Utkarsh Ambudkar

Utkarsh Ambudkar ( UUT-karsh am-BUUD-kar; born December 8, 1983), also known by his stage name UTK the INC, is an American actor, rapper, and singer. He is known for his film roles including Pitch Perfect (2012), Game Over, Man! (2018), Blindspotting (2018), Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019), The Broken Hearts Gallery (2020), Free Guy (2021), Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021), and World's Best (2023). His television roles include The Mindy Project, White Famous, Never Have I Ever, Mira, Royal Detective, and Ghosts. He also appeared in the Hulu limited series The Dropout (2022). He made his Broadway debut in Lin-Manuel Miranda's improvisational hip-hop show Freestyle Love Supreme in 2019.

Infobox

Born

(1983-12-08) December 8, 1983 (age 41)Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.

Other names

mw- .inline, .inline dl, .inline ol, .inline ul, dl dl, dl ol, dl ul, ol dl, ol ol dd dd dd , dd dt , dd li , dt dd , dt dt , dt li , li dd dd dd , dd dt , dd li , dt dd , dt dt , dt li , li dd dd ol li UTK the INC UTK

Education

Wootton High School

Alma mater

NYU Tisch School of Arts (BFA)

Occupations

Actor rapper singer

Years active

2004–present

Spouse

mw- Naomi Ambudkar (m. 2019)

Children

Tables

· Filmography › Film

2007

Rocket Science

Role(s)

Ram

2008

Last Call

Role(s)

Nikash

2012

Pitch Perfect

Role(s)

Donald

2015

Freaks of Nature

Role(s)

Parminder

2016

Ride Along 2

Role(s)

Amir

Barbershop: The Next Cut

Role(s)

Raja

2017

Basmati Blues

Role(s)

Rajit

2018

Blindspotting

Role(s)

Rin

Game Over, Man!

Role(s)

Bae Awadi

2019

Brittany Runs a Marathon

Role(s)

Jern Dahn

2020

Mulan

Role(s)

Skatch

Notes

Deleted scene

The Broken Hearts Gallery

Role(s)

Max Vora

Godmothered

Role(s)

Grant

2021

Tom & Jerry

Role(s)

Real Estate Rat (voice)

Free Guy

Role(s)

Mouser

Tick, Tick... Boom!

Role(s)

Todd

2022

The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild

Role(s)

Orson (voice)

Marry Me

Role(s)

Coach Manny

The Drop

Role(s)

Robbie

2023

World's Best

Role(s)

Suresh Patel

Notes

Also writer and producer

2024

My Dead Friend Zoe

Role(s)

Alex

Doin' It

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2007	Rocket Science	Ram
2008	Last Call	Nikash
2012	Pitch Perfect	Donald
2015	Freaks of Nature	Parminder
2016	Ride Along 2	Amir
2016	Barbershop: The Next Cut	Raja
2017	Basmati Blues	Rajit
2018	Blindspotting	Rin
2018	Game Over, Man!	Bae Awadi
2019	Brittany Runs a Marathon	Jern Dahn
2020	Mulan	Skatch	Deleted scene
	The Broken Hearts Gallery	Max Vora
	Godmothered	Grant
2021	Tom & Jerry	Real Estate Rat (voice)
	Free Guy	Mouser
	Tick, Tick... Boom!	Todd
2022	The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild	Orson (voice)
	Marry Me	Coach Manny
	The Drop	Robbie
2023	World's Best	Suresh Patel	Also writer and producer
2024	My Dead Friend Zoe	Alex
2024	Doin' It

· Filmography › Television

2011

Danni Lowinski

Role(s)

Rasoul

Notes

Television film

2012

Freestyle Love Supreme

Role(s)

UTK

Notes

Television film

2013–2017

Role(s)

The Mindy Project

Notes

Rishi Lahiri

2013

China, IL

Role(s)

Aladdin (voice)

Notes

Episode: "Wild Hogs"

2016

The Simpsons

Role(s)

Jay (voice)

Notes

Episode: "Much Apu About Something"

The Muppets

Role(s)

Pizza

Notes

3 episodes

2017

White Famous

Role(s)

Malcolm

Notes

10 episodes

The Problem with Apu

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Documentary television film

2018

Trolls: The Beat Goes On!

