Bassem Youssef

Birth Name: Bassem Raafat Mohamed Youssef
Date of birth: 21 March 1974
Gender: Male
Nationality: Egyptian
Occupation: Comedian, writer, producer, surgeon
Genres: Political/news satire, observational comedy, surreal comedy, black comedy
Wife: Hala Diab 

Biography & Career  

Bassem Raafat Mohamed Youssef, born on March 21, 1974, is an exceptionally talented Egyptian comedian, writer, producer, surgeon, doctor, media critic, and television host. He gained widespread acclaim as the presenter of the satirical news program "El-Bernameg" (The Show) from 2011 to 2014. Youssef found inspiration in the comedic style of Jon Stewart and his renowned show "The Daily Show," leading to comparisons between their satirical approaches and political commentary. In 2013, he was honored as one of Time magazine's "100 most influential people in the world." Youssef is currently involved in several projects, including "Tickling Giants," "The Democracy Handbook," and "Revolution For Dummies."  

Prior to his successful career in comedy, Youssef pursued a medical path. He completed his medical studies at Cairo University's Faculty of Medicine in 1998, specializing in cardiothoracic surgery. For over a decade, he worked as a cardiothoracic surgeon in Egypt, obtaining membership in the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS). Additionally, Youssef received advanced training in cardiac and lung transplantation during his time in Germany. He also gained valuable experience while working for a company in the United States that produced medical equipment related to cardiothoracic surgery. During the Egyptian revolution in January 2011, Youssef actively provided assistance to the wounded in Tahrir Square.  

Youssef's media journey commenced with the creation of his initial satirical show, "The B+ Show," in March 2011, which drew inspiration from the Egyptian revolution. The show quickly gained popularity on his YouTube channel, garnering millions of views within the first few months. This success caught the attention of the Egyptian channel ONTV, which offered him the opportunity to host "Al Bernameg." Notably, "Al Bernameg" became the first-ever internet-to-TV conversion in the Middle East, with a budget of half a million dollars. The program featured satirical takes on contemporary political events and engaging interviews with prominent public figures, artists, and politicians.