7 Things to Know About Trevor Noah, Your New The Daily Show Host

Get to know the man taking over for Jon Stewart!

By Sydney Bucksbaum Mar 30, 2015 8:30 PMTags
Trevor Noah, The Daily ShowByron Keulemans/Comedy Central

As one era ends, another begins on The Daily Show!

Comedy Central announced earlier this morning that Trevor Noah is set to take over for Jon Stewart as the host of the long-running news show. The 31-year-old made his debut as a contributor in December, and just a few short months later he's going to take over the whole darn thing! Now that's a Cinderella story.

"It's an honor to follow Jon Stewart," Noah said in a statement. "He and the team at The Daily Show have created an incredible show whose impact is felt all over the world. In my brief time with the show they've made me feel so welcome. I'm excited to get started and work with such a fantastic group of people."

Noah even has long-running host Stewart's stamp of approval!

"I'm thrilled for the show and for Trevor," Stewart said in a statement to press. "He's a tremendous comic and talent that we've loved working with...In fact, I may rejoin as a correspondent just to be a part of it!!!"

No timeline for Stewart's exit and Noah's debut have been announced, but get to know the new host now before he takes over the lead role on The Daily Show:

1. Noah is a South African native, and his mother Selena and his father Robert Noah's relationship was illegal at the time of Noah's birth as his mother is a black South African and his father is white. As a result, his mother was jailed and fined by the South African government. His experiences growing up with a mixed-race heritage are a heavy influence in his comedy.

2. While Noah will be a new face for many US viewers, he's no rookie in the late-night talk show realm. He has hosted many TV shows in his home country, including two seasons of his own late-night talk show, Tonight With Trevor Noah. The comedian has also had his own Showtime special, Trevor Noah: African American.

3. Noah's first US TV gig was back in 2012 on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. He appeared in three episodes as a guest comic, the first South African comic to appear on the show.

4. He also appeared on Chelsea Lately for an episode later in 2012 as well as The Late Show With David Letterman in 2013.

5. Noah's resume boasts a long list of documentaries he wrote, produced and starred in, like Trevor Noah: The Daywalker, Trevor Noah: Crazy Normal, Trevor Noah: That's Racist, and many more. You can see Trevor Noah: African American on Netflix now.

6. He does a mean selfie. Just look at his Facebook page. Selfies galore! And with members of One Direction!

7.  Noah once performed for the royal family as part of The Royal Variety Performances. His year also included Bette Midler, Dame Shirley Bassey, Demi Lovato and Ed Sheeran.

The Daily Show airs weeknights at 11 p.m. on Comedy Central.