Mindy Kaling
Encyclopedia
Vera Mindy Chokalingam better known as Mindy Kaling, is an American actress, comedian, writer and producer who plays Kelly Kapoor
on the NBC
sitcom The Office. Kaling is also a co-executive producer and writer of several of the show's episodes.
, to Tamil
parents from India. Her father, Avu, is an architect and her mother, Swati, is an obstetrician/gynecologist.
She explains that she has been known as Mindy ever since her mother was pregnant with her when her parents were living in Nigeria
. They were already planning to move to the U.S. and wanted a "cute American name" for their daughter, and liked the name Mindy from the TV show Mork & Mindy. The name Vera is the name of the "incarnation of a Hindu
goddess."
She graduated from Buckingham Browne & Nichols
, a private school in Cambridge in 1997. The following year, she entered Dartmouth College
, where she was a member of the improvisational comedy troupe "The Dog Day Players" and the a cappella group "The Rockapellas", the creator of the comic strip "Badly Drawn Girl" in The Dartmouth
(the college's daily newspaper), as well as writing for the Dartmouth Jack-O-Lantern
(the college's humor magazine). She graduated in 2001. In 2003, she portrayed Ben Affleck
in a play titled "Matt & Ben", which she also co-wrote with Brenda Withers. The play was named one of Time
magazine's "Top Ten Theatrical Events of The Year".
, playing Richard Lewis
's assistant. Kaling is also featured on the CD Comedy Death-Ray
and wrote for one episode of Saturday Night Live
in April 2006.
Kaling's first film role was in The 40-Year-Old Virgin
, which starred Steve Carell
. She also made an appearance in the film Unaccompanied Minors
as a waitress. In 2007, she held a small part in License to Wed
starring fellow The Office actors John Krasinski
, Angela Kinsey
and Brian Baumgartner
. Recently, Kaling was in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
as a Smithsonian Museum of Air and Space tour guide. She also voiced the character of "Tourist Mom" in the animated comedy Despicable Me
. In 2011, she played the role of Shira, a doctor who is a flatmate and colleague of the main character Emma (played by Natalie Portman
) in No Strings Attached.
Prior to acting, one of her "worst job" experiences was as a production assistant on the Crossing Over With John Edward
psychic show.
Kaling used to maintain a blog called “Things I’ve Bought That I Love,", which reemerged on her website on September 29, 2011. She is the author of the comic memoir Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns). The book is a collection of essays about her early life and career breakthrough intertwined with short observational essays about her friends, family and relationships. She plugged her work on the 31 October 2011 episode of The Daily Show.
. She has written at least 22 episodes, including "Niagara
", for which she was co-nominated for an Emmy with Greg Daniels
. Kaling also wrote and directed the webisodes "Subtle Sexuality
" in 2009. In a 2007 interview with The A.V. Club
, Kaling stated that the Kelly character is "an exaggerated version of what I think the upper-level writers believe my personality is." After the "Diwali
" episode, Kaling appeared with Daniels on NPR's Fresh Air
.
Most recently, Kaling directed The Office webisodes titled The 3rd Floor. She also directed the season 6 episode titled "Body Language
", which marked her television directorial debut.
Kaling's contract was set to expire at the end of Season 7. On September 15, 2011, she signed a new contract to stay with the show for Season 8 and was promoted to full Executive Producer status. Her current NBC contract includes a development deal for a new show for which she will both write and act.
Kelly Kapoor
Kelly Rajnigandha Kapoor , is a fictional character from the US television series, The Office. She is played by Mindy Kaling, who is also a writer and producer for the show....
on the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
sitcom The Office. Kaling is also a co-executive producer and writer of several of the show's episodes.
Early life
Kaling was born Vera Chokalingam in Cambridge, MassachusettsCambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
, to Tamil
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
parents from India. Her father, Avu, is an architect and her mother, Swati, is an obstetrician/gynecologist.
She explains that she has been known as Mindy ever since her mother was pregnant with her when her parents were living in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
. They were already planning to move to the U.S. and wanted a "cute American name" for their daughter, and liked the name Mindy from the TV show Mork & Mindy. The name Vera is the name of the "incarnation of a Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
goddess."
