Merlin Iman

Merlin Iman: https://youtu.be/-pkgduUliIQ

LA Casting: https://www.lacasting.com/MerlinIman

Merlin's Stand Up Comedy career was already established opening with the likes of Chris Rock, B Coles, Gottfried, Tracy Morgan, Shane, Lisa Lampanelli, Dave Chappelle, Damon Wayans and closing the Triad Theater in NYC all the way back to 2003 titled, Jeff Beacher Comedy Mad House. Merlin graduated top of his 2002 class from American Comedy Institute for Sitcom Writing Sketch Comedy coached under Steven Rosenfield. With Steven Rosenfield as a comedy coach and mentor, Merlin performed on the biggest stages in NYC, Atlanta, LA, Chicago, Charlotte, and, Sydney, Australia.

What other performers spend years trying to accomplish, Merlin did in his first year as a Stand Up Comic. Acting and performing for international venues. Landing him the coveted feature role on Last Comic Standing in 2003. Merlin had the honor to open for Morris Day and the Time in 2015 in the Chicago-land area with a spectacular show performance for the sold-out theater.

Merlin's career began as the Host of Eyes On Hip-Hop where he interviewed up and coming Hip Hop Artists, Professional Athletes, and DJs. Eyes On Hip-Hop was successful well before MTV Cribs, BET 106 & Park, VLAD, and TMZ proving the concept of the show others later copied. Others ran with our concept of Backstage Concert Interviews, In-House / Mansion Interviews, On the Street Interviews, Behind the Scene Interviews, etc. Through this very successful venture spanning over 5 years he got to know today's moguls of the entertainment world intimately showing them in their best light.

In 2002 Merlin performed at Liza Minnelli Pre-Wedding Party at Denise Eisenberg Rich's penthouse performing in front of Political, Celebrity, and Entertainment Moguls.

Featured on NBC's Last Comic Standing and covering all the top Comedy stages. Merlin was a Featured regular on Fox Studios Comedy Store in Sydney, Australia.

Like other multi-threat entertainer's Merlin also has a tremendous talent in Music performing a multi-city tour throughout Brazil in 2008 as the Headliner Hip Hop Artist and ending the tour at RioFest 2008 to a crowd of over 150K.

His personal friendships with Marcus Schenkenberg and Sheldon Souray gave him the opportunity to experience The Jersey Devils' three Stanley Cup championships where Souray, being the star player, organized will call tickets to sit with Danny Aiello in the box seats and then celebrate the championship wins drinking champagne from the Stanley Cup. Merlin then designed the leather coats for the Jersey Devils 2000 Stanley Cup NHL win.

Merlin has accumulated: 5 Film credits 10 TV credits 16 Stage credits 8 Hosting credits 1 Production Company 1 Album 1 Hip Hop Headliner Tour 1 Designer Label 15+ Paintings Numerous SCRIPTS in the works DIRECTOR of an upcoming controversial Documentary Ongoing YouTube channel continually updated with array of talents.

Recently, relocating to Los Angeles from Chicago where he was featured in several television series. Just before moving to LA from Chicago, he worked on the Pilot, 1st and 2nd season of EMPIRE with Lee Daniels and Danny Strong. This credit alone will open the doors for success as we've seen with the rest of the cast of EMPIRE. Lee Daniels is known for skyrocketing talent and mentoring their progress and success. Merlin's career trajectory is directly in line with Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart, Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, and Bryshere Gray.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: Merlin Iman

Merlin Iman Comedian ** Actor ** Show Host/Emcee ** Sketch Comedy Writer ** Video Editor ** Hip Hop Artist / Beat Producer ** Painter/Artist

Merlin is an Actor Triple-Threat-Plus.

Actor: Cast on Empire, on Fox, Pilot, 1st & 2nd Seasons, Merlin is dynamic in both comedy and drama roles. He made his rounds on Chicago-based series: Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Sirens, etc.

Just before moving to LA from Chicago, he flexed his talent in Chicago being truly blessed to work with Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Dick Wolf, Richie Keen, Michael Blieden and so many more at the top of their game. These credits alone are opening the doors for success. Lee Daniels is a true champion known for skyrocketing talent and mentoring their progress and success.

Merlin's career trajectory is directly in line with Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart, Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, and Bryshere Gray.

Credits (short list): **Film** Dirty Laundry Streets Is Watching Random Hearts Slap Box Kings Pollution from Tomato factory

**TV** Empire Chicago PD Sirens Crisis Chicago Fire Mind Games Last Comic Standing Blind Date David Blaine Special Eye's On Hip Hop

Show Host/Emcee: Merlin's career began as the Host of Eyes On Hip Hop where he interviewed up and coming Hip Hop Artists, Professional Athletes, and DJs. Eyes On Hip Hop was successful well before MTV Cribs, BET 106 & Park, VLAD, and TMZ proving the concept of the show others later copied.

Others ran with our concept of Backstage Concert Interviews, In-House / Mansion Interviews, On the Street Interviews, Behind the Scene Interviews, etc. Through this very successful venture spanning over 5 years he got to know todays' moguls of the entertainment world intimately showing them in their best light.

In 2002 Merlin performed at Liza Minnelli Pre-Wedding Party at Denise Eisenberg Rich's penthouse performing in front of Political, Celebrity, and Moguls.

