"I am honored you hate me for what I truly am, but I would hate you for loving me for what I am not!"

Eslam Shams aka ESLAM The Comic was born in Iran. He was raised in Shiraz and Tehran until the 1979 Iranian Revolution took place. Then he left his beloved country for a better life and advancement in performing arts by coming to the USA. While in college, he majored in performing arts. During this time Eslam also focused on mixing traditional Middle Eastern customs with American stand up comedy in addition to acting. 

In 1988 Eslam moved from Gaithersburg, Maryland to Los Angeles. Before stand up comedy became his profession, Eslam attended numerous classes to perfect his craft, where he studied under the directions of now famous comics. 

The biggest comedy influences in Eslam’s life were Robin Williams, Jay Leno, George Carlin and John Leguizamo. He experienced his profession as an opening act through concerts, tours and various clubs. But the path to it was not an easy one. Eslam’s performances started at charity events where he shot straight from the hip which at times was a little too much to handle for the audience but just like great comics before him, the audience grew to love and understand him.

By then Eslam swept The Persian community and became a sensation among the Iranians and the Americans through his famous “You Might Be Persian” routine. Due to his uniqueness, he was featured on Persian television and magazine covers. One of his biggest achievements so far has been concert in Kodak Theater in Hollywood .

Today Eslam has reached a place where he has found his own personality through mixing Farsi and English better known as. Because of his unique style, he has been able to crossover into the international market and make non Persians as well.

Eslam believes in being down to earth, respectful and never forgetting where you came from is a foundation of what he calls an absolute true artist. The philosophy Eslam lives by everyday is "You don’t stop laughing because you got older. You got older because you stopped laughing so laugh it up. Be happy".