Quick Facts
Biography
Yassir Lester (born 1984) is an American stand-up comedian, writer, and actor. He was on the writing staff for The Carmichael Show and Girls. He is best known for his role as Chris in Making History, and a role as a stockbroker, also named Yassir, in the 2019 Showtime series Black Monday.
Early life
Lester was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia. He aspired to be a stand-up comedian from a young age, and moved to Los Angeles at 21 to pursue a comedy career. He met Jerrod Carmichael soon after arriving and they remain close friends.
Career
Lester was on the writing staff of both The Carmichael Show and Girls, and worked in both writers' rooms simultaneously in 2016. He took a break to film Making History, which ran on Fox for one season. He stated that he never intended to act, and had moved to Hollywood to work in TV production and as a stand-up comedian. His friend Adam Pally, who was already attached to star, encouraged him to audition.
He was a cast member on the series Champions in 2018, which was cancelled after one season.
In 2019 he appeared as a Muslim Wall Street trader, also named Yassir, in the new Showtime series Black Monday.
Lester regularly performs stand-up comedy.
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | TakePart Live | Himself | 6 episodes |
| 2014 | My Super-Overactive Imagination | The Epic Ex | Episode: "Showcase Showdown Part 2" |
| 2014 | Between the Sheets with Josh Macuga | Himself | Episode: "Guest: Yassir Lester" |
| 2014 | After the Party | Stranger | Episode: "Garage Sale" |
| 2014 | Key & Peele | Laron's Friend #2 | Episode: "Concussion Quarterback" |
| 2014 | Snack Off | Himself / Judge | 10 episodes |
| 2016 | The Carmichael Show | Himself | Story editor (9 episodes) Written (1 episode) |
| 2016–2017 | Girls | Declan | Actor (2 episode) Story editor (10 episodes) Staff writer (10 episodes) |
| 2016–2017 | @midnight | Himself | 5 episode |
| 2017 | Making History | Chris | Main role |
| 2017 | The Mindy Project | David | Episode: "Jeremy & Anna's Meryl Streep Costume Party" |
| 2018 | Champions | Shabaz | 8 episodes |
| 2018 | Comedy Knockout | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 2018 | A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy | Himself | Christmas special |
| 2019 | Black Monday | Yassir | Main role |
| 2019 | Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Quentin Chase | Episode: "The Tattler" |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | The Bet | Ed McDoogle |
Web
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | The Late Night Fix with Yassir Lester | Himself | Main role, writer, executive producer |
| 2014 | Chelsea Peretti: One of the Greats | Himself | Netflix special |
| 2016 | Netflix Presents: The Characters | Male Student | Episode: "Kate Berlant" |