Paul Elia Explained

Paul Elia
Birth Date:23 February 1988
Birth Place:Southfield, Michigan, U.S.
Active:2009–present

Paul Elia (born February 23, 1988) is an Assyrian American comedian and actor from Detroit, MI. In 2024, his debut comedy special Detroit Player was released on YouTube.

Career

Elia was born in the city of San Diego, California on February 23, 1988, to Iraqi Assyrian immigrant parents. His family moved to Southfield in Metro Detroit in 1994. Growing up, his mother was a cashier and owner of a liquor store in Clinton Township, while his father worked as a butcher for various supermarkets. He was initially two classes shy of graduating from Wayne State University with a bachelor's in English and had been hoping to apply to law school before deciding to become a comedian. After his first professional role on Detroit 1-8-7, he moved to Los Angeles, California.[1]

Elia arrived in Hollywood in 2011 and immediately hit the ground running – creating and producing his own projects with money he saved while working late nights at a nightclub. Although he didn't have any solid Hollywood representation, he was still managing to audition for various TV shows and films from his savvy networking skills (Elia claims he auditioned for over 400 projects before booking his first high paying job: A National commercial for Honda). He soon began to see an influx of roles in television and film. When asked by The Arab American News about his struggles, Elia said “You have to take big risks. The people who take big risks are the ones who make it...Of course you're going to be scared, but what you do with that defines you as a human being.” [2]

Throughout his career, Elia has been vocal about his Iraqi and especially his Assyrian heritage, and the issues pressing his community in wake of violence in indigenous Assyrian lands in Iraq. He has also been vocal about the divisions that the Assyrian community faces, including among Chaldeans and Syriacs.[3]

Influences

Elia has previously cited his family (specifically his mother) as being one of the greatest influences in his life, due to her experiences in Iraq and her hard-working lifestyle in one of Michigan's many impoverish neighborhoods. In regard to his comedy, Elia has cited some of his closest partners, Matt Rife and Bassem Youssef, as people who have helped to strengthen his comedy career, including helping him to produce Detroit Player.

Personal life

Elia is currently based in Los Angeles, California. He has three brothers, who take professions in law, neurosurgery, and mortgage banking.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2010CornerStoreHassan Akrawi
2011Holly's HolidayDarryl
Exit 33Dax
Bad to the BoneJesus Hernandez
2012Divorce InvitationSam
2013Only in L.A.Hassan
2014Love in the Time of MonstersJim
The Brittany Murphy StoryCaller Director
2016DirtyDetective Jackson
In the Same GardenAnton
20172016Benton
The LandlordHeckler
2018StillwaterWillie
20202 Minutes of FameUber ManUncredited role
2022Who Killed Cooper Dunn?Willie

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009Skill CraneEugene
The HillJoey
2010ScourgeNorthmen Guard 2
Defying Deletion: The Fight over Iraq's Nineveh PlainsTerrorist
2011Dick and BrainCoffee Shop OwnerEpisode 1
Bluetooths for Better LivingHomeless Eddie
Detroit 1-8-7FBI Man #2Episode: "Blackout", Recurring cast member
The FinalistHarold Levy
2012The People Who Were Never ThereThe Man
2013VegasADEpisode: "Two of a Kind"
A FriendRalphy
Bad NewsMark
ABC Discovers: Los Angeles Talent Showcase
NamelessBullet #3
2014MixologyKevinEpisode: "Liv and Jim"
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.DiazEpisode: "Ragtag"
MistressesDelivery ManEpisode: "Friends with Benefits"
The Yellow AtticYusef Thabit
MentorPaul
2014-2016Absolutely Jason StuartHimselfRecurring guest
2015XanaduJoel
Serial Scoop NowHimselfEpisode: "6th Annual ISAs Red Carpet Show - Part 5"
The Perils of PostingHimself
2016Lady DynamiteBrian Episode: "I Love You"
Open House on BeverlyMr. Kashat
KnivesRay
No Other Like YouHim
2017Add-TVHimselfEpisode: "Episode 1.1"
Sremm BreakTrevor Norton
Major CrimesCharles GrayEpisode: "Shockwave: Part 2"
2018Broken MindsSamuel
Dry CitySeth
Laff Mobb's Laff TracksHimselfEpisode: "The Inappropriate Barber"
Sh#t I Love with Jason StuartHimselfEpisode: "Paul Elia"
2018-2020ConanVarious rolesRecurring cast, seasons 8-10
2019TMI HollywoodHimselfEpisode: "Paul Elia Hosts TMI Hollywood"
2020Doubting ThomasJon
RamyKalimEpisode: "Miakhalifa.mov"
Tournament of LaughsHimselfEpisode: "And A Round of 32 We Go, Part 1"
2021Cultural BlasphemyHimselfEpisode: "John Mayer is Overrated" & "The Titanic Was NOT Iconic"
2022We Need to Talk about AmericaHimself
2023All AT Once
Paul Elia: Detroit PlayerHimselfComedy special

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2011 Breakout Action Star – Male Bad to the Bone rowspan=2
2015 Best Writing (Comedy) Mentor

Notes and References

  1. News: February 21, 2024 . Detroit native Paul Elia inspiring youth to pursue their dreams . PIX11 News. April 21, 2024.
  2. News: August 22, 2014 . Detroit native Paul Elia inspiring youth to pursue their dreams . The Arab American News . April 21, 2024.
  3. News: March 15, 2024 . Paul Elia on breaking comedic barriers for Iraqi-Americans . ABC News . April 21, 2024.