Kumail Nanjiani

Kumail Ali Nanjiani, born on May 2, 1978, is a Pakistani-American stand-up comedian and actor. He has an extensive career in the entertainment industry, known for playing Dinesh's role in the HBO comedy series Silicon Valley and co-writing and starring in the romantic comedy film The Big Sick. He's been in the spotlight since 2007, lending his voice to animated series like Adventure Time and starring in television programs like Franklin & Bash and The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail. Beyond small screen ventures, he is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing Kingo in the film Eternals. Kumailrose to new heights in 2022 when he bagged the lead role for Hulu miniseries Welcome to Chippendales.

Nanjiani's early life started in Karachi, where he had a traditional education before he moved to the US and enrolled at Grinnell College in Iowa. Following his graduation, he moved to Chicago and began performing stand-up comedy. His career took off in 2007 when he began writing and staging his own shows in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. His stand-out performances include the Just for Laughs comedy festival and his critically acclaimed work in The Big Sick, which earned him an Academy Award nomination. Despite his predominantly comedic work, Nanjiani has shown versatility with roles in drama series like The Twilight Zone, where he nabbed a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.