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Kumail Nanjiani Biography

Birth Name:Kumail Nanjiani

Birth Place:Karachi, Pakistan

Profession Actor, Producer, Writer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Attended Grinnell College located in Iowa, where he majored in computer science and philosophy
Relocated to the United States at 18-years-old from his native Pakistan
Quote: "I give myself a lot of rules․ I write stand-up in the morning, give myself a half hour for lunch, then write tv stuff in the afternoon․ Also, I'm never allowed to play more than three video games at once․"
Began his comedic career with stand-up routines in Chicago during the mid-2000s before eventually relocating to Los Angeles to pursue film and television opportunities
Co-founder of the podcast The Indoor Kids, which launched in 2011
Has frequently made apperances on the podcast "Harmontown․"
Once worked as an opening act for a national tour of comic Zach Galifianakis

Awards

2017ACCA-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2017CFCA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2017CIFCC Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2017DFCS Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2017DFCC-Best Screenplay: nominated
2017FFCC Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2017Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2017Halfway Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2017LAOFCS Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2017NTFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017PFCS Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2017SDFCS Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2017Kanbar Award for Storytelling-: winner
2017SFFCC Award-Best Screenplay, Original: nominated
2017SFCS Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2017SLFCA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2017The BAM Award-Best Cast: nominated
2017The BAM Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017WAFCA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2018Oscar-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2018Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2018AFCA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2018COFCA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2018COFCA Award-Breakthrough Film Artist: nominated
2018Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2018Critics Choice Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2018Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Comedy: nominated
2018DFCS Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2018Independent Spirit Award-Best First Screenplay: winner
2018GAFCA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2018Gold Derby Film Award-Original Screenplay: nominated
2018HFCS Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2018HFCS Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2018Humanitas Prize-Comedy Feature Film: nominated
2018Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture: nominated
2018OFTA Film Award-Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
2018OFTA Film Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: Male: nominated
2018OFTA Film Award-Best Feature Debut: nominated
2018WGA Award (Screen)-Original Screenplay: nominated
2019OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2021BAFTA TV Award-International: nominated
2021Independent Spirit Award-Best New Scripted Series: nominated
2021Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series: nominated
2023OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Limited or Anthology Series: nominated
2023Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: nominated
2024Astra TV Award-Best Actor in a Limited Series or Streaming Movie: nominated
2024HFCS Award-Best Vocal/Motion Capture Performance: nominated
2025Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: winner