‘Deported’ Comic Russell Peters Doesn’t Fear Being Sent Home Under Trump: “They’d Be Damn Foolish to Get Rid of Me”

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Comedy sensation Russell Peters remains undeterred by the possibility of being sent back to Canada, his homeland, from his residence in Los Angeles, despite the administration of former President Donald Trump.

To put it simply, considering the taxes I pay in that nation, it would be quite unwise for them to expel me. Such a decision would undeniably be a poor business choice, especially given that the country operates like a corporation. This logic, however, may not always be followed,” said the Canadian comedian of Anglo-Indian heritage, explaining his thoughts during a break in his global ‘Relax’ tour in Amsterdam, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Despite his past performances that focused on the contentious topic of immigration, Peters remains unfazed by the possibility of being deported from the US during Trump’s second term as president, given that he is a legal immigrant.

So, what’s next? Are they planning to send me back to Canada? Hooray for them! They’re missing out. I, on the other hand, am excited to go back home. That’s my perspective,” the individual from Brampton, Ontario, remarks. Peters is set to return to Canada in July for the upcoming Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal.

The iconic Hollywood comedy showcase, previously renowned for its status, is making a comeback under new management by ComediHa! following a financial reorganization and the cancellation of its 2024 event. As Peter stated to THR, “It’s the best, the biggest and the best comedy festival for all time. To put it simply, it had a year off. Now it’s back, let’s hope it’s even better than before or at least as great as it’s always been.

In the 1980s, Just for Laughs initially emerged as an annual festival, serving as a platform where talent scouts from Los Angeles and New York unearthed the next big comedic stars destined for Hollywood sitcoms and film roles. However, with the advent of the internet and social media, these platforms became primary avenues for self-promoting comedians, gradually nudging the Just for Laughs festival towards becoming a stepping stone for emerging comedy talent.

Instead, rather than relying on traditional routes such as performing in clubs or workshops, comedians are now using travel, social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube to perfect their act and attract fan bases, with aspirations for global stand-up tours. This strategy has led to financially successful concert tours for globally recognized talent such as Peters, enabling them to demonstrate the universal appeal of their comedy to industry professionals such as studio executives, streaming decision-makers, and club bookers at Just For Laughs (JFL) each July.

Although JFL didn’t initially bring Peters to light – it was his 2004 Comedy Now! set that became viral, catapulting him into fame – he has graced the Montreal comedy event with his presence more than a dozen times over a span of three decades. He recalls a significant stand-up performance in 2000 at JFL when the late Jerry Stiller visited backstage to commend his act and foretell that he would become a major star someday.

Stiller expressed confidence in me, which was significant because it was one of the first positive remarks about my career from someone influential within the industry. It meant a great deal,” Peters reminisced. Additionally, in 2016, Peters encountered Ben Stiller and his wife at a restaurant in Los Angeles. Despite knowing that Stiller prefers not to be disturbed in public, Peters decided to approach their table anyway.

Peter shared, ‘During dinner, I interrupted to share something with you regarding your father. I had already told him, and he responded gratefully, saying ‘Thank you for that, I appreciate hearing it.’ He was quite cordial about the matter. At least I got to tell him before his passing in 2000 at the age of 92,'” Peter reflected on the timely conversation before Jerry Stiller’s demise.

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2025-05-26 20:24