Role(s)

Master Controll (voice)

Notes

Episode: "Big Poppy"

Bartlett

Role(s)

Sanjay Kahn

Notes

4 episodes

2018–2020

Role(s)

Brockmire

Notes

Raj

Harvey Street Kids

Role(s)

Fredo (voice)

Notes

17 episodes

2020

Mira, Royal Detective

Role(s)

Chikku (voice)

Notes

Main cast

Central Park

Role(s)

—

Notes

Songwriter: "The Park Is Mine" (with Rafael Casal)

2021–2023

Role(s)

Never Have I Ever

Notes

Mr. Manish Kulkarni

Blindspotting

Role(s)

Niles Turner

Notes

2 episodes

2021

Robot Chicken

Role(s)

Aang, Sora, Xenomorph Student (voice)

Notes

Episode: "May Cause Numb Butthole"

2021–present

Role(s)

Ghosts

Notes

Jay Arondekar

Special

Role(s)

Ravi

Notes

3 episodes

2022

The Dropout

Role(s)

Rakesh Madhava

Notes

Recurring role

2023

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur

Role(s)

Anand (voice)

Notes

Recurring role

Celebrity Jeopardy!

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Contestant (season 2)

2024

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Role(s)

King Bumi

Notes

Recurring role

2025

Running Point

Role(s)

Malkeet Dasari

Notes

Episode: "Doljanchi"

SuperKitties

Role(s)

Champster Glamster (voice)

Notes

Recurring role

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2006; 2010	The Electric Company	UTK; Harry	2 episodes
2011	Danni Lowinski	Rasoul	Television film
2012	Freestyle Love Supreme	UTK	Television film
2013–2017	The Mindy Project	Rishi Lahiri	10 episodes
2013	China, IL	Aladdin (voice)	Episode: "Wild Hogs"
2016	The Simpsons	Jay (voice)	Episode: "Much Apu About Something"
2016	The Muppets	Pizza	3 episodes
2017	White Famous	Malcolm	10 episodes
2017	The Problem with Apu	Himself	Documentary television film
2018	Trolls: The Beat Goes On!	Master Controll (voice)	Episode: "Big Poppy"
2018	Bartlett	Sanjay Kahn	4 episodes
2018–2020	Brockmire	Raj	5 episodes
2018–2020	Harvey Street Kids	Fredo (voice)	17 episodes
2020	Mira, Royal Detective	Chikku (voice)	Main cast
2020	Central Park	—	Songwriter: "The Park Is Mine" (with Rafael Casal)
2021–2023	Never Have I Ever	Mr. Manish Kulkarni	Recurring (season 2-4)
2021–2023	Blindspotting	Niles Turner	2 episodes
2021	Robot Chicken	Aang, Sora, Xenomorph Student (voice)	Episode: "May Cause Numb Butthole"
2021–present	Ghosts	Jay Arondekar	Main role
2021	Special	Ravi	3 episodes
2022	The Dropout	Rakesh Madhava	Recurring role
2023	Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur	Anand (voice)	Recurring role
2023	Celebrity Jeopardy!	Himself	Contestant (season 2)
2024	Avatar: The Last Airbender	King Bumi	Recurring role
2025	Running Point	Malkeet Dasari	Episode: "Doljanchi"
2025	SuperKitties	Champster Glamster (voice)	Recurring role

· Filmography › Web

2009

Hardly Working

Role(s)

Self (Freestyle Love Supreme)

Notes

Guest role; 2 episodes

2016

Force Grey: Giant Hunters

Role(s)

Hitch

Notes

Main role; 6 episodes

2017–2018

Role(s)

Force Grey: Lost City of Omu

Notes

Main role; 20 episodes

2023

Critical Role (campaign three)

Role(s)

Bor'Dor Dog'Son

Notes

Guest role; 5 episodes

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2009	Hardly Working	Self (Freestyle Love Supreme)	Guest role; 2 episodes
2016	Force Grey: Giant Hunters	Hitch	Main role; 6 episodes
2017–2018	Force Grey: Lost City of Omu	Hitch	Main role; 20 episodes
2023	Critical Role (campaign three)	Bor'Dor Dog'Son	Guest role; 5 episodes

· Theatre

2004

History of the Word

Role(s)

Ali

Notes

Crossroads Theatre

2005

The Me Nobody Knows

Role(s)

Performer

Notes

Staged Reading, Vineyard Theatre

The Snow Queen

Role(s)

Kay

Notes

Urban Stages

2007

History of the Word

Role(s)

Ali

Notes

Washington Irving High School LaGuardia Performing Arts Center

2008

Rafta, Rafta...

Role(s)

Etash Tailor

Notes

Acorn Theater/The New Group, Off-Broadway

Animals Out of Paper

Role(s)

Suresh

Notes

McGinn/Cazale Theatre, Off-Broadway

2009

Dov and Ali

Role(s)

Ali

Notes

Cherry Lane Theatre, Off-Broadway

2010

The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity

Role(s)

Vigneshwar Paduar

Notes

Second Stage Theatre, Off-Broadway

2012

Modern Terrorism, or They Who Want to Kill Us and How We Learn to Love Them

Role(s)

Rahim

Notes

Second Stage Theatre, Off-Broadway

2013

Hamilton

Role(s)

