Lori talks to funnyman Aziz Ansari (“Parks and Recreation,” “Master of None”) about his film “Good Fortune,” a comedy that he starred, produced, wrote, and directed.
Aziz Ansari (2025)
SIDEWALKS host Lori Rosales interviews actor, comedian and filmmaker Aziz Ansari about starring, directing, writing, and producing the comedy film, “Good Fortune.”
PLEASE NOTE: This online version of the interview is slightly different than how it appeared on the TV episode with segments rearranged. Promotional clips have been removed from the on-line interview.
Read our J.P.’s review on the comedy “Good Fortune.”
Mini-Biography:
Born on February 23, 1983, in Columbia, South Carolina, Aziz Ansari plays Arj in “Good Fortune,” a comedy that he directed (his feature film directorial debut), wrote and produced. He began his career in stand-up comedy and sketch programs such as MTV’s “Human Giant.” He had recurring roles in “Reno 911!” and “Scrubs” before gaining widespread acclaim for his role as Tom Haverford on the NBC sitcom “Parks and Recreation.” Ansari subsequently co-created, wrote, directed, and performed in the Netflix series, “Master of None,” for which he received two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for Best Actor, making him the first Asian-American actor to achieve the latter accolade in a television comedy. Some of his film credits are “Get Him to the Greek,” “This Is the End,” “Funny People,” “I Love You, Man,” “Observe and Report,” and “30 Minutes or Less,” as well as voicing in animated features like “Ice Age: Continental Drift” and “The Bob’s Burgers Movie.” Ansari has released several stand-up specials on Netflix, including “Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening,” “Dangerously Delicious,” “Buried Alive,” “Live at Madison Square Garden,” “Right Now,” and “Nightclub Comedian.” Additionally, Ansari is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Modern Romance: An Investigation,” which he co-authored with sociologist Eric Klinenberg.
| Aziz Ansari | IMDB | Official Site | |
| Good Fortune | Official Site | IMDB | Wikipedia |
Interview Credits:
- Recorded: October 15, 2025
- Host / Producer: Lori Rosales
- Editor: Richard R. Lee
- Special Thanks To: Lionsgate, Media Capital Technologies
Film Synopsis:
In GOOD FORTUNE, a well-meaning but rather inept angel named Gabriel (Keanu Reeves) meddles in the lives of a struggling gig worker (Aziz Ansari) and a wealthy venture capitalist (Seth Rogen).
Lionsgate presents, in association with Media Capital Technologies, a Garam Films / Keep Your Head / Yang Pictures production.
- Written and Directed by: Aziz Ansari
- Produced by: Aziz Ansari, p.g.a., Anthony Katagas, p.g.a., Alan Yang, p.g.a.
- Executive Producers: Aniz Adam Ansari, Jonathan McCoy, Christopher Woodrow, Connor DiGregorio
- Cast: Seth Rogen, Aziz Ansari, Keke Palmer, with Sandra Oh, and Keanu Reeves