She graduated from Buckingham Browne & Nichols
Buckingham Browne & Nichols
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, often referred to as BB&N, is a private school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, by the Charles River. The school educates students from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade. It was established by a merge of two independent schools, the Buckingham School founded...
, a private school in Cambridge in 1997. The following year, she entered Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
, where she was a member of the improvisational comedy troupe "The Dog Day Players" and the a cappella group "The Rockapellas", the creator of the comic strip "Badly Drawn Girl" in The Dartmouth
The Dartmouth
The Dartmouth is the daily student newspaper at Dartmouth College. Founded in 1799, it is America's oldest college newspaper. It is published by The Dartmouth, Inc., an independent, nonprofit corporation chartered in the state of New Hampshire.-History:...
(the college's daily newspaper), as well as writing for the Dartmouth Jack-O-Lantern
Dartmouth Jack-O-Lantern
The Dartmouth Jack-O-Lantern is a college humor magazine, founded at Dartmouth College in 1908.The Jacko publishes print issues approximately four times a year, as well as regularly updated online content and occasional video productions...
(the college's humor magazine). She graduated in 2001. In 2003, she portrayed Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck
Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt , better known as Ben Affleck, is an American actor, film director, writer, and producer. He became known with his performances in Kevin Smith's films such as Mallrats and Chasing Amy...
in a play titled "Matt & Ben", which she also co-wrote with Brenda Withers. The play was named one of Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine's "Top Ten Theatrical Events of The Year".
Career
Kaling's past TV appearances include a 2005 episode of Curb Your EnthusiasmCurb Your Enthusiasm
Curb Your Enthusiasm is an American comedy television series produced and broadcast by HBO, which premiered on October 15, 2000. As of 2011, it has completed 80 episodes over eight seasons. The series was created by Seinfeld co-creator Larry David, who stars as a fictionalized version of himself...
, playing Richard Lewis
Richard Lewis (comedian)
-Early life:Lewis was born in Brooklyn, New York City and was raised in Englewood, New Jersey. His father worked as a caterer and his mother was an actress. Lewis is Jewish. He later attended Ohio State University and was a member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity....
's assistant. Kaling is also featured on the CD Comedy Death-Ray
Comedy Death-Ray (album)
Comedy Death-Ray is a two disc CD collection of highlights from the weekly comedy showcase Comedy Death-Ray , released on September 11, 2007 on Comedy Central Records. Disc one was recorded January 15, 2007, at Cobb's Comedy Club in San Francisco...
and wrote for one episode of Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
in April 2006.
Kaling's first film role was in The 40-Year-Old Virgin
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a 2005 American buddy comedy film about a middle-aged man's journey to finally have sex. The film was written and directed by Judd Apatow and co-written by its lead star, Steve Carell, though the film itself features a great deal of improvised dialogue...
, which starred Steve Carell
Steve Carell
Steven John "Steve" Carell is an American comedian, actor, voice artist, producer, writer, and director. Although Carell is notable for his role on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, he found greater fame in the late 2000s for playing Michael Scott on The Office...
. She also made an appearance in the film Unaccompanied Minors
Unaccompanied Minors
Unaccompanied Minors is a 2006 comedy film directed by Paul Feig and starring Dyllan Christopher, Lewis Black, Wilmer Valderrama, Tyler James Williams, Brett Kelly, Gina Mantegna, and Quinn Shephard. Unaccompanied Minors has been rated PG by the MPAA for "mild rude humor and language"...
as a waitress. In 2007, she held a small part in License to Wed
License to Wed
License to Wed is a 2007 romantic comedy film starring Robin Williams, Mandy Moore, and John Krasinski and directed by Ken Kwapis. The film was released in theaters on July 3, 2007.-Plot:...
starring fellow The Office actors John Krasinski
John Krasinski
John Burke Krasinski is an American actor, film director, and writer. He is most widely known for playing Jim Halpert on the NBC sitcom The Office...
, Angela Kinsey
Angela Kinsey
Angela Kinsey is an American actress. She currently appears as the uptight accountant Angela Martin on the hit NBC television series The Office.-Personal life:...
and Brian Baumgartner
Brian Baumgartner
Brian Baumgartner is an Emmy Award-winning American film and television actor, best known for playing Kevin Malone on The Office.-Personal life:...