Aaron Burr

Notes

Vassar College, Workshop

2019

Freestyle Love Supreme

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Greenwich House Theater, Off-Broadway

2019–20

Role(s)

Booth Theatre, Broadway

Year	Title	Role	Venue	Ref.
2004	History of the Word	Ali	Crossroads Theatre
2005	The Me Nobody Knows	Performer	Staged Reading, Vineyard Theatre
2005	The Snow Queen	Kay	Urban Stages
2007	History of the Word	Ali	Washington Irving High School LaGuardia Performing Arts Center
2008	Rafta, Rafta...	Etash Tailor	Acorn Theater/The New Group, Off-Broadway
2008	Animals Out of Paper	Suresh	McGinn/Cazale Theatre, Off-Broadway
2009	Dov and Ali	Ali	Cherry Lane Theatre, Off-Broadway
2010	The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity	Vigneshwar Paduar	Second Stage Theatre, Off-Broadway
2012	Modern Terrorism, or They Who Want to Kill Us and How We Learn to Love Them	Rahim	Second Stage Theatre, Off-Broadway
2013	Hamilton	Aaron Burr	Vassar College, Workshop
2019	Freestyle Love Supreme	Himself	Greenwich House Theater, Off-Broadway
2019–20	Freestyle Love Supreme	Himself	Booth Theatre, Broadway

