How Trevor Noah built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Trevor Noah is a multifaceted South African entertainer, recognized as a comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host. Best known for hosting The Daily Show on Comedy Central from 2015 to 2022, he has garnered critical acclaim and numerous awards, including two Primetime Emmy Awards. His influence extends beyond entertainment; he was featured in The Hollywood Reporter's list of the most powerful people in New York media and Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world, highlighting his impact on media and popular culture.
2002: Early Career Roles
In 2002, Trevor Noah had a small role on the South African soap opera Isidingo and hosted his own radio show Noah's Ark on YFM.
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2004: Hosted Run the Adventure
From 2004, Trevor Noah hosted an educational TV programme, Run the Adventure on SABC 2.
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2006: End of Run the Adventure
In 2006, Trevor Noah ended his role as host of Run the Adventure.
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November 2007: Opened for Gabriel Iglesias
In November 2007, Trevor Noah was the opening act for American comedian Gabriel Iglesias during his South African tour.
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2007: Hosted The Real Goboza and Siyadlala
In 2007, Trevor Noah hosted The Real Goboza, a gossip-themed show on SABC 1, and Siyadlala, a sports show also on the SABC.
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2008: Career in South Africa
In 2008, Trevor Noah began his career in South Africa, taking on several hosting roles with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and becoming the runner-up in Strictly Come Dancing.
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2008: Co-hosted The Amazing Date and Strictly Come Dancing
In 2008, Trevor Noah cohosted The Amazing Date (a dating gameshow) and was a Strictly Come Dancing contestant.
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2009: Hosted the South Africa Film and Television Awards
In 2009, Trevor Noah hosted the 3rd Annual South Africa Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) and co-hosted The Axe Sweet Life.
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2009: The Daywalker
In 2009, Trevor Noah performed his stand-up comedy special The Daywalker in South Africa.
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2010: Host of Tonight with Trevor Noah
From 2010, Trevor Noah hosted Tonight with Trevor Noah, a late-night talk show that he created and aired on M-Net and DStv.
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2010: Hosted the South African Music Awards
In 2010, Trevor Noah hosted the 16th annual South African Music Awards and Tonight with Trevor Noah.
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2011: End of Tonight with Trevor Noah
In 2011, Trevor Noah ended his role as host of Tonight with Trevor Noah.
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2011: Crazy Normal
In 2011, Trevor Noah performed his stand-up comedy special Crazy Normal in South Africa.
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January 2012: The Tonight Show Appearance
In January 2012, Trevor Noah became the first South African stand-up comedian to appear on The Tonight Show.
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September 2012: Roastmaster
In September 2012, Noah was the Roastmaster in a Comedy Central Roast of South African Afrikaans singer Steve Hofmeyr.
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October 2012: Stand Up Revolution
In October 2012, He was the first comedian to premiere on the second season of Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand Up Revolution.
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2012: That's Racist
In 2012, Trevor Noah performed his stand-up comedy special That's Racist in South Africa.
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May 2013: Late Show with David Letterman Appearance
In May 2013, Trevor Noah became the first South African stand-up comedian to appear on Late Show with David Letterman.
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October 2013: Guest on QI
In October 2013, Trevor Noah was a guest on BBC Two's comedy panel show QI.
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November 2013: Panelist on 8 Out of 10 Cats
In November 2013, Trevor Noah was a panellist on Channel 4 game show 8 Out of 10 Cats.
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2013: It's My Culture
In 2013, Trevor Noah performed his stand-up comedy special It's My Culture in South Africa.
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December 2014: Recurring Contributor on The Daily Show
In December 2014, Trevor Noah became a recurring contributor on The Daily Show.
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2014: Senior International Correspondent for The Daily Show
In 2014, Trevor Noah became the Senior International Correspondent for The Daily Show.
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March 2015: Announced as Host of The Daily Show
In March 2015, Comedy Central announced that Trevor Noah would succeed Jon Stewart as host of The Daily Show.
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September 2015: Began Hosting The Daily Show
In September 2015, Trevor Noah began his tenure as host of The Daily Show.
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2015: Host of The Daily Show
In 2015, Trevor Noah became the host of The Daily Show, a satirical news program on Comedy Central.
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2015: Succeeded Jon Stewart as Host of The Daily Show
In 2015, Trevor Noah succeeded Jon Stewart as the host of The Daily Show.
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November 2016: Publication of Memoir
In November 2016, Trevor Noah's memoir Born a Crime was published.
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2016: Publication of Born a Crime
In 2016, Trevor Noah's autobiographical comedy book Born a Crime was published.
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April 2017: Began developing The Opposition with Jordan Klepper
In April 2017, Trevor Noah began developing a talk show for Jordan Klepper: The Opposition with Jordan Klepper.
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2017: Appearance on Nashville
In 2017, Trevor Noah made an appearance on the TV series Nashville.
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March 2018: Signed Multiyear Contract with Viacom
In March 2018, Trevor Noah signed a multiyear contract with Viacom, launching Day Zero Productions.
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April 2018: Launch of The Trevor Noah Foundation
In April 2018, Trevor Noah launched The Trevor Noah Foundation, an initiative focused on youth development through access to quality education.
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July 2018: Release of The Donald J. Trump Presidential Twitter Library
In July 2018, Trevor Noah and The Daily Show writing staff released The Donald J. Trump Presidential Twitter Library.
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May 2019: Executive-produced Klepper
In May 2019, Trevor Noah executive-produced Klepper, a primetime weekly docuseries.
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2019: Hosted for Luminary
In 2019, Trevor Noah hosted a podcast for Luminary.
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2020: Hosted for Luminary
In 2020, Trevor Noah continued to host a podcast for Luminary.
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2021: Hosted the Grammy Awards
In 2021, Trevor Noah hosted the Grammy Awards.
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2021: Hosted the Grammy Awards
In 2021, Trevor Noah hosted the Grammy Awards.
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September 2022: Announcement of Leaving The Daily Show
On 29 September 2022, Trevor Noah announced that he would be leaving The Daily Show at an undetermined future date.
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December 2022: Last Show on The Daily Show
In December 2022, it was confirmed that Trevor Noah's last show would be on 8 December 2022.
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2022: Extended Contract as Host of The Daily Show through 2022
Comedy Central extended Trevor Noah's contract as host of The Daily Show through 2022.
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2022: Hosted the Grammy Awards and White House Correspondents Dinner
In 2022, Trevor Noah hosted the Grammy Awards and the White House Correspondents Dinner.
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2022: End of the Daily Show
In 2022, Trevor Noah left his role as host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central after seven years.
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2022: Served as Host of the White House Correspondents' Dinner
In 2022, Trevor Noah served as host of the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
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June 2023: Announcement of Spotify Podcast
In June 2023, it was announced that Trevor Noah would launch a weekly Spotify original podcast.
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2023: Hosted the Grammy Awards
In 2023, Trevor Noah hosted the Grammy Awards.
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2023: Hosted the Grammy Awards
In 2023, Trevor Noah hosted the Grammy Awards.
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2024: Fortnite Collaboration
In 2024, Trevor Noah collaborated with Epic Fortnite to feature JokeNite, an island that features stand-up performances.
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2024: Hosted the Grammy Awards
In 2024, Trevor Noah hosted the Grammy Awards.
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2024: Hosted the Grammy Awards
In 2024, Trevor Noah hosted the Grammy Awards.
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2025: Hosted the Grammy Awards
In 2025, Trevor Noah hosted the Grammy Awards.
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2025: Hosted the Grammy Awards
In 2025, Trevor Noah hosted the Grammy Awards.
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