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Examining the Net Worth and Comedy Career of Hasan Minhaj

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Nov 19, 2024 / 3903 Views

Evan Walker

Hasan Minhaj is a multitalented personality who is an ace comedian, writer, and actor known for his sharp wit, engaging storytelling, and bold commentary on social and political issues. The Indian-American has carved a niche in the Entertainment world as a voice for underrepresented communities. His new comedy special, Off With His Head, by all accounts affirms his position as a comic to look out for in contemporary comedy today, probing with flair into topics such as identity, family, and cultural complexities. From his comedy career to acting in movies and TV shows like AppleTV’s The Morning Show, check out the net worth and career achievements of Hasan Minhaj.

Hasan Minhaj is known for his fearless takes on the American establishment, using satire as a powerful tool to challenge authority and spark meaningful conversations. Interestingly, they both have run afoul of powerful people and institutions thanks to their opinions.

All about Hasan Minhaj: Net worth, career, and rise to fame

What is the net worth of Hasan Minhaj?

According to Celebrity wealth tracker, Celebrity Net Worth, the net worth of Hasan Minhaj is USD 4 million. His earnings are aided by stand-up tours, projects with television, acting, and endorsements.

Early life and background

Born on September 23, 1985, in Davis, California, Hasan Minhaj is a first-generation American son of Indian Muslim immigrants who left Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India, for better prospects in the United States. Growing up in a culturally diverse environment, Minhaj navigated the challenges of defining his identity as a first-generation American. Minhaj attended Davis Senior High School and was interested in debate and theatre right from the beginning.

Minhaj went on to attend the University of California, Davis, graduating with a degree in Political Science in 2007. His years in college would become integral to the comedic voice he would eventually shape for himself. He regularly took stand-up gigs locally and eventually found the confidence to share his unique perspectives with the world.

American comedian and actor — Hasan Minhaj in the comedy special *The King’s Jester*. (Image: Courtesy of IMDb)

Career beginnings

2014 marked the official beginning of Minhaj’s professional comedy career as he joined The Daily Show as a correspondent. He stayed on The Daily Show for two years where he combined political satire with topics of race, immigration, and identity. His work at the show was known for its unique brand of humour and insightful social commentary.

Minhaj made history in 2017 by becoming the first Indian-American to helm a Netflix stand-up comedy special with Homecoming King. He told a deeply personal and poignant story of his experiences as an American Muslim growing up in a post-9/11 America. The special was an instant hit and is largely responsible for making Minhaj the world-renowned comedian he is today and for getting him bigger gigs.

This part of the special perfectly epitomises Minhaj’s style: “My dad’s from that generation where he feels like if you come to this country, you pay the American dream tax. You endure racism, and if it doesn’t cost you your life, pay it. There you go, Uncle Sam. But for me, I was born here. So I actually have the audacity of equality. I’m like, “I’m in Honors Gov, I have it right here. Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. All men created equal.” It says it right here, I’m equal. I’m equal. I don’t deserve this.”

Breakthrough with Patriot Act

The career of Minhaj really took off when, in October 2018, his Netflix series Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj premiered. The show, at once both informative and funny, was quite different from other forms of political commentary in that it merged stand-up comedy with in-depth discussions about current events and social issues, with a particular focus on Americans of South Asian origin.

Each episode took a different topic, from immigration to global politics, and presented with Minhaj’s inimitable way of storytelling. The show concluded in June 2020 after six seasons.

Expanding his horizons: Acting, hosting, and podcasts

Movies and TV shows starring Hasan Minhaj — Reese Witherspoon and Hasan Minhaj in The Morning Show. (Image: Courtesy of IMDb)

Hasan Minhaj has also been a part of several movies and TV shows. In 2021, Minhaj joined season two of the Apple TV+ drama The Morning Show in a recurring role along side Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. Minhaj further showcased his comedic prowess in The King’s Jester (2022), a stand-up tour across the US that culminated in the release of a Netflix special.

In 2022, Minhaj lent his voice to The Riddler in the Warner Bros and Spotify Batman podcast Batman Unburied, reprising the role in The Riddler: Secrets in the Dark in 2023.

In February 2023, Minhaj returned to The Daily Show as one of several guest hosts following the departure of Trevor Noah. In July 2024, Minhaj launched his own political talk show and podcast, Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know. In the first episode, he interviewed Senator Elizabeth Warren and has since hosted conversations with Stacey Abrams and Senator Bernie Sanders, bringing his distinct blend of humour and political insight to the podcasting space.

Minhaj was last seen in It Ends with Us (2024), an adaptation of Colleen Hoover novel of the same name starring Blake Lively.

Personal life and family

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A post shared by Hasan Minhaj (@hasanminhaj)

In 2015, Hasan Minhaj married Beena Patel, his sweetheart from college. The couple has two children, and Minhaj makes constant mention of hilarious anecdotes about life as a husband and father. The relatable way he reflects on parenting and family life makes his comedy that much more human and widespread in appeal. Through social media and his performances, Minhaj provides glimpses into his personal life.

The New Yorker article and professional fallout

In a September 2023 article, The New Yorker accused Hasan Minhaj of embellishing key stories in his comedy specials, including personal accounts of Islamophobia and threats to his family. In the article, Minhaj admitted to using a mix of “emotional truth” and fiction in his storytelling, stating his aim was to convey the challenges faced by Muslim Americans. The article cited three instances that have called into question the facts of his work: an imagined hospital scenario related to his daughter and a dramatised high school breakup.

Following that article, Minhaj responded to those claims with text messages and audio evidence of his version of the reporting. He then criticised The New Yorker for omitting critical context and called the piece “needlessly misleading.” His defence notwithstanding, the controversy had professional fallout: Comedy Central confirmed that he was no longer in consideration to host The Daily Show. In an October 2023 video response (which you can see above), Minhaj reiterated that his stories capture real fears and experiences, even if not strictly true events, and then delved deeper into the larger truths driving his work.

(Hero and featured image: Courtesy of Hasan Minhaj/Instagram)

This article first appeared on Lifestyle Asia India