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Kumail Nanjiani

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Kumail Nanjiani

Kumail Ali Nanjiani (born May 2, 1978) is a Pakistani and American stand-up comedian, actor, producer, and screenwriter. His accolades include a Screen Actors Guild Award, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and two Emmy Awards. In 2018, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Nanjiani's breakthrough role came with his role as Dinesh in the HBO comedy series Silicon Valley (2014–2019). He is also known for his performances in the TNT series Franklin & Bash, the Adult Swim series Newsreaders, the comedy series Portlandia, the Disney+ miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi, the series The Boys, and the Peacock series Poker Face. His voice acting roles include Prismo on the animated series Adventure Time and Kingo in the animated anthology series What If...?. He also co-hosted the Comedy Central show The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail. In 2019, he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in The Twilight Zone. In 2023, he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for his work in the miniseries Welcome to Chippendales. Nanjiani achieved wider recognition for co-writing and starring in the romantic comedy film The Big Sick (2017), which earned him and his wife Emily V. Gordon a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. He also starred as Kingo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) superhero film Eternals.

Infobox

Born
Kumail Ali Nanjiani (1978-05-02) May 2, 1978 Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Citizenship
Pakistan United States
Education
Grinnell College (BA)
Spouse
Emily V. Gordon (m. 2007)
Relatives
Shereen Nanjiani (second cousin)
Years active
2007–present
Medium
Stand-up film television

Tables

· Filmography › Film
2010
Life as We Know It
Role(s)
Simon
2012
The Five-Year Engagement
Role(s)
Pakistani Chef
2013
The Kings of Summer
Role(s)
Gary the Delivery Guy
Hell Baby
Role(s)
Cable Guy
Bad Milo
Role(s)
Bobbi
2014
The Last of the Great Romantics
Role(s)
George the Counter Guy
Sex Tape
Role(s)
Punit
2015
Loaded
Role(s)
Reza
Hot Tub Time Machine 2
Role(s)
Brad
Addicted to Fresno
Role(s)
Damon
Hello, My Name Is Doris
Role(s)
Nasir
Hell and Back
Role(s)
Dave the Demon
Notes
Voice role
Goosebumps
Role(s)
Foreman
2016
Central Intelligence
Role(s)
Jared the Airport Security Guard
Notes
Cameo
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates
Role(s)
Keanu
Brother Nature
Role(s)
Riggleman
Flock of Dudes
Role(s)
Ro
The Late Bloomer
Role(s)
Rich
2017
The Big Sick
Role(s)
Kumail Nanjiani
Notes
Also writer and executive producer
Fist Fight
Role(s)
Officer Mehar
A Happening of Monumental Proportions
Role(s)
HR Rep Perry
Funny: The Documentary
Role(s)
Himself
The Lego Ninjago Movie
Role(s)
Jay
Notes
Voice role
2018
Duck Butter
Role(s)
Jake
2019
Stuber
Role(s)
Stu Prasad
Men in Black: International
Role(s)
Pawny
Notes
Voice role
2020
Dolittle
Role(s)
Plimpton
Notes
Voice role
The Lovebirds
Role(s)
Jibran
Notes
Also executive producer
2021
Eternals
Role(s)
Kingo
2023
Migration
Role(s)
Mack
Notes
Voice role
2024
Destroy All Neighbors
Role(s)
Smelting Refinery Guard
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Role(s)
Nadeem Razmaadi
2025
Animal Farm
Role(s)
Marth
Driver's Ed
Role(s)
Mr. Rivers
Ella McCay
Role(s)
Trooper Nash
2026
See You When I See You
Role(s)
Adeel
Notes
Also producer
Over Your Dead Body
Role(s)
Hollywood Dan
Notes
Uncredited
The Breadwinner †
Role(s)
TBA
Notes
Post-production
The Wrong Girls †
Role(s)
TBA
Notes
Post-production
2027
The Comeback King †
Role(s)
TBA
Notes
Filming
Year
Title
Role
Notes
2010
Life as We Know It
Simon
2012
The Five-Year Engagement
