found: Dictionary of African Biography, accessed January 17, 2015, via Oxford African American Studies Center database:(Elmaleh, Gad; comedian, motion picture producer / director, popular singer; born 17 April 1971 in Cassablanca, Morocco; completed the Cours Florent drama school in Paris; achieved international success with stand-up comedy show, the autobiographical Décalages; rose to success with movie studios opening such as, Salut cousin!, XXL, Vive la république!, and Le train de vie (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998); continued with stand-up, La vie normale; produced the movie, La vérité si je mens 2 (2001); had a huge success with the stand-up show, L'autre c'est moi (2005); played to audience of three thousand at the Beacon Theater in New York; honors received in France include, title of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, the French Ministry of Culture's distinction for artistic achievement and contribution to the enrichment of the nation's cultural legacy, and TF1 spectators' title of Funniest Man of the Year)