He’s Persian-American, having grown up in Reno, Nevada and he does standup

At 36, K-von is passionate about what he does, and for a time was homeless as he traveled the US in his car to make a film on Norwuz, the Persian new year. While he cautions anyone from doing standup because of the challenges, it’s clear there’s nothing else he’d rather be doing. He has a gift for making people laugh and you’ll read it below. It’s SEELE’s first interview with a comedian and I must say, it’s nice to have a bit of a laugh with our content. So ‘tanx God’- a term which you’ll only understand if you watch his comedic clips or go to one of his shows. Oh, and that’s very much possible this year as K-von is on tour and may be coming to a city near you. Link to his tour dates and cities below.

Seele Magazine: How did you know that being a comedian was your calling?

K-von: I didn’t. I wanted to join a boy band but I didn’t have three other friends. So, it was standup comedy for me!

SM: When did you know that you had the gift to make people laugh?

K-von: Everyone told me I’m not funny and I thought; I’ll show them!

SM: Is standup harder or easier than it looks?
K-von: Standup is supposed to look easy. That means the comedian is doing it right. You know comedy is hard when you ask the average audience member to tell a joke or story and try to make the crowd laugh. That’s when everyone realizes at the same time that very few people in the world can do this thing well.

SM: What was it like growing up half-Persian in Reno, Nevada?
K-von: I was born in the USA and raised in the USA. Many people think I am Iranian or from Iran, but it simply isn’t true. Therefore, I would be much more out of place if you brought me to Iran than if you dropped me off in Iowa.

SM: What about your Persian culture and your American culture makes you who you are?

K-von: Everyone keeps calling me the most famous ½ Persian comedian in the world. At first it was embarrassing, but now I joke around about it. I mean; it’s not like there are millions to compete with.

SM: Can you speak Farsi?

K-von: I don’t speak Farsi. I’m still learning English. The only way to learn at this point is to date a Persian girl but then I will only learn the bad words!

SM: Do you have any thoughts about what’s going on in Iran and the current situation there?

K-von: I am a standup comedian. In order to do my job I need freedom of speech. I am also an American who enjoys freedom of information and the press. Add to that the amount of diversity and opportunities people from all walks of life enjoy in my country, and I have to think it’s not fair for others to go without. Therefore, we must have freedom. The people my age and younger demand it.

SM: Do you dream to one day do stand up in Iran?

K-von: I will do standup in any country, or any city in the world!
I have been to Dubai, Asia, Canada, the Bahamas, and all over the USA. If it’s safe and if the government does not murder people or jail them then I will do it.
As of now, it is not a dream to do standup in Iran, it is a nightmare of mine. I was told by people very high up that if I ever dared to try, I would do one last show then disappear!

SM: There are many comedians, but what makes your comedy unique? What are you bringing to the table to comedy that makes you different, relatable, and funny?
K-von: There are many comedians, but no other comic in the world can make fun of being American, with a Persian dad, and find observations on dating, politics, race relations and the facts of life like me. My brain works differently than theirs and my experiences are unlike any other.
It is a talent stack that is unique to only one comic.

SM: Where do you hope to see your career going?

K-von: Up up and away! We need to share my clips and youtube.com/KvonComedy with people around the world for a much-needed laugh. Your readers will find there are over 300 standup clips. Everyone that writes in says they are better than most of what they will see on NETFLIX or on TV today. I am humbled and love when the thousands of people contact me to say that.

SM: Would you ever segue into acting, playing in comedic films the way Kevin Hart or Jamie Foxx did?

K-von: I have already acted in many projects, sketches, comedy clips, tv shows, and movies. Just go on google and watch for hours. But, your mom will yell at you to come out of your room eventually. So be careful. 

SM: You’re a grassroots comedian. How did you get your start and how has your journey looked over time?

K-von: Some comedians are born to a famous family or have people already in the industry who help them navigate the path.
That is not the case for most. Standup comedians like me work hard and find our own path. No shortcuts.
Those comedians who build it themselves get a rabid fan base and usually know how to keep it.

SM: When did you get your big break and what was that like?

K-von: There has been no big break. My career is a sequence of small breaks like a frog jumping from one lily pad to the next. Each one is better and more successful than the last.
*But if someone wants to give me a free helicopter ride to the next big lily pad that would be great.

SM: How does it feel that NBC, Netflix, CNN, MTV, Good Morning America, the BBC and NPR have given you good reviews?

K-von: Those are all nice small breaks, which helped me get to the next level! The best response is when I tour and hundreds of people come to see me live. They leave with an even bigger smile on their face. Almost all the jokes you’re watching online are probably 2 to 10 years old. My new material is light years ahead of anything they’ve seen.

SM: To anyone out there desiring to be a comedian, what advice do you have for them?
K-von: I’d say don’t do it. You won’t make a lot of money. The crowd will not like you. You will not be very good. And your friends and family will not support you. It will be lonely when you travel to cities and countries alone and stay in a bad hotel and miss weddings, anniversaries, and funerals.
Now do you still want to do it? Then you are a real comic.
If any of that scares you then you are a fake and have no business in the industry.

SM: What would you tell your 18-year-old self?

K-von: You are a nice boy.

SM: What can fans expect to see you in 2020?

K-von: I have a very funny comedy special coming out in 2020. I’m selling my new hilarious book “Once You Go PERSIAN…” which everyone loves so far. And I will film a new comedy special. The best thing for them to do is come to a live show and experience the laughs. It is AMAZING.

I rarely do this, but anyone who mentions reading your article will receive one free ticket to the LIVE comedy show to see why people are saying that the most famous ½ Persian comedian in the world is a must see. So, the first 100 people to write in on www.Kvon.tv and pick a show will now get 1 free ticket. Message Allyson or it doesn’t count.
All as a special Tanx to you! Now, here’s to a great 2020.