References

Distractify
https://www.distractify.com/p/utkarsh-ambudkar-wife
"Instagram"
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_TO4Ldnxw5/
Webgum
https://web.archive.org/web/20181218011007/https://headgum.com/lets-talk-about-me-baby
Malang Post News
https://web.archive.org/web/20240304125617/https://www.malangpost.net/utkarsh-ambudkar-shines-in-diverse-roles-across-hollywood-and-music/
Stella Adler Studio of Acting
https://stellaadler.com/profiles/utkarsh-ambudkar/
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/theater/utkarsh-ambudkar-freestyle-love-supreme.html
The Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/how-chill-can-broadway-get-lin-manuel-miranda-and-company-throw-down-some-freestyle-love-to-find-out/2019/09/25/053c439c-ddfc-11e9-be96-6adb81821e90_story.html
The Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/11/16/a-comedy-thatll-slay-you/6b6634f7-0f7b-45dd-b5e9-15f4eb45d9a4/
The Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2001/03/29/an-anything-with-everything/891313d9-ae63-40ed-9c31-e6b4ab16af1d/
The Times of India
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/utkarsh-ambudkar-rapper-who-stole-the-show-at-oscars-has-a-chennai-connection/articleshow/74071394.cms
BuzzFeed
https://www.buzzfeed.com/louispeitzman/pitch-perfect-breakout-utkarsh-ambudkar-takes-on
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2015/09/utkarsh-ambudkar-star-heems-eat-pray-thug-fox-comedy-1201555481/
Pitchfork
https://pitchfork.com/news/69154-heems-tv-show-is-not-happening/
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3BbyMMhFjguVC4koJBwxhW
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2017/11/jillian-bell-brittany-runs-a-marathon-michaela-watkins-utkarsh-ambudkar-lil-rel-howery-cast-1202204952/
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mulan-disney-casts-yoson-an-as-love-interest-live-action-movie-1116949
The Boston Globe
https://www.boston.com/culture/celebs/2019/05/15/ryan-reynolds-free-guy
"Production Has Begun on New Disney+ Movie "Godmothered"
https://press.disneyplus.com/news/godmothered-starts-production
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2020/07/utkarsh-ambudkar-rose-mciver-cbs-comedy-pilot-ghosts-1202974936/
Entertainment Weekly
https://ew.com/article/2014/10/17/lin-manuel-miranda-freestyle-love-supreme/
Playbill
http://www.playbill.com/article/lin-manuel-mirandas-freestyle-love-supreme-coming-to-broadway
The A.V. Club
https://www.avclub.com/meet-d-d-s-force-grey-giant-hunters-in-this-exclusive-1798249092
CBR
https://www.cbr.com/dnd-actual-play-underrated-streams/
Critical Role
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22phdGcSO6k
CBR
https://www.cbr.com/critical-role-emily-axford-aimee-carrero-utkarsh-ambudkar/
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2023/06/ghosts-utkarsh-ambudkar-interview-worlds-best-1235398432/
"'World's Best' Star Utkarsh Ambudkar on His Tanking Wizards & Resurgent Orioles | Rich Eisen Show"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-b8w6iMLY4
Bandcamp
http://utktheinc.bandcamp.com/album/members-only-ep
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/geraldine-viswanathan-dacre-montgomery-cast-broken-heart-gallery-1208801/
BroadwayWorld
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/A-Complete-Guide-to-Every-Broadway-Cameo-in-TICK-TICKBOOM-20211123
The Michigan Daily
https://www.michigandaily.com/arts/film/the-ice-age-adventures-of-buck-wild-doesnt-fit-into-the-original-series/
"Utkarsh Ambudkar (visual voices guide)"
http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Utkarsh-Ambudkar/
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2021/12/jennifer-lopez-owen-wilson-romantic-comedy-marry-me-going-theatrical-day-date-on-peacock-1234890052/
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2022/11/the-drop-film-from-duplass-brothers-sarah-adina-smith-gets-hulu-premiere-date-1235182696/
Laughing Place
https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2023/05/31/worlds-best-disney-plus-trailer/
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2023/06/morgan-freeman-gloria-reuben-utkarsh-ambudkar-my-dead-friend-zoe-1235425471/
Variety
https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/doin-it-review-lilly-singh-1235941862/
The A.V. Club
https://www.avclub.com/a-visitor-takes-a-long-look-at-apu-on-a-funny-thoughtf-1798186427
Animation World Network
https://www.awn.com/news/watch-dreamworks-harvey-street-kids-debuts-june-29
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2018/11/mira-royal-detective-disney-junior-preps-animated-series-inspired-by-india-culture-customs-1202510740/
Central Park
https://www.eonline.com/news/1157064/central-park-is-here-to-give-you-new-music-by-sara-bareilles-darren-criss-and-many-more
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2020/12/never-have-i-ever-utkarsh-ambudkar-p-j-byrne-join-season-2-of-mindy-kalings-netflix-series-1234659256/
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2021/03/ghosts-comedy-rose-mciver-utkarsh-ambudkar-series-cbs-1234725817/
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2021/03/special-charlie-barnett-max-jenkins-ana-ortiz-recur-season-2-netflix-series-1234722268/
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2021/06/the-dropout-william-h-macy-laurie-metcalf-elizabeth-marvel-utkarsh-ambudkar-kate-burton-cast-ihulu-limited-series-1234772855/
Entertainment Weekly
https://web.archive.org/web/20230916133304/https://ew.com/tv/celebrity-jeopardy-season-2-first-look-contestants-revealed
"Netflix's 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' Taps Utkarsh Ambudkar As King Bumi (EXCLUSIVE)"
https://knightedgemedia.com/2022/07/avatar-the-last-airbender-taps-utkarsh-ambudkar-exclusive/
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtywOoT4KMs
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d86bfcOYD5w
Dungeons & Dragons Wizards
https://web.archive.org/web/20170404230006/https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/force-grey-giant-hunters
Dungeons & Dragons
https://web.archive.org/web/20171119041626/https://dnd.wizards.com/forcegrey/lostcityomu
Playbill
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/hip-hop-history-of-the-word-speaks-its-mind-oct.-16-24-at-crossroads-theatr-122534
Variety
https://variety.com/2004/legit/reviews/history-of-the-word-1200530046/
Playbill
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/scott-schwartz-to-direct-new-reading-of-musical-the-me-nobody-knows-123549
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/30/arts/ice-ice-baby-urban-twists-on-an-oldfashioned-tale.html
urbanStages
http://urbanstages.org/snow-queen/
Playbill
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/vineyard-and-queens-theatres-history-of-the-word-begins-feb.-27-138814
Backstage
https://www.backstage.com/review/ny-theater/history-of-the-word/
CurtainUp
http://www.curtainup.com/historyoftheword.html
BroadwayWorld
https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/The-New-Group-Presents-Rafta-Rafta-Opening-Tonight-20080508
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/09/theater/reviews/09raft.html
BroadwayWorld
https://www.broadwayworld.com/shows/backstage.php?showid=329456#content
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/05/theater/reviews/05anim.html
BroadwayWorld
http://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Playwrights-Realms-DOV-AND-ALI-Runs-Thru-627-20090616
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/13/theater/reviews/13dov.html
BroadwayWorld
https://www.broadwayworld.com/shows/cast.php?showid=329781#content
Playbill
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/jon-kerns-modern-terrorism-with-utkarsh-ambudkar-and-steven-boyer-prem-198285
Variety
https://variety.com/2012/legit/reviews/modern-terrorism-or-they-who-want-to-kill-us-and-how-we-learn-to-love-them-1117948598/
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/19/theater/reviews/modern-terrorism-by-jon-kern-at-the-second-stage-theater.html
TheWrap
https://www.thewrap.com/who-is-utkarsh-ambudkar-the-guy-who-just-freestyle-rap-recapped-the-oscars/
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/29/theater/lin-manuel-miranda-freestyle-love-supreme.html
Playbill
http://www.playbill.com/production/freestyle-love-supreme-greenwich-house-theater-2018-2019
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/theater/freestyle-love-supreme-review.html
Playbill
http://www.playbill.com/production/freestyle-love-supremebooth-theatre
Playbill
http://www.playbill.com/article/freestyle-love-supreme-extends-on-broadway