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Kumail Ali Nanjiani, better known as Kumail Nanjiani, is a Pakistani-American comedian, actor, screenwriter, and a podcaster. He is best known for his role of ‘Dinesh’ in HBO’s comedy series “Silicon Valley” (2014-2019) and for co-writing and featuring in the American romantic comedy “The Big Sick” (2017).
Wiki/Biography
Kumail Nanjiani was born on Tuesday, 21 February 1978 (age 42 years; as in 2020) in Karachi, Pakistan. His zodiac sign is Pisces.
Kumail Nanjiani in his childhood
He did his schooling from Karachi’s St. Michael’s Convent School and Karachi Grammar School. Nanjiani was inclined towards comedy since childhood and he grew up reading comic books and watching action films. After completing his schooling, Kumail moved to the US and enrolled himself in Iowa’s Grinnell College to pursue a double graduation in Computer Science and Philosophy.
Kumail Nanjiani in his young age
After completing his graduation, Kumail did an office job for around six years. As Kumail was not interested in a regular desk job, he resigned from his office and decided to try his hands in comedy.
Physical Appearance
Height: 5′ 8½”
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family & Caste
Kumail Nanjiani was born to a Sindhi couple in Karachi. He grew up as a Shia Muslim and later, became an athiest.
Parents & Siblings
Kumail Nanjiani is the son of Aijaz Nanjiani (Doctor) and Shabana Nanjiani. He has a younger brother, Zain Nanjiani, who is a banker in the US.
Kumail Nanjiani’s parents
Wife
Kumail Nanjiani went into a relationship with the family therapist, Emily Vance Gordon in 2006. However, he kept his relation a secrect from his parents; as they were looking for a Pakistani Muslim girl for him. It was when Emily fell sick with an inflammatory disease that Nanjiani opened about his relationship to his parents. At that time, Emily was very ill and went into a medically induced coma for eight months. Once she recovered from her sickness, his parents insisted them to tie the knot. The couple got married in a secret courthouse wedding in Chicago on 14 July 2007. Two weeks later, a traditional Pakistani wedding was arranged for them.
Kumail Nanjiani alongside his wife, Emily Vance Gordon
Other Relatives
Kumail is the second cousin of the Scottish radio presenter, Shereen Nanjiani.
Kumail Nanjiani with his cousin Shereen Nanjiani
Career
Television
Kumail Nanjiani started his career in 2007 as a standup comedian with the one-man show “Unpronounceable” at Chicago’s Lakeshore Theatre. The show was a huge success and gained widespread media attention. In 2008, he made his television debut by appearing as an Indian reporter in the show “Saturday Night Live.”
Kumail Nanjiani in his show “Saturday Night Live
Next, he featured in two episodes of the TV show “The Colbert Report.” In 2009, he played the role of a Pakistani staffer in the television comedy series “Michael & Michael Have Issues.” Subsequently, he appeared in TV shows like “Ugly Americans,” “Googy,” “Adventure Time,” “Bob’s Burgers,” and “The Twilight Zone.”
Kumail Nanjiani in his TV show The Twilight Zone
Films
Kumail made his film debut 2010, with the romantic comedy “Life as We Know It.” Subsequently, he did small roles in films like “The Five-Year Engagement,” “The Kings of Summer,” “Hell Baby,” and “Sex Tape.” Some of his films 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 in 2009 with the web series “Jake and Amir.” Thereafter, he appeared in many web series like “Hunt The Truth,” “Game Grumps,” “Movie Fights,” and “Gay of Thrones.”
Other Work
In 2011, Kumail hosted the video game and nerd culture podcast “The Indoor Kids.” alongside Ali Baker. A month later, Baker was replaced by Kumail’s wife Emily. Nanjiani gained immense popularity in the US after portraying the role of ‘Dinesh Chugtai’ in HBO sitcom “Silicon Valley.” Subsequently, his show “The Meltdown” became a huge hit and made him a household name in the US. Besides television and movies, he has also lent his voice for video games like “The Walking Dead: Season Two,” “Mass Effect: Andromeda,” and “Middle-earth: Shadow of War.”
Awards & Achievements
- Kanbar Award for Storytelling for the film “The Big Sick” (2017)
- Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay for the film “The Big Sick” (2017)
- Auteur Award at San Diego International Film Festival (2017)
Favourite Things
- Dessert: Panna Cotta, Swiss Roll
- Travel Destination: Los Angeles
- Quote: Strive for progress not perfection.
Facts/Trivia
- His hobbies include travelling 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 from his family to go abroad. The first being one of his uncle, who settled in Scotland.
- He belongs to a family of doctors, and his parents also wanted him to be a doctor.
- He is a fitness enthusiast and visits the gym regularly.
- In April 2018, Nanjiani bagged a place in TIME magazine’s “The 100 Most Influential People” (Pioneers).
- Kumail is an avid animal lover and owns a pet dog, Barley.