Life & Work with Ahmed Al-kadri of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ahmed Al-kadri

Hi Ahmed , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ahmed Al-kadri is a Yemeni-American comedian based in LA. As a young child in Dallas, Ahmed dreamed of being an accountant, but his immigrant parents forced him to be a comedian instead. Ahmed started developing his comedy skills early, doing impressions of his mom’s Turkish soap operas and Mr. Bean, as well as spot-on imitations of his sister and brothers. Ahmed’s father was an extrovert who loved to help people. Ahmed credits this as one of the reasons he relates so well to everyone- his house was always full of visitors who his parents were hosting; often offering a place to sleep if it was needed. Consequently, Ahmed was one of those kids who was friends with everybody, memorizing one-liners from his dad and trying them out on the kids at school the next day. Between go-kart races and soccer with his five siblings, Ahmed had a classic American childhood, playing “ding-dong ditch” and throwing Taco Bell sauce packets at cars.

An improv class in 2016 at Dallas Comedy House started Ahmed on his professional comedic journey, and he has been making people laugh (for money) ever since. While performing in numerous improv, sketch, and stand up comedy shows, Ahmed helped create the improv troupe, Sunglow. Sunglow headlined at Dallas Comedy House on weekends and traveled across the country, performing at the Del Close Improv Festival in New York, as well as improv festivals in Kansas City, Baltimore, and Oklahoma City.

In 2018, Ahmed moved to LA to pursue a career in standup. Over the last year, Ahmed has gained a large following on TikTok and Instagram, thanks to crowd-favorite sketches like “Roommates with Anxiety,” “Arab at an Indian Wedding” and the “Arab Roommate” series, which compliments long-time friend Ryan Kelly’s series, “When You Have A Midwest Roommate.” A viral hit, his “F-Boi Rehab” series was featured on both Buzzfeed and DankMemes. You may also recognize Ahmed from his appearance as Liam on the web-series “David Diamondhands” and on Fox’s Love Connection (Season 2, Episode 8) It wasn’t a match, but at least he got a good story out of it!

Today, Ahmed connects with audiences through funny, heartfelt stories and jokes about those little things in life you just have to laugh at. When he’s not on stage, you can find Ahmed giving bike tours around Los Angeles, teaching improv comedy at rehab centers, and indulging his inner foodie, writing Yelp reviews for new restaurants near Hollywood.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Comedy is anything but a smooth road—it’s more like driving a beat-up car with three wheels and no GPS. When I moved to LA six years ago, I had an accounting degree, two years of stand-up experience, and a dream. But the reality hit fast—open mics in empty bars, bombing in front of three people, and wondering if I should’ve just stuck to spreadsheets.

One of the biggest struggles has been patience. You put in years of work without knowing when or if a ‘big break’ is coming. I’ve had times where I felt stuck, where the gigs weren’t coming in, or I questioned if I was making progress. Social media is another beast—constantly creating content, hoping it reaches the right people while trying not to go insane checking views.

But the tough parts are also what make the wins sweeter. Seeing a joke go from a random idea in my notes to making a whole crowd laugh—that’s what keeps me going. Every setback, every bomb, every weird gig in a black market weed shop (yes, that happened) is part of the journey. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a stand-up comedian who’s all about mixing sharp observations with playful absurdity. I started comedy in Dallas, TX, moved to LA six years ago, and have been grinding ever since. My style is a mix of personal stories, cultural observations, and ridiculous takes on everyday life. I love taking something mundane and twisting it into something unexpected.

One thing I’m known for is my love of bread—literally. My Instagram handle is @AhmedLovesBread, and I lean into it with jokes, sketch ideas, and even my stand-up tour names. It’s a running theme that’s become part of my brand in a way I never expected.

What sets me apart is that I bring a mix of precision (maybe it’s the accountant in me) and a loose, in-the-moment energy to my sets. I’m always thinking about joke structure and timing, but I also love riffing and making every show feel unique.

I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve kept going. Comedy is a long game, and I’ve stayed consistent—writing, performing, and putting my work out there, even when it felt like no one was watching. Now, I’m seeing real momentum, and that’s the most rewarding part

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
One of the biggest lessons I learned during the COVID-19 crisis is that comedy will always find a way. When clubs shut down, comedians had to get creative, and for me, that meant producing a weekly stand-up show at a park in Eagle Rock for a whole year. I brought my own mic, speaker, and even two lights from Home Depot—because if comedy was going to survive, I was going to make sure people could hear and see the jokes.

That experience taught me that comedy isn’t just about the perfect setup—it’s about connection. If people are willing to sit outside in a park just to hear jokes, it means they need laughter as much as we need to tell jokes. It also reinforced the importance of adaptability. Whether it’s changing how I perform, where I perform, or how I connect with an audience, being flexible is key in this industry.

And honestly, after doing stand-up in a park with my own DIY setup, I feel like I can perform anywhere. Comedy club? Easy. Rooftop? No problem. Random street corner? Been there, done that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ahmedlovesbread.com/
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/ahmedlovesbread
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AhmedLovesBread
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AhmedLovesBread

Image Credits
Bahareh Ritter
Mike Falzone