Which comedian created the character of the fictional newsman Borat Sagdiyev?

Sacha Baron Cohen created the character of the fictional newsman Borat Sagdiyev.

Borat is presented as a naïve journalist from Kazakhstan whose apparent misunderstandings expose the reactions and prejudices of people he encounters. Baron Cohen developed the character for television appearances before making him the focus of the 2006 mockumentary Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

The film became a major international success and earned Baron Cohen an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. He returned to the character in the 2020 sequel, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, which received several major award nominations.

Borat is one of several disguises created by Baron Cohen. Other prominent characters include Ali G and Brüno. Because Borat speaks in an intentionally exaggerated manner, viewers sometimes treat the character as a real reporter; he is a scripted comic creation performed through improvisational encounters.