Pakistani Chef
2013
The Kings of Summer
Gary the Delivery Guy
Hell Baby
Cable Guy
Bad Milo
Bobbi
2014
The Last of the Great Romantics
George the Counter Guy
Sex Tape
Punit
2015
Loaded
Reza
Hot Tub Time Machine 2
Brad
Addicted to Fresno
Damon
Hello, My Name Is Doris
Nasir
Hell and Back
Dave the Demon
Voice role
Goosebumps
Foreman
2016
Central Intelligence
Jared the Airport Security Guard
Cameo
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates
Keanu
Brother Nature
Riggleman
Flock of Dudes
Ro
The Late Bloomer
Rich
2017
The Big Sick
Kumail Nanjiani
Also writer and executive producer
Fist Fight
Officer Mehar
A Happening of Monumental Proportions
HR Rep Perry
Funny: The Documentary
Himself
The Lego Ninjago Movie
Jay
Voice role
2018
Duck Butter
Jake
2019
Stuber
Stu Prasad
Men in Black: International
Pawny
Voice role
2020
Dolittle
Plimpton
Voice role
The Lovebirds
Jibran
Also executive producer
2021
Eternals
Kingo
2023
Migration
Mack
Voice role
2024
Destroy All Neighbors
Smelting Refinery Guard
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Nadeem Razmaadi
2025
Animal Farm
Marth
Driver's Ed
Mr. Rivers
Ella McCay
Trooper Nash
2026
See You When I See You
Adeel
Also producer
Over Your Dead Body
Hollywood Dan
Uncredited
The Breadwinner †
TBA
Post-production
The Wrong Girls †
TBA
Post-production
2027
The Comeback King †
TBA
Filming
· Filmography › Television
2008
Saturday Night Live
Role(s)
Indian Reporter
Notes
Episode: "James Franco/Kings of Leon"; uncredited
2009
The Colbert Report
Role(s)
Various characters
Notes
2 episodes
Michael & Michael Have Issues
Role(s)
Kumail
Notes
Main role
100 Most Shocking Music Moments
Role(s)
Panelist
Notes
5 episodes
2010
Ugly Americans
Role(s)
Neilando Patel
Notes
Voice role; episode: "Treegasm"
2011
Traffic Light
Role(s)
Paul
Notes
Episode: "Where the Heart Is"
CollegeHumor Originals
Role(s)
Vendor
Notes
Episode: "Batman Chooses His Voice"
Googy
Role(s)
Dwayne
Notes
Main role
2011–2014
Role(s)
Franklin & Bash
Notes
Pindar Singh
2011–2018
Role(s)
Portlandia
Notes
Various characters
2012–2016
Role(s)
Adventure Time
Notes
Prismo
2013–2015
Role(s)
Newsreaders
Notes
Amir Larussa
2013
Burning Love
Role(s)
Zakir
Notes
Main role (seasons 2–3)
Veep
Role(s)
Statistician
Notes
Episode: "Midterms"
Drunk History
Role(s)
Lakota Chief
Notes
Episode: "Nashville"
Ghost Ghirls
Role(s)
Mr. Mattoo
Notes
Episode: "I Believe in Mira-ghouls"
Kumail Nanjiani: Beta Male
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Stand-up special
2014
Math Bites
Role(s)
Showoff Guy
Notes
Episode: "Math Heads: Do Math in Your Head"
The Pete Holmes Show
Role(s)
Dhalsim
Notes
Episode: "Erin Hamlin and Kate Hansen"
TripTank
Role(s)
Dick Genie
Notes
Voice role; 4 episodes
Garfunkel and Oates
Role(s)
Jordan
Notes
Episode: "Hair Swap"
Key & Peele
Role(s)
College Kid
Notes
Episode: "Scariest Movie Ever"
2014–2015
Role(s)
Community
Notes
Custodian Lapari
2014–2016
Role(s)
The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail
Notes
Himself
2014–2019
Role(s)
Silicon Valley
Notes
Dinesh Chugtai
2014–2025
Role(s)
Bob's Burgers
Notes
Skip Marooch
2015
Broad City
Role(s)
Benny Calitri
Notes
Episode: "In Heat"
Archer
Role(s)
Farooq Ashkani
Notes
Voice role; episode: "Sitting"
Inside Amy Schumer
Role(s)
Juror
Notes
Episode: "12 Angry Men Inside Amy Schumer"
Scheer-RL
Role(s)
Mariah Carey
Notes
Episode: "Mariah Carey"
Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero
Role(s)
Cuteling Mayor
Notes
Voice role; episode: "The Ripple Effect"
Aqua Teen Hunger Force
Role(s)
Frylock's bees
Notes
Voice role; episode: "Sweet C"
The Grinder
Role(s)
Prosecutor Leonard
Notes
2 episodes
2016
The X-Files
Role(s)
Pasha
Notes
Episode: "Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster"
Animals
Role(s)
Rusty
Notes
Voice role; episode: "Dogs."
