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Howie Mandel, Russell Peters join Just For Laughs as festival unveils more acts

Last Updated May 16, 2018 at 10:00 am MDT

Comedian Howie Mandel, one of the new co-owners of the Just for Laughs comedy festival, is seen at the company's headquarters Tuesday, May 15, 2018 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

MONTREAL – Just For Laughs has announced that Howie Mandel, Russell Peters and David Cross will be part of this year’s lineup.

The comedy festival said today that Ken Jeong, Iliza, Kenya Barris, Maria Bamford and Roy Wood Jr. will also join previously announced performers including Kevin Hart and Trevor Noah.

Mandel will host his fourth consecutive Just For Laughs gala but his first since becoming co-owner.

The Canadian-born comedian led an investor group that acquired the festival in March after it was put up for sale following allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment against festival founder Gilbert Rozon.

Rozon, who stepped down as president in October, said he would sell his shares in the company in response to the allegations, which he has denied and have not been proven in court.

Mandel said Tuesday this year’s festival would be bigger than ever and that the event was never about just one person.