✦ Celebrity stories, facts and career updates. Explore F4U now →

Home › Biography › Kumail Nanjiani

Kumail Nanjiani biographyFeatured Biography

Image source: StarsUnfolded

Celebrities

Kumail Nanjiani Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 5, 2026 • 3 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth21 February 1978

Age42 Years

BirthplaceKarachi, Pakistan

ProfessionComedian, Actor, Screenwriter, Podcaster

NationalityPakistani-American

Marital statusMarried

SpouseEmily V. Gordon

FamilyFather: Aijaz Nanjiani; Mother: Shabana Nanjiani; Brother: Zain Nanjiani

Kumail Nanjiani Biography

Kumail Ali Nanjiani is a Pakistani-American comedian, actor, screenwriter and podcaster best known for his role on HBO's Silicon Valley and for co-writing

Early life and background

Kumail Ali Nanjiani was born on February 21, 1978, in Karachi, Pakistan. Raised in a middle-class household, he attended St. Michael’s Convent School and Karachi Grammar School before moving to the United States for higher education. He graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa with degrees in computer science and philosophy.

Although born into a family of doctors, Nanjiani pursued a different path. He spent several years working in an office job after college while developing a career in comedy on the side.

Career

Nanjiani began performing stand-up in Chicago, launching his comedy career in 2007 with a show called "Unpronounceable" at the Lakeshore Theatre. That early work led to television opportunities: his first TV appearance came on Saturday Night Live in 2008, and he steadily expanded his presence across comedy and voice work.

He is widely recognized for portraying Dinesh on HBO’s Silicon Valley, a series that ran from 2014 to 2019. Nanjiani co-wrote and starred in the 2017 romantic comedy The Big Sick, a project that earned critical attention and several awards for its storytelling. His film debut was in Life as We Know It (2010), and he has since appeared in movies such as Hot Tub Time Machine 2, Goosebumps, Fist Fight, Men in Black: International, and The Lovebirds.

Nanjiani has also contributed to a variety of television and web projects. His TV credits include The Colbert Report, Michael & Michael Have Issues, Ugly Americans, Adventure Time, Bob’s Burgers and The Twilight Zone. On the web, he appeared in Jake and Amir in 2009 and has been involved in other digital series and podcasts.

In addition to on-screen acting, he has performed voice work for video games including The Walking Dead: Season Two, Mass Effect: Andromeda, and Middle-earth: Shadow of War.

Public profile

Nanjiani’s work on The Big Sick brought him industry recognition; the film received awards such as the Kanbar Award for Storytelling and the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay. In April 2018 he was named among TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the Pioneers category.

He is known for maintaining a disciplined approach to fitness and is a dog lover; he has a pet dog named Barley. Nanjiani is the second cousin of Scottish radio presenter Shereen Nanjiani.

Personal life

Nanjiani married Emily V. Gordon, an author and producer, in a courthouse ceremony on July 14, 2007. The two began dating in 2006. His parents are Aijaz Nanjiani and Shabana Nanjiani; he has a younger brother, Zain Nanjiani.

Nanjiani was raised Shia Muslim and later identified as an atheist. He lists biryani and gyros among his favorite foods, and cites actors such as Hugh Grant and Angelina Jolie among favorites.

Latest updates

Beyond his ongoing public projects, Nanjiani’s film and television credits and his recognition on lists like TIME’s 100 underscore his continued presence in comedy and film. He remains active across stand-up, television, film and voice work.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Kumail Nanjiani, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded
◈

Recent Work

The Big Sick

Co-writer and performer in the 2017 romantic comedy that earned awards for its storytelling and screenplay.

2017
Silicon Valley

Portrayed the role of Dinesh on the HBO comedy series from 2014 to 2019.

2014-2019
✦

Career Highlights

  1. Portrayed Dinesh on HBO’s Silicon Valley (2014–2019)
  2. Co-wrote and starred in The Big Sick (2017)
  3. Made television debut on Saturday Night Live (2008)
  4. Featured on TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list (2018)
  5. Voice work in major video games including Mass Effect: Andromeda and The Walking Dead: Season Two
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

?

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Kumail Nanjiani born?

Kumail Nanjiani was born on 21 February 1978.

What is Kumail Nanjiani known for?

Kumail Nanjiani is known for comedian, Actor, Screenwriter, Podcaster.

What is Kumail Nanjiani’s marital status?

Kumail Nanjiani's marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Kumail Nanjiani married to?

Kumail Nanjiani is publicly listed as married to Emily V. Gordon.