31st Independent Spirit Awards
Role(s)
Himself (host)
Notes
Television special
2016–2017
Role(s)
HarmonQuest
Notes
Eddie Lizard
2016–2022
Role(s)
Bee and PuppyCat: Lazy In Space
Notes
Howell
2017
Saturday Night Live
Role(s)
Himself (host)
Notes
Episode: "Kumail Nanjiani/Pink"
2019
The Twilight Zone
Role(s)
Samir Wassan
Notes
Episode: "The Comedian"
2019–2021
Role(s)
Bless the Harts
Notes
Jesus Christ
2020–2022
Role(s)
Little America
Notes
—
2020
Death to 2020
Role(s)
Bark Multiverse
Notes
Television special
2021
Big Mouth
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Voice role; episode: "No Nut November"
2022
Murderville
Role(s)
Episode: "Most Likely to Commit Murder"
The Simpsons
Role(s)
Theo
Notes
Voice role; episode: "You Won't Believe What This Episode Is About..."
The Boys Presents: Diabolical
Role(s)
Vik
Notes
Voice role; episode: "Boyd in 3D"
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Role(s)
Haja Estree
Notes
Miniseries; 3 episodes
Bee and PuppyCat
Role(s)
Howell Wizard
Notes
Voice role; 3 episodes
2022–2023
Role(s)
Welcome to Chippendales
Notes
Somen "Steve" Banerjee
2022–2026
Role(s)
The Boys
Notes
Himself
2023
History of the World, Part II
Role(s)
Vātsyāyana
Notes
Episode: "I"
The Eric Andre Show
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Episode: "Anti-Weed"
2024
Krapopolis
Role(s)
Spartan Army Leader
Notes
Voice role; episode: "Contagion"
Only Murders in the Building
Role(s)
Rudy "Christmas Guy" Thurber
Notes
7 episodes
What If...?
Role(s)
Kingo
Notes
Voice role; episode: "What If... Agatha Went to Hollywood?"
