Kumail Ali Nanjiani, better known as Kumail Nanjiani, is a Pakistani-American comedian, actor, screenwriter, and podcaster. He is best known for his role as “Dinesh” on the HBO comedy series Silicon Valley (2014-2019) and for co-writing and starring in the American romantic comedy The Big Sick (2017).
Wiki/Biography
Kumail Nanjiani was born on Tuesday, February 21, 1978 (42 years old in 2020) in Karachi, Pakistan. His zodiac sign is Pisces.
Kumail Nanjiani’s childhood
He was educated at St. Michael’s Convent School and Karachi Grammar School in Karachi. Nanjiani had a love for comedy since childhood, and he was drawn to comic books and action movies as a child. After completing his education, Kumail moved to the United States and enrolled at Grinnell College in Iowa, pursuing a double degree in computer science and philosophy.
Kumail Nanjiani when he was young
After graduation, Kumail worked in an office for about six years. Since Kumail was not interested in ordinary office work, he quit his office job and decided to try his hand at comedy.
appearance
Height: 5′ 8½”
Hair color: Black
Eye color: Black
Family and caste
Kumail Nanjiani was born in Karachi to Sindhi parents. He was raised as a Shia Muslim and later became an atheist.
Parents and siblings
Kumail Nanjiani is the son of Ejaz Nanjiani (a doctor) and Shabana Nanjiani. He has a younger brother, Zain Nanjiani, who is a banker in the United States.
Kumail Nanjiani’s parents
wife
In 2006, Kumail Nanjiani began a relationship with family therapist Emily Vance Gordon. However, he hid the relationship from his parents because they were looking for a Pakistani Muslim girl for him at the time. Nanjiani did not disclose his relationship to his parents until Emily developed an inflammatory disease. At the time, Emily became seriously ill and was in a medically induced coma for eight months. After she recovered, Nanjiani’s parents insisted that they get married. On July 14, 2007, the couple got married in a secret courthouse wedding in Chicago. Two weeks later, they arranged a traditional Pakistani wedding.
Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily Vance Gordon
Other relatives
Kumail is the cousin of Scottish radio host Shereen Nanjiani.
Kumail Nanjiani and his cousin Shailene Nanjiani
Profession
television
Kumail Nanjiani began his stand-up career in 2007 with his stand-up show Unpronounceable at Chicago’s Lake Shore Theater. The show was a huge success and attracted a lot of media attention. In 2008, he made his television debut, playing an Indian journalist on Saturday Night Live.
Kumail Nanjiani on his show “Saturday Night Live
Next, he appeared in two episodes of the television show The Colbert Report. In 2009, he played the role of a Pakistani clerk in the television comedy series Michael and Michael Have Problems. He then appeared in television shows such as Ugly Americans, Googy, Adventure Time, Bob’s Burgers, and The Twilight Zone.
Kumail Nanjiani on his TV show The Twilight Zone
Movie
Kumail made his screen debut in 2010 in the romantic comedy Life As We Know It. He subsequently had small roles in films such as The Five Year Talk, The Kings of Summer, Hell Baby and Sex Tape. His film credits include Hot Tub Time Machine 2, Goosebumps, Fist Fight, Men in Black: International and The Lovebirds.
Web Series
Kumail made his debut in the digital media space with the web series Jack and Aamir in 2009. Since then, he has starred in many web series such as Hunt for Truth, Game Wars, Film Wars, and Gay of Thrones.
Other Work
In 2011, Kumail co-hosted the video game and nerd culture podcast “The Indoor Kids” with Ari Baker. A month later, Kumail’s wife Emily replaced Baker. Nanjiani became popular in the United States after playing the role of “Dinesh Chugtai” in the HBO sitcom “Silicon Valley”. Then, his show “The Meltdown” became a huge success, making him a household name in the United States. In addition to television and movies, he has also voiced video games such as “The Walking Dead: Season 2”, “Mass Effect: Andromeda” and “Middle-earth: Shadow of War”.
Awards and Achievements
- The film The Big Sick won the Kanbar Award for Best Narrative (2017)
- Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay (The Big Sick) (2017)
- San Diego International Film Festival Author Award (2017)
Favorite things
- Dessert: Panna Cotta, Swiss Roll
- Travel destination: Los Angeles
- Quote: Strive for progress, not perfection.
Facts/Trivia
- His hobbies include traveling and listening to music.
- He follows a non-vegetarian diet.
- It was Hugh Grant’s performance in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral that inspired Kumail to start a career in stand-up comedy.
- Kumail was the second person in his family to go abroad. The first was his uncle, who settled in Scotland.
- He was born into a family of doctors and his parents hoped that he would become a doctor.
- He is a fitness enthusiast and goes to the gym regularly.
- In April 2018, Nanjiani was named one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” (Herald).
- Kumail is a big animal lover and has a pet dog named Barley.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education