Comedy Central announced South African comedian Trevor Noah as Jon Stewart’s replacement on “The Daily Show” Monday.
The 31-year-old stand-up comic has begun to build his comedy resume stateside, with a 2012 appearance on “The Tonight Show” and a 2014 contributor debut on “The Daily Show.”
“It’s an honor to follow Jon Stewart. He and the team at ‘The Daily Show’ have created an incredible show whose impact is felt all over the world,” Noah said in a release. “In my brief time with the show they’ve made me feel so welcome. I’m excited to get started and work with such a fantastic group of people.”
Stewart added, “I’m thrilled for the show and for Trevor. He’s a tremendous comic and talent that we’ve loved working with.”
Comedy Central hailed Noah as “the top comedian in Africa.”
The New York Times reported the news in advance of the television network’s announcement, and wrote this about Noah’s background:
By the time he started performing stand-up in his 20s, Mr. Noah said he had long been taught that “speaking freely about anything, as a person of color, was considered treason.”
His globetrotting spirit (and ability to speak six languages) set him apart in comedy, and he performed widely in the United States between 2010 and 2012, eventually coming to Mr. Stewart’s attention about two years ago.
Noah’s first “Daily Show” appearance in December — when Ferguson, Missouri and the U.S. Ebola scare were top headlines — reflected what the Times described “a self-assured polyglot with an international perspective.”
“I’ve been holding my arms like this since I got here,” he said, holding his arms in the “hands up, don’t shoot” protest style. “I never thought I’d be more afraid of police in America than in South Africa. It kind of makes me a little nostalgic for the old days back home.”
Comedy Central did not announce Noah’s start date in the anchor’s chair.
