Noah: Trevor

: He was raised primarily by his mother and grandmother in the township of Soweto , where he navigated a multicultural world and learned to speak several languages, a skill that later became a cornerstone of his comedy. The Influence of His Mother

Trevor Noah ’s life is defined by his journey from being a "crime" under South Africa to becoming a global icon in comedy and political commentary. His story is most famously chronicled in his best-selling memoir, Born a Crime . Early Life & "Illegal" Birth

Trevor was born in 1984 to a , Patricia, and a White Swiss-German father , Robert. At the time, interracial relationships were illegal under the Immorality Act , making Trevor’s very existence a criminal act. Trevor Noah

Trevor often cites his mother, , as the hero of his life. She was fiercely independent, religious, and determined to give him a life beyond the limitations of apartheid.

: She famously threw Trevor out of a moving minibus to save them from a group of men who were threatening them. : He was raised primarily by his mother

Trevor began his career in South Africa as a television host and stand-up comedian before moving to the in 2011.

: Later in life, Patricia survived a horrific shooting by Trevor’s abusive stepfather, Abel. She was shot in the head but miraculously survived, a testament to her resilience. Rise to Global Stardom Early Life & "Illegal" Birth Trevor was born

: As a biracial child, he often had to be hidden from the police to avoid being taken away. His father would walk on the other side of the street from him in public, and his mother would pretend to be a maid to avoid suspicion.