Kunal Nayyar
Kunal Nayyar | |
|---|---|
 Nayyar on a tour with the rest of The Big Bang Theory cast in 2008 | |
| Born | April 30, 1981 |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Temple University, University of Portland |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, writer |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Spouse | Neha Kapur (2011–present) |
Kunal Nayyar (/kʊˌnɑːl ˈnaɪər/; Hindi: कुणाल नय्यर, Punjabi: ਕੁਨਾਲ ਨੈਯ੍ਯਰ, born April 30, 1981) is a British Indian actor, voice actor and writer. He plays Raj Koothrappali in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory.
Early life
Nayyar was born in London, England and raised in New Delhi, India. He attended St Columba's School in New Delhi, where he played badminton for the school team.[1][2]
In 1999, Nayyar moved to the US to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business (Finance) from the University of Portland, Oregon.[3] Working on his degree, he started taking acting classes and appeared in several school plays.
After participating in the American College Theater Festival, Nayyar decided to become a professional actor. He then attended Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he received a Master of Fine Arts in Acting.[4]
Career
After graduating, Nayyar found work doing American television ads and plays on the London stage.[5] He first gained attention in the US for his role in the West Coast production of Rajiv Joseph's 2006 play Huck & Holden, where he portrayed an Indian exchange student anxious to experience American culture before returning home.[4] In 2006, Nayyar teamed up with Arun Das to write the play Cotton Candy, which premiered in New Delhi to positive reviews.[6]
Nayyar made a guest appearance in the CBS drama NCIS in the episode "Suspicion" (season 4, episode 12), in which he played Youssef Zidan, an Iraqi terrorist.
Nayyar's agent heard about a role for a scientist in an upcoming CBS pilot and encouraged him to audition for the part. This led to his casting in the sitcom The Big Bang Theory,[7] on which he plays astrophysicist Rajesh Koothrappali.
In 2011, he co-hosted the Tribute to Nerds show with co-star Simon Helberg at the comedy festival Just for Laughs.[8]
As of 2012, he is working on his first movie, Dr. Cabbie, in which he will be opposite famous Indian actress Katrina Kaif's sister, Isabell. He has completed the shooting of his upcoming film Dr. Cabbie in Toronto, Canada. It is being produced by famous Bollywood actor Salman Khan.[9] That same year, Nayyar voiced Gupta in Ice Age 4: Continental Drift.
Personal life
Nayyar married Miss India 2006 winner Neha Kapur in December 2011.[10]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Film | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | S.C.I.E.N.C.E | Pizza Man |
| 2012 | Ice Age: Continental Drift | Gupta (voice) |
| 2014 | The Scribbler | |
| 2014 | Dr. Cabbie |
Television
| Year | Series | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | NCIS | Youssef Zidan | Uncredited Episode: "Suspicion" |
| 2007–present | The Big Bang Theory | Raj Koothrappali | Main role |
| 2010 | The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson | Raj Koothrappali | |
| 2013–present | Sanjay and Craig | Vijay (voice) | Main role |
| 2013 | Sullivan & Son | Neal | Episode: "Ladies Night" |
Theater
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Huck and Holden | Navin | Dahlia Theater, Los Angeles, United States |
| Love's Labour's Lost | Other Parts | Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford upon Avon, United Kingdom | |
| Shakespeare Theatre Company, Lansburgh Theatre, Washington, DC, United States |
Web television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | CollegeHumor Originals | Kunal | Episode "Porn Tech Support" |
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Garland Award | Best Male Lead in a Play on the West Coast | Won | Huck and Holden |
| 2012 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Nominated | The Big Bang Theory |
References
- ^ Kapoor, Kritika (June 25, 2010). "I'd rather do social movies: Kunal Nayyar". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
- ^ Ahmed, Sana (June 28, 2008). "Going places". The Hindu. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
- ^ Successful Actors Talk About Their Training. backstage.com. Retrieved on 2012-11-17.
- ^ a b "Making it as a nerd". Rediff. November 19, 2007. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
- ^ Sahgal, Natasha (September 16, 2009). "Geek God". Indian Express. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
- ^ Chander, Romesh (June 16, 2006). "Staging the fluff of dreams". The Hindu. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
- ^ Banerjee, Sudeshna (July 7, 2008). "Mr Big Bang". The Telegraph. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
- ^ Wyatt, Nelson (July 26, 2011). "'Big Bang Theory' stars say most people can relate to being nerds". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
- ^ Dr. Cabbie at IMDb
- ^ "The Talk, CBS". Retrieved 3 March 2012.
External links
- Kunal Nayyar at IMDb
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
- 1981 births
- Living people
- People from New Delhi
- Male actors of Indian descent
- Temple University alumni
- University of Portland alumni
- Punjabi people
- St. Columba's School, Delhi alumni
- English people of Indian descent
- English expatriates in India
- English expatriates in the United States
- Male actors from London
- 21st-century English male actors
- English male film actors
- English male television actors
- English male stage actors
- People from Hammersmith