2025
Poker Face
Role(s)
Joseph "Gator Joe" Pilson
Notes
Episode: "The Taste of Human Blood"
Haunted Hotel
Role(s)
Leader Todd
Notes
Voice role; episode: “The Acolytes of Abaddon”
Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake
Role(s)
Prismo
Notes
Voice role; 3 episodes
Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Stand-up special
Fallout
Role(s)
Paladin Xander Harkness
Notes
2 episodes
2026
Taskmaster
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Series 21, 10 episodes
TBA
Role(s)
The White Lotus †
Notes
TBA
Year
Title
Role
Notes
2008
Saturday Night Live
Indian Reporter
Episode: "James Franco/Kings of Leon"; uncredited
2009
The Colbert Report
Various characters
2 episodes
Michael & Michael Have Issues
Kumail
Main role
100 Most Shocking Music Moments
Panelist
5 episodes
2010
Ugly Americans
Neilando Patel
Voice role; episode: "Treegasm"
2011
Traffic Light
Paul
Episode: "Where the Heart Is"
CollegeHumor Originals
Vendor
Episode: "Batman Chooses His Voice"
Googy
Dwayne
Main role
2011–2014
Franklin & Bash
Pindar Singh
Main role (seasons 1–3), guest role (season 4)
2011–2018
Portlandia
Various characters
Recurring role; 13 episodes
2012–2016
Adventure Time
Prismo
Recurring voice role; 7 episodes
2013–2015
Newsreaders
Amir Larussa
Correspondent; 11 episodes
2013
Burning Love
Zakir
Main role (seasons 2–3)
Veep
Statistician
Episode: "Midterms"
Drunk History
Lakota Chief
Episode: "Nashville"
Ghost Ghirls
Mr. Mattoo
Episode: "I Believe in Mira-ghouls"
Kumail Nanjiani: Beta Male
Himself
Stand-up special
2014
Math Bites
Showoff Guy
Episode: "Math Heads: Do Math in Your Head"
The Pete Holmes Show
Dhalsim
Episode: "Erin Hamlin and Kate Hansen"
TripTank
Dick Genie
Voice role; 4 episodes
Garfunkel and Oates
Jordan
Episode: "Hair Swap"
Key & Peele
College Kid
Episode: "Scariest Movie Ever"
2014–2015
Community
Custodian Lapari
2 episodes
2014–2016
The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail
Himself
Host; also executive producer
2014–2019
Silicon Valley
Dinesh Chugtai
Main role
2014–2025
Bob's Burgers
Skip Marooch
Voice role; 3 episodes
2015
Broad City
Benny Calitri
Episode: "In Heat"
Archer
Farooq Ashkani
Voice role; episode: "Sitting"
Inside Amy Schumer
Juror
Episode: "12 Angry Men Inside Amy Schumer"
Scheer-RL
Mariah Carey
Episode: "Mariah Carey"
Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero
Cuteling Mayor
Voice role; episode: "The Ripple Effect"
Aqua Teen Hunger Force
Frylock's bees
Voice role; episode: "Sweet C"
The Grinder
Prosecutor Leonard
2 episodes
2016
The X-Files
Pasha
Episode: "Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster"
Animals
Rusty
Voice role; episode: "Dogs."
31st Independent Spirit Awards
Himself (host)
Television special
2016–2017
HarmonQuest
Eddie Lizard
2 episodes
2016–2022
Bee and PuppyCat: Lazy In Space
Howell
Voice role; 2 episodes
2017
Saturday Night Live
Himself (host)
Episode: "Kumail Nanjiani/Pink"
2019
The Twilight Zone
Samir Wassan
Episode: "The Comedian"
2019–2021
Bless the Harts
Jesus Christ
Main voice role
2020–2022
Little America
—
Executive producer and writer
2020
Death to 2020
Bark Multiverse
Television special
2021
Big Mouth
Himself
Voice role; episode: "No Nut November"
2022
Murderville
Episode: "Most Likely to Commit Murder"
The Simpsons
Theo
Voice role; episode: "You Won't Believe What This Episode Is About..."