Merlin networked himself into traveling to Italy for the Host of the Giuseppe De Biaisi documentary film on the pollution from the tomato factories in Angri.

Comedian: Merlin's comedy was featured on NBC's Last Comic Standing. Fox Studios Comedy Store in Sydney, Australia signed Merlin as a Feature.

Merlin's Stand Up Comedy career was already established opening with the likes of Chris Rock, B Coles, Gottfried, Tracy Morgan, Shane, Lisa Lampanelli, Dave Chappelle, Damon Wayans and closing the Triad Theater, NYC in 2003 titled, Jeff Beacher Comedy Mad House. He Graduated top of his 2002 class from American Comedy Institute for Sitcom Writing Sketch Comedy coach by Stephen Rosenfield. [Reach out to Stephen Rosenfield, Director of the American Comedy Institute & Coach: (212) 279-6980.] With Steven Rosenfield as a comedy coach and mentor, Merlin performed on the biggest stages in NYC, Atlanta, LA, Chicago, Charlotte, Italy, Brazil, and Sydney, Australia.

What other performers spend years trying to accomplish, Merlin did in his first year as a Stand Up Comic. Acting and performing for international venues; landing him the coveted feature role on Last Comic Standing in 2003. He opened for Morris Day & the Time in 2015 for the Chicago-land area with a spectacular show performance for the sold-out theater.

Throughout his career he has been blessed to have shared the stage with the best in Comedy.

Hip Hop Artist & Beat Producer: Merlin performed under the name YO "M"!

Like other multi-threat entertainer's Merlin also has a tremendous talent in Music performing a multi-city tour across Brazil in 2008 as the Headliner Hip Hop Artist and ending the tour at RioFest 2008 to a crowd of over 150K.

Taking a break from the comedy stage, Merlin went to Brazil in 2009. While chillin' on Copacabana Beach a show Promoter offered him studio time if he could rap. He stayed up through the night writing 13 songs in roughly 10 hours assuming he was writing for another performer.

He was then asked to create beats because of his past experience as a drummer in church. In about three days Merlin went to the studio to deliver the beats and lyrics. The Promoter then shared the studio to review Merlin's work and only then did Merlin realize they wanted him to be the performer - a Rap Artist. In just 6 hours behind the mic, Merlin had completed 13 tracks (unpolished). His only experience up to this point was during his high school years, Merlin won a Rap Contest put on by the local community.

Within two weeks the Promoter organized a music tour performing from Rio de Janeiro to Florianopolis and major cities in between.

Merlin's following created such a buzz that he landed a spot performing at RioFest 2008, a major festival during Carnival that brings in over 2 million people from around the world.

Painter/Artist: At the age of 11, Merlin was immediately recognized for his talent. He painted two Roman soldiers sword fighting up the outer side staircase of a castle. His teacher was extremely impressed by the work and contacted his parents--asking for permission to have him professionally interviewed by the local media.

The next day at elementary school (Roosevelt Elementary School, New Brunswick, NJ.) Merlin was accompanied by his parents; assuming he did something wrong because his parents were escorting to school. When he entered his art class, the room was filled with reporters/cameramen from The Home Newspaper. They interviewed him asking why I painted these two soldiers sword fighting up a staircase. His answer, "I thought of my future and the struggle I would have to experience being a person of color. I've seen the struggle my parents have went through trying to make sure we have food on our table and clothes on our back." At a young age Merlin observed sacrifice his parents were making and how overwhelming it was. The emotions from what he said as an 11 year old touched them in a way that the room went silent.

The article received front page recognition in the Lifestyle section of "The Home" newspaper in New Brunswick. The teachers and community also held a ceremony for Merlin Iman's art to be placed prominently in the local Library forever (or at least until Merlin would return to the Library just before his 50th birthday and find it wasn't there and was nowhere to be found. If you have any leads in finding the missing art, please DM Merlin or his manager!)

Currently, Merlin still creates art in many styles including pieces inspired by Andy Warhol, Basquiat, Ernie Barnes, & Picasso. In vivid color and detail he paints reproductions of the highest selling artists at Sotheby's.

Fashion Design: Merlin designed the leather coats for the Jersey Devils 2000 Stanley Cup NHL win.

His personal friendships with Marcus Schenkenberg and Sheldon Souray gave him the opportunity to experience The Jersey Devils' three Stanley Cup championships where Souray, being the star player, organized will call tickets to sit with Danny Aiello in the box seats and then celebrate the championship wins drinking champagne from the Stanley Cup.

Merlin Iman established a fashion brand label called "M Zeek NY" with his take on the hot new trends in NYC.

Recently, relocating to Los Angeles from Chicago where he was featured in several television series. Just before moving to LA from Chicago, he worked on the Pilot, 1st and 2nd season of Empire with Lee Daniels and Danny Strong. This credit alone will open the doors for success as we've seen with the rest of the cast of Empire. Lee Daniels is known for skyrocketing talent and mentoring their progress and success.

Merlin's career trajectory is directly in line with Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart, Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, and Bryshere Gray.

Credits 5 Film 10 TV 16 Stage 8 Hosting 1 Production Company 1 Album 1 Hip Hop Headliner Tour - Brazil 1 Designer Label 15+ Paintings