Comedian and actor blending Detroit roots, Assyrian-Chaldean heritage, and sharp storytelling in the hit special “Detroit Player.”
Hometown
Detroit, MI, USA
Age
35-44
Paul Elia is an LA-based stand-up comedian, actor, and content creator from Detroit, Michigan, known for weaving his Iraqi Assyrian-Chaldean background into sharp, heartfelt comedy. One of the few Chaldean-Assyrians in Hollywood, he has appeared in dozens of television and film projects, including recurring sketch roles on TBS's Conan, as well as Ramy and Lady Dynamite, while steadily building a devoted online following with viral stand-up, sketches, and crowd-work clips. In 2024 he released his first stand-up special, Detroit Player, filmed in his hometown and celebrated as the first Iraqi-Assyrian American stand-up special, where he reflects on immigrant hustle, family, identity, and life in Metro Detroit. Offstage, Elia co-created and co-hosts the LowKey Comedy Show with Matt Rife, an influential independent LA showcase that has drawn major names in comedy and expanded his reach as a producer and curator. He frequently speaks with pride about Assyrian history and the Chaldean Catholic tradition he was raised in, using humor to challenge division and encourage unity within the broader community. By centering Assyrian and immigrant stories in mainstream stages, streaming platforms, and viral clips, Paul Elia offers representation that is both specific and widely relatable, inspiring young Assyrians to pursue creative careers without compromising who they are.
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Comedian and actor blending Detroit roots, Assyrian-Chaldean heritage, and sharp storytelling in the hit special “Detroit Player.”
Hometown
Detroit, MI, USA
Age
35-44
Paul Elia is an LA-based stand-up comedian, actor, and content creator from Detroit, Michigan, known for weaving his Iraqi Assyrian-Chaldean background into sharp, heartfelt comedy. One of the few Chaldean-Assyrians in Hollywood, he has appeared in dozens of television and film projects, including recurring sketch roles on TBS's Conan, as well as Ramy and Lady Dynamite, while steadily building a devoted online following with viral stand-up, sketches, and crowd-work clips. In 2024 he released his first stand-up special, Detroit Player, filmed in his hometown and celebrated as the first Iraqi-Assyrian American stand-up special, where he reflects on immigrant hustle, family, identity, and life in Metro Detroit. Offstage, Elia co-created and co-hosts the LowKey Comedy Show with Matt Rife, an influential independent LA showcase that has drawn major names in comedy and expanded his reach as a producer and curator. He frequently speaks with pride about Assyrian history and the Chaldean Catholic tradition he was raised in, using humor to challenge division and encourage unity within the broader community. By centering Assyrian and immigrant stories in mainstream stages, streaming platforms, and viral clips, Paul Elia offers representation that is both specific and widely relatable, inspiring young Assyrians to pursue creative careers without compromising who they are.
Discover related content and browse the community
