Trevor Noah is a South African comedian, actor, and television host who has significantly impacted the entertainment industry with his sharp wit and insightful humor. Noah’s rise to international fame began when he succeeded Jon Stewart as “The Daily Show” host in 2015. His unique perspective as a biracial individual growing up during apartheid in South Africa has provided him with a wealth of material that he skillfully incorporates into his comedy. With a charismatic and engaging stage presence, Noah has become known for his ability to tackle complex social and political issues with humor, making him a prominent voice in contemporary comedy and an influential figure in late-night television.
Content of this Article
- Trevor Noah’s Appearance
- Facts About Trevor Noah
- Trevor Noah’s Net Worth
- Early Life
- Trevor Noah’s Family
- Trevor Noah’s Career
- Trevor Noah’s Controversy
- Trevor Noah’s Real Estate
Trevor Noah’s Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)
| Height | 5 ft 11 in
1.81 m |
| Weight | 165 pounds
75 kg |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Body Type | Average |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Facts About Trevor Noah
| Nationality | South African |
| Estimated Net Worth | $100 million |
| Religion | NA |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Birthplace | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Birthday | February 20, 1984 |
Trevor Noah’s Net Worth
As of 2023, Trevor Noah’s net worth is approximately $100 million. After gaining fame in international stand-up comedy, Noah hit the big time in 2015. That’s when he was chosen by Jon Stewart himself to take over as the host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.” Fast forward to September 2022, and Noah revealed that he was calling it quits after seven years of hosting the show.
During Noah’s initial years hosting “The Daily Show,” he earned a modest salary of $5-8 million, much less than Stewart, who made over $25 million. However, in September 2017, Noah inked a lucrative contract extension with Viacom, the parent company of Comedy Central. This new deal substantially increased his yearly earnings to $16 million.
Early Life
Trevor Noah was born on February 20, 1984, in Johannesburg, South Africa. His father, Robert, is of Swiss-German descent, while his mother, Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah, is Xhosa.
Under apartheid laws, Noah’s mother was officially categorized as Black, while his father was classified as White. Noah himself was categorized as Coloured. His parents’ interracial relationship was illegal when he was born, which he emphasizes in his autobiography.
However, a year after his birth, in 1985, the Immorality Act was amended, decriminalizing interracial sexual relations and marriages. Noah was raised by his mother and his grandmother, Nomalizo Frances Noah, in the black township of Soweto.
Education
Trevor Noah started his education at Maryvale College, a private Roman Catholic school in Maryvale, Gauteng, a suburb of Johannesburg.
Trevor Noah’s Family
In 1992, Trevor Noah’s mother, Patricia, married Ngisaveni Abel Shingange, and they had two sons together. Unfortunately, Shingange physically abused Noah and his mother, leading to their legal divorce in 1996.
In 2009, Patricia married Sfiso Khoza, but a troubling incident occurred when Shingange shot her. She survived this traumatic event because the bullet passed through the base of her head, missing the spinal cord, brain, and major nerves and blood vessels. It exited with only minor damage to her nostril.
When Noah confronted Shingange over the phone about the shooting, Shingange threatened Noah’s life. This threat prompted Noah to leave Johannesburg and relocate to Los Angeles.
In 2011, Shingange was found guilty of attempted murder and received a three-year correctional supervision sentence the following year. Noah hoped the incident’s publicity would shed light on the larger problem of domestic violence in South Africa.
Trevor Noah’s Career
In 2002, Trevor Noah had a small role in an episode of the South African soap opera called “Isidingo.” He then hosted his “Noah’s Ark” radio show on YFM, Gauteng’s top youth radio station. When he was 21 years old, Noah was dared by his friends to perform a comedy routine at a nightclub. He accepted the challenge and entertained the audience with funny stories about his life and friends. This performance marked the beginning of his comedy journey, and he continued to perform at various comedy clubs, gradually gaining recognition.
As his comedy career took off, Noah decided to focus solely on comedy, leaving behind his radio show and acting gigs. Along the way, he had the opportunity to perform alongside notable South African comedians such as David Kau, Kagiso Lediga, Riaad Moosa, Darren Simpson, Marc Lottering, Barry Hilton, and Nik Rabinowitz. Additionally, he shared the stage with international comedians like Paul Rodriguez, Carl Barron, Dan Ilic, and Paul Zerdin. Notably, he served as the opening act for American comedian Gabriel Iglesias in November 2007 and Canadian comedian Russell Peters during his South African tour.
In 2011, Noah made a big move to the United States. The following year, in January 2012, he achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first South African stand-up comedian to appear on “The Tonight Show.” Then, in May 2013, he made history again as the first South African comedian to appear on “Late Show with David Letterman.”
During this time, Noah’s journey was documented in the 2012 film titled “You Laugh But It’s True.” In the same year, he starred in a one-man comedy show called “Trevor Noah: The Racist,” which was based on his South African special with a similar title, “That’s Racist.”
In September 2012, Noah served as the Roastmaster in a “Comedy Central Roast” of South African Afrikaans singer Steve Hofmeyr. In 2013, he performed a comedy special called “Trevor Noah: African American.”
