Mary Basmadjian (born 1987) is an Armenian-American stand-up comedian. Basmadjian is popularly known for her character Vartoush Tota, an "auntie" who performs "the particular mannerisms of an immigrant well-versed in the nuances of Soviet and post-Soviet Armenia".[1]
| Mary Basmadjian | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1987 |
| Medium | Stand-up |
| Website | www |
Early life
editBasmadjian grew up in Hollywood and Pasadena. She is estranged from her mother, and grew up with her maternal grandparents[2]
Career
editAmong other locations, Basmadjian has performed at Flappers Comedy Club[3] and El Portal Theater.[4]
In 2016, Basmadjian participated in the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry's "Laughter For Life" fundraising event.[5]
In 2018, Basmadjian, as Equality Armenia's Director of Outreach, stated that "it’s our duty to open the hearts and mind of those in our traditionally conservative culture."[6] Later that year, she hosted GALAS LGBTQ+ Armenian Society's 20th anniversary gala.[7]
During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, Basmadjian performed extensively via social media, particularly sketch comedy with characters such as Vartoush Tota, "[s]porting a thick, trendy leopard print coat, extra long acrylic nails, a disheveled piecey auburn wig and overdrawn red lipstick[.]"[8]
Basmadjian performed for the Children of Armenia Fund's virtual 2020 annual fundraiser.[9]
Basmadjian's first comedy special, Funny Armenian Girl, was released on Prime Video and Apple TV in February 2024.[10]
Filmography
editComedy specials
edit| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Funny Armenian Girl | Premiered on Prime Video and Apple TV | [11] |
References
edit- ^ Talar Chahinian (March 7, 2019). "Critics' Forum: Armenian Comedy in LA: Performing Inter-Cultural Difference Through Language". Asbarez. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "Sam Tripoli and Mary Basmadjian". The Adam Carolla Show. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ "Mary Basmadjian". Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ "Mary Basmadjian". Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ "ABMDR's Laughter For Life 2016 – Huge Turnout & Success". November 18, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ "Equality Armenia Honors Three City Officials". Asbarez. April 4, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ^ "GALAS Marks Two Decades of Service to Armenian LGBT Community". Asbarez. June 27, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ Leeza Arakelian (March 25, 2020). "Comedian Mary Basmadjian Delivering the Laughs When We Need Them the Most". Armenian Weekly. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "COAF Soiree Featuring Sebu Simonian, Mary Basmadjian, Araksya Karapetyan and Sona Movsesian to Raise Funds for COVID-19 Relief in Rural Armenia". Armenian Mirror-Spectator. August 13, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ Clare Martin (January 30, 2024). "Comedy Specials and Albums to Enjoy in February 2024". Paste. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "Funny Armenian Girl".