The Boys Presents: Diabolical
Vik
Voice role; episode: "Boyd in 3D"
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Haja Estree
Miniseries; 3 episodes
Bee and PuppyCat
Howell Wizard
Voice role; 3 episodes
· Filmography › Video games
2013
The Walking Dead: Season Two
Role(s)
Reggie
2017
Mass Effect: Andromeda
Role(s)
Jarun Tann
Middle-earth: Shadow of War
Role(s)
Nemesis Orcs
2018
Adventure Time: Pirates of the Enchiridion
Role(s)
Prismo, Gnome, Marauder
TBA
Role(s)
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet
Notes
Colin Graves
Year
Title
Voice role
Notes
2013
The Walking Dead: Season Two
Reggie
2017
Mass Effect: Andromeda
Jarun Tann
Middle-earth: Shadow of War
Nemesis Orcs
2018
Adventure Time: Pirates of the Enchiridion
Prismo, Gnome, Marauder
TBA
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet
Colin Graves
· Filmography › Web
2008
CH Originals
Role(s)
College student
Notes
"Honest College Ad"
2009
Jake and Amir
Role(s)
Kumail
Notes
4 episodes
2015
Hunt the Truth
Role(s)
Mshak Moradi
2013–2017
Role(s)
Harmontown
Notes
Himself
2017
Game Grumps
Role(s)
1 episode; on the same episode as Thomas Middleditch
Movie Fights
Role(s)
1 episode; on the same episode as Paul Scheer
2019
Achievement Hunter
Role(s)
1 episode
Gay of Thrones
Role(s)
1 episode; "Gay Of Thrones S8 E4 Recap"
Hot Ones
Role(s)
1 episode
2020
Reunited Apart
Role(s)
1 episode; "Ghostbusters"
2025
Brooklyn Coffee Shop
Role(s)
1 episode
Year
Title
Role
Notes
2008
CH Originals
College student
"Honest College Ad"
2009
Jake and Amir
Kumail
4 episodes
2015
Hunt the Truth
Mshak Moradi
2013–2017
Harmontown
Himself
2017
Game Grumps
1 episode; on the same episode as Thomas Middleditch
Movie Fights
1 episode; on the same episode as Paul Scheer
2019
Achievement Hunter
1 episode
Gay of Thrones
1 episode; "Gay Of Thrones S8 E4 Recap"
Hot Ones
1 episode
2020
Reunited Apart
1 episode; "Ghostbusters"
2025
Brooklyn Coffee Shop
1 episode
· Filmography › Theater
2025
Oh, Mary!
Role(s)
Mary's Husband
Notes
Lyceum Theatre
Year
Title
Role
Notes
2025
Oh, Mary!
Mary's Husband
Lyceum Theatre

References

  1. /kʊˈmeɪl ˌnɑːndʒiˈɑːni/; Sindhi: ڪميل علي نانجياڻي‎; Urdu: کمیل علی نانجیانی
  2. Vanity Fair
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlwb2WbDWVI&t=17s
  3. TVGuide
    https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/kumail-nanjiani/credits/3030121279/
  4. AP NEWS
    https://apnews.com/article/celebrity-nfl-arts-and-entertainment-tv-entertainment-9bcf2afdf3c0e5c80f28ac93b7fac69f
  5. Time
    https://time.com/collection/most-influential-people-2018/
  6. emmys
    https://www.emmys.com/bios/kumail-nanjiani
  7. The New Yorker
    https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/08/kumail-nanjianis-culture-clash-comedy
  8. Shereen
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00y0g8q
  9. Risk!
    http://risk-show.com/podcast/live-from-san-francisco/
  10. YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_EOB2KE_ys&t=80
  11. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/01/arts/television/01koni.html
  12. "Interview with Comedian Kumail Nanjiani '01"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140318062833/http://www.grinnell.edu/news/interview-comedian-kumail-nanjiani-%E2%80%9901
  13. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/silicon-valley-a-comedy-central-project-and-a-killer-bidet-joke-kumail-nanjiani-has-it-all/2014/04/04/c5a3b7ce-b9cb-11e3-9a05-c739f29ccb08_story.html
  14. The Indoor Kids
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140504061654/http://www.nerdist.com/2011/07/the-indoor-kids-1-steve-agee/
  15. "The Kings of Summer Red-Band Trailer"
    https://collider.com/kings-of-summer-red-band-trailer/
  16. "Kumail Nanjiani: Beta Male"
    https://www.avclub.com/kumail-nanjiani-beta-male-1798177440
  17. TV by the Numbers
    https://web.archive.org/web/20130624013730/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/06/20/comedy-central-greenlights-the-meltdown-with-jonah-and-kumail/188292/
  18. "The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140701204502/https://nerdmeltla.com/the-meltdown-with-jonah-and-kumail/
  19. "Game Review: The Walking Dead Season 2: In Harm's Way"
    https://archive.nerdist.com/game-review-the-walking-dead-season-2-in-harms-way/
  20. The A . Club
    https://www.avclub.com/article/kumail-nanjiani-take-every-episode-x-files-new-pod-205527
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