STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS Actor Set to Take the Show on the Road With New Comedy Tour

Images: Paramount+ / Abbas Wahab’s LinkedIn page.

NOVEMBER 3, 2023 - Canadian comedian and actor Abbas Wahab, known for his roles in The Boys and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, is set to explore 'strange new worlds' of his own during a comedy tour across Saskatchewan. Wahab, along with Sask's Braydon Lynch, is a part of the Canadian Famous comedy tour, which promises to bring laughter and fresh perspectives to the Prairie province.

“I’ve gone all over (Canada) pretty much … but I have not gone to Saskatchewan,” Wahab said. “I can’t wait. I’m going to be like, ‘I might be the only black guy here, but let’s find out.’”

Wahab’s humor often reflects his experiences and the places he visits, so Saskatchewan might soon find itself a part of his comedy repertoire.

Born in Sudan and raised in Canada from the age of six, Wahab made Toronto his home after a stint as an automotive engineer in Detroit. He effortlessly weaves his diverse life experiences, from corporate escapades to personal anecdotes, into his stand-up routines. His heritage also plays a significant role in his humor.

“My full name is Abbas Ali Hussein Abdel Wahab, but a lawyer advised me to drop the Bin Laden ones in the middle, just so I can fly easily,” he said with a laugh. 

Wahab’s receding hairline is another self-deprecating subject in his comedy. He humorously titled his recent tour "Gracefully Balding," which he jokingly describes as a fundraiser for a hair transplant in Turkey.

Eight years into his comedy career, Wahab ventured into acting, landing roles in acclaimed shows like The Boys, Children Ruin Everything, What We Do in the Shadows, and The Handmaid’s Tale. 

“I’m no Marlon Brando but I’m putting my foot in there a little bit at a time,” he said. “I moved to Toronto to pretty much commit myself fully to the grind of doing this whole thing. I just did my first movie where I have lines last week [M. Night Shyamalan’s latest thriller, Good Grades]. I’ve got one scene but, hey, I’ve got some lines. I’m not just in the background anymore.”

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Wahab portrayed a Klingon, an experience he describes as both challenging and claustrophobic due to the extensive make-up requirements.

“They pour a mold over you that covers your ears,” he said. “(You spend) hours in it waiting for it to harden. It’s pretty jarring, to be honest, but at the end it looked pretty cool.”

While acting is a significant part of his career, stand-up comedy remains his primary focus. Wahab’s partnership with Braydon Lynch began at a fringe festival in Scotland, leading to their current Canadian tour. Lynch, hailing from Kindersley, is the founder of Toronto-based Cowbell Comedy and the brain behind the Canadian Famous tour.