Noah’s comedic talents also took him to British television, where he appeared as a guest on BBC Two’s comedy panel show “QI” in October 2013. He continued to appear on British television, joining the panel on Channel 4’s game show “8 Out of 10 Cats” in November 2013 and participating on Sean Lock’s team in “8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown” in September 2014.
The Daily Show
In December 2014, Trevor Noah regularly appeared on “The Daily Show.” In March 2015, Comedy Central announced that Noah would be taking over as the host of “The Daily Show,” succeeding Jon Stewart. His tenure officially began on September 28, 2015.
However, after Noah took over from Stewart, the show experienced a 37% drop in viewership, and its Nielsen ratings fell behind several other shows hosted by former “Daily Show” hosts. Nevertheless, Comedy Central’s president noted that under Noah’s hosting, “The Daily Show” became the top show for millennials.
By 2017, the nightly viewership had dropped to less than half of what it was during Stewart’s time as host. Still, the show maintained a solid viewership among millennials. Because of this, Comedy Central extended Noah’s contract as the host of “The Daily Show” through 2022. Additionally, Noah would continue to produce and host annual end-of-year specials for Comedy Central.
Books
Trevor Noah’s memoir, “Born a Crime,” was published in November 2016 and received positive reviews from prominent U.S. book critics. The book primarily revolves around the author’s relationship with his mother, with his European father mentioned only occasionally.
“Born a Crime” succeeded significantly, reaching the No. 1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller list. It was also recognized as one of the year’s top books by publications such as The New York Times, Newsday, Esquire, NPR, and Booklist.
Additionally, it was announced that a film adaptation based on the book would feature Lupita Nyong’o as Trevor Noah’s mother.
Trevor Noah’s Controversy
After Trevor Noah was announced as Jon Stewart’s successor on “The Daily Show,” the internet dug up some old jokes from his Twitter account. Some of these jokes were criticized for being offensive to women, while others were seen as antisemitic or making light of the Holocaust.
In response, Noah took to Twitter and stated, “To reduce my views to a handful of jokes that didn’t land is not a true reflection of my character, nor my evolution as a comedian.” Comedy Central supported Noah and stood by him.
Mary Kluk, the chairperson of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD), commented that the jokes were not indicative of anti-Jewish prejudice but simply part of Noah’s comedic style.
However, Noah faced additional criticism when old video clips resurfaced, showing him making jokes about Aboriginal women and the Marikana massacre in his previous stand-up routines.
Trevor Noah’s Real Estate
In January 2019, Trevor Noah made headlines by purchasing a lavish mansion in the Bel-Air neighborhood of Los Angeles. The price tag for this impressive property was a reported $20 million. The estate is quite spacious, covering 10,044 square feet over two stories, and it boasts five bedrooms and eight bathrooms.
One of the standout features of this mansion is the expansive main bedroom suite, which alone measures a whopping 2,200 square feet. Additionally, the property includes luxurious amenities such as an infinity-edge swimming pool, a private home movie theater, and a 500-gallon saltwater aquarium. For any special guests visiting Noah in Bel-Air, there’s even an “ultra-private VIP suite” to accommodate them.
Less than two years after buying the abovementioned home for $20.5 million, Noah sold it in September 2020 for $21.5 million. In 2017, he purchased a Manhattan duplex for $10.1 million, which served as his main residence while hosting “The Daily Show.”
In October 2022, Noah listed this Manhattan property for $12.95 million. The 3,600-square-foot apartment has a private terrace with a plunge pool and a screening room.
In January 2021, Noah bought a house in Bel-Air for $27.5 million. Surprisingly, just ten months later, in October 2021, he put this same house on the market for $30 million. Then, in March 2022, Noah sold the house to Travis Vanderzanden, the founder of Bird Scooters.
Additionally, Noah reportedly owns several properties in his native South Africa. This includes an apartment in Cape Town and a house in the suburbs of Johannesburg.
Net Worth of Other Notable TV Hosts
Steve Harvey’s Net Worth
Steve Harvey, the renowned American comedian, actor, and television host, is famed for his engaging charisma and sharp humor. Originating from humble beginnings in Welch, West Virginia, Harvey transformed his challenging past into a series of successes, from standup comedy to hosting iconic television shows such as “Family Feud” and “The Steve Harvey Show.” His multifaceted career has spanned boxing, autoworking, and even enduring homelessness, leading him to numerous television and movie roles and solidifying his position as a comedic powerhouse. Despite some controversies, Harvey’s indomitable spirit, combined with his contributions to entertainment, has culminated in an impressive legacy. As of 2023, Steve Harvey’s net worth is estimated at around $200 million.
Wendy Williams’ Net Worth
Wendy Williams, the renowned American television host, radio personality, and author, earned acclaim for her outspoken approach on “The Wendy Williams Show.” For over a decade, her candid discussions on celebrity gossip, pop culture, and trending topics set her apart in entertainment journalism. Beyond her show, Williams has delved into various facets of entertainment, including books, film appearances, and other television roles. Notably, she has faced controversies, particularly for her remarks and interactions with celebrities. On the personal front, Williams’ tumultuous relationships and family life have been topics of public interest. Her financial achievements are notable, with Wendy Williams’ net worth estimated at around $20 million.