his law firm colleagues.

  2. Education

    Trained as an attorney and practiced law before moving into comedy and broadcasting.

  3. Media Presence

    Became a prominent figure on SiriusXM with "The Dean Obeidallah Show" and a regular contributor to CNN.com Opinion, MSNBC Daily, and Salon.com.

  4. Documentary Work

    Co-directed and co-produced "The Muslims Are Coming!" a comedy documentary aiming to counter anti-Muslim bigotry through humor and dialogue.

  5. Community Engagement

    Co-founded the New York Arab-American Comedy Festival and "Stand Up for Peace," fostering understanding between Muslim and Jewish-Americans.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Advocacy Through Comedy

    Utilizes stand-up comedy to challenge stereotypes and promote understanding between Arab-Americans, Muslims, and broader communities.

  2. Journalism

    Contributes thought-provoking articles on political and social issues, emphasizing the Palestinian perspective and advocating for social justice.

  3. Film and Documentary

    Through "The Muslims Are Coming!", Dean engages with sensitive topics, using comedy to bridge gaps and foster dialogue.

  4. Cultural Festivals

    His involvement in founding the New York Arab-American Comedy Festival showcases Arab-American talents, promoting diversity in the entertainment industry.

  5. Educational Initiatives

    "Stand Up for Peace" aims at peace-building and fostering understanding through humor, demonstrating the power of comedy in social activism.

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