There is something beautifully comedic about being Lebanese. And it is absolutely no surprise at all that comedians with Lebanese roots use their Lebanese heritage all throughout their comedy and in their standup specials.
Susie Youssef does this brilliantly.
Susan began comedy writing in high school where she wrote her own plays. Her aim though was to become a teacher so she went into studying education.
That would come to change when a friend took her to an improvisational comedy show at Newtown’s Enmore Theatre, which sparked her serious interest in comedy.
She quit college to attend iO Chicago where she studied improvisational performance and comedy.
A descendant of Lebanese immigrants, Suzan Youssef grew up with five sisters and she often uses her family for comedy inspiration.
She began her comedy career as a writer for The Ronnie Johns Half Hour in 2006, and made her acting debut in the short film Clicked in the role of Lina in 2011.
In 2014, she played Jane in the short film Kevin Needs to Make New Friends: Because Everyone Hates Him for Some Reason. She then turned to television where she appeared in The Chaser’s Media Circus.
In 2014, she played the lead role of Sarah in the Hayloft Project’s stage play The Boat People for which she won the Best On Stage award at the FBi SMAC Awards in 2014.
She started performing improvisational comedy live just a few years ago. She made her solo debut in her sketch comedy show Sketchual Chocolate at the Melbourne and Sydney Comedy Festivals.
In 2015, she returned to the comedy festival circuit with her comedy show Owl Eyes On You and in 2016 made her debut in London and at the Edinburgh Fringe with her stand-up show Check Youssef Before You Wreck Youssef. She is part of the Improv Theatre Sydney ensemble.
In 2015, Susan Youssef appeared in other television series, including Community Kitchen, About Tonight, The Checkout, and Game Night.
She had recurring roles in the television comedy series How Not to Behave, Whose Line Is It Anyway? Australia, No Activity, and Rosehaven.
Susan also appeared in 2016 in a guest role in Here Come the Habibs, a widely popular television series that actually depicts a Lebanese-Australian family.
In 2017, Susan Youssef toured with her comedy show Behave Youssef. She has also been a guest on The Project, All Star Family Feud, Celebrity Name Game, Have You Been Paying Attention? and Hughesy, We Have a Problem.
If Lebanese people know how to do anything, it’s to have a good laugh.
