Maysoon Zayid — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Co-founded the New York Arab-American Comedy Festival in 2003
Known as one of America's first Muslim women comedians
Appeared on the soap opera As the World Turns for two years
Had a role in the 2008 Adam Sandler film You Don't Mess with the Zohan
Co-hosts the radio show Fann Majnoon (Crazy Art)
Her TED Talk has been viewed approximately 1 billion times
Earned a BFA in acting from Arizona State University

Biography

Maysoon Zayid is an American actress and comedian of Palestinian descent, born in New Jersey in 1974. She describes herself as "a Palestinian Muslim virgin with cerebral palsy, from New Jersey, who is an actress, comedian and activist." Zayid earned her BFA in acting from Arizona State University.

Zayid began her acting career with a two-year role on the soap opera *As the World Turns* and made guest appearances on *Law & Order*, *NBC Nightly News*, and *ABC's 20/20*.