PARKS AND RECREATION STAR: WHERE IS AZIZ ANSARI NOW?

Many people knew Aziz Ansari as a comedian for many years, thanks to his quick wit, lively stage presence and unforgettable role as—Tom Haverford on NBC‘s hit show “Parks and Recreation.” But in 2018, a scandal could have stopped his career from going in the right direction. In that case, where is Aziz Ansari now? Let’s look at his whole life from his childhood to the heights of his career, the accusations that hurt his reputation and where he is now.

Born on February 23, 1983, in Columbia, South Carolina, Aziz Ismail Ansari is the son of Indian parents who moved there from Tamil Nadu.  His mother, Fatima, is an obstetrician and gynecologist, while his father, Shoukath, is a gastroenterologist. He grew up in Bennettsville, South Carolina, and attended Marlboro Academy before moving on to the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics.

After high school, Ansari pursued a degree in marketing at the New York University Stern School of Business. However, his passion for comedy quickly took over. While studying in New York City, he frequently performed stand-up at local comedy clubs and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. His talent caught the attention of Rolling Stone magazine in 2005 when they named him their “Hot Standup.”

It was 2007 when Ansari got his big break when he co-created and starred in the MTV sketch comedy show “Human Giant.” The success of the show opened doors for him, and in 2009 he got a part on “Parks and Recreation.”

From 2009 to 2015, Ansari played Tom Haverford on “Parks and Recreation.” He was an ambitious, smooth-talking and often funny businessman. Many people liked his performance, which made him a fan favorite. Along with his funny style and unique catchphrases and businesses (like “Rent-A-Swag”), he became a standout in the series.

During this time, Ansari also became known for his stand-up specials, such as “Dangerously Delicious” (2012) and “Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening” (2010). People liked his observational humor, which he used to talk about things like relationships, culture, and modern romance.

Ansari co-created, wrote, and starred in the critically acclaimed Netflix show “Master of None” in 2015. The semi-autobiographical show was about identity, relationships, and family. It won him a lot of praise, including two Emmys and a Golden Globe, which was the first award ever given to an Asian American actor for a lead role on TV.

Many people liked how the show told stories and how it took a unique approach to telling different kinds of stories. He is one of the most original voices in comedy because he can combine funny stories with deep, emotional ones.

That changed quickly for Ansari, though, when a woman accused him of sexual misconduct in 2018. The accusations were made public by Babe.net in an article about a tense meeting between the comedian and an unknown woman. Accusations like these were not crimes, but they were a big topic of conversation during the height of the #MeToo movement.

According to Ansari, the encounter was “completely consensual,” and he was sorry that the woman felt uncomfortable. People had different opinions about the controversy. Some thought he was unfairly criticized, while others said his actions showed deeper problems with consent.

Serena Skov Campbell is a Danish forensic data scientist who Azizi married in June 2022. The small ceremony took place in Tuscany, Italy and about 120 people, including actor Riz Ahmed, were there. ​

The two met in London around 2018 and went on dates for four years before getting engaged in December 2021. She is a senior associate at PwC in London— where she works in the investigative analytics forensics department. ​

As of right now, not much is known about their married life because both Aziz and Serena have kept their personal lives private.​ But Ansari does talk about her in some of his stand-up shows.

Ansari stayed out of the public eye for a year after the controversy. In 2019, he came back with Spike Jonze’s Netflix special “Aziz Ansari: Right Now.” In the special, he talked about the accusations in a thoughtful and sad way, saying that the experience had helped him grow.

He kept doing comedy work, and in 2022, he released another Netflix special called “Aziz Ansari: Nightclub Comedian.” He also directed and starred in “Master of None Presents: Moments in Love,” a stripped-down continuation of his popular show that focused on Lena Waithe’s character Denise.

As of 2025, Ansari is still doing comedy, but he does it in a less public way. He still goes on tour and does stand-up, but he doesn’t get as much attention from mainstream audiences as he used to. His most recent writing has been more personal, focusing on growth and observations about culture.

Some of his fans have moved on from the scandal, but others are still calling him out for not being responsible. People on social media are still having different opinions about his return to comedy. Ansari has kept up a steady career, focusing on projects that happen behind the scenes as well as his work on stage.

Ansari’s life has had both good and bad times. His career is still talked about, from when he was a comedy star to when he faced criticism and made a cautious comeback. He may not be as well-known as he used to be, but he still performs, makes art, and grows as an artist.

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