Egyptian Americans · Satire
Bassem Youssef
Comedian, television host, actor and former cardiothoracic surgeon, known for the satirical show Al Bernameg (2011 to 2014). In the US he hosted the 43rd International Emmy Awards in 2015 and published the memoir Revolution for Dummies in 2017.[Source]
Where in the US · HomeLeft Egypt for Dubai on 11 November 2014, later moved to the United States, and became a naturalised citizen in 2019. He now lives in Los Angeles.[Source]
Family history
Born in Cairo on 21 March 1974. In 2010 he married Hala Diab, with whom he has two children.[Source]
Connection with Egypt
A Cairo University medical graduate, he practised surgery in Egypt for 13 years and treated the wounded in Tahrir Square in January 2011. He left Egypt in late 2014 after legal and political pressure over his satire. The Committee to Protect Journalists honoured him with its International Press Freedom Award.[Source]
Education
- Cairo University, Faculty of MedicineMedicine[Source]
Recognition
Sources
Sources read on 2026-09-23