. Recently, Kaling was in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is an American adventure comedy film directed by Shawn Levy, and starring Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Robin Williams, and Steve Coogan. The film is a sequel to Night at the Museum...
as a Smithsonian Museum of Air and Space tour guide. She also voiced the character of "Tourist Mom" in the animated comedy Despicable Me
Despicable Me
Despicable Me is a 2010 American computer-animated 3D comedy film from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment that was released on July 9, 2010 in the United States. The film features the voices of Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, and...
. In 2011, she played the role of Shira, a doctor who is a flatmate and colleague of the main character Emma (played by Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman
Natalie Hershlag , better known by her stage name Natalie Portman, is an actress with dual American and Israeli citizenship. Her first role was as an orphan taken in by a hitman in the 1994 French action film Léon, but major success came when she was cast as Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel...
) in No Strings Attached.
Prior to acting, one of her "worst job" experiences was as a production assistant on the Crossing Over With John Edward
John Edward
John Edward McGee, Jr. is an American television personality and professional psychic medium. He is best known for his TV shows Crossing Over with John Edward and John Edward Cross Country....
psychic show.
Kaling used to maintain a blog called “Things I’ve Bought That I Love,", which reemerged on her website on September 29, 2011. She is the author of the comic memoir Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns). The book is a collection of essays about her early life and career breakthrough intertwined with short observational essays about her friends, family and relationships. She plugged her work on the 31 October 2011 episode of The Daily Show.
The Office
Kaling first joined The Office as a writer when she was 24, as the only woman on a staff of eight, and then took on the role of character Kelly KapoorKelly Kapoor
Kelly Rajnigandha Kapoor , is a fictional character from the US television series, The Office. She is played by Mindy Kaling, who is also a writer and producer for the show....
. She has written at least 22 episodes, including "Niagara
Niagara (The Office)
"Niagara" is an hour-long episode of the sixth season of the U.S. comedy series The Office. It is the 4th and 5th episodes in the season's episode count and the 104th and 105th episode of the series overall. The episode was written by executive producer Greg Daniels and Mindy Kaling, and was...
", for which she was co-nominated for an Emmy with Greg Daniels
Greg Daniels
Gregory Martin "Greg" Daniels is an American television comedy writer, producer, and director.-Life and career:...
. Kaling also wrote and directed the webisodes "Subtle Sexuality
Subtle Sexuality
Subtle Sexuality is a spin-off series of mini-episodes of The Office. It premiered as original internet-only content, available online at NBC.com. It aired its episodes on October 29, 2009.-Cast:*Mindy Kaling as Kelly Kapoor...
" in 2009. In a 2007 interview with The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
, Kaling stated that the Kelly character is "an exaggerated version of what I think the upper-level writers believe my personality is." After the "Diwali
Diwali (The Office)
"Diwali" is the sixth episode of the third season of the American comedy television series The Office—the show's 34th overall. Written by Mindy Kaling, who also acts in the show as Kelly Kapoor, and directed by Miguel Arteta, the episode first aired on November 2, 2006 on NBC, twelve days after the...
" episode, Kaling appeared with Daniels on NPR's Fresh Air
Fresh Air
Fresh Air is an American radio talk show broadcast on National Public Radio stations across the United States. The show is produced by WHYY-FM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its longtime host is Terry Gross. , the show was syndicated to 450 stations and claimed 4.5 million listeners. The show...
.
Most recently, Kaling directed The Office webisodes titled The 3rd Floor. She also directed the season 6 episode titled "Body Language
Body Language (The Office)
"Body Language" is the 23rd episode of the sixth season of the U.S. comedy series The Office and the show's 123rd episode overall. It aired on April 29, 2010 on NBC....
", which marked her television directorial debut.
Kaling's contract was set to expire at the end of Season 7. On September 15, 2011, she signed a new contract to stay with the show for Season 8 and was promoted to full Executive Producer status. Her current NBC contract includes a development deal for a new show for which she will both write and act.
Episodes written
- "Hot Girl" (April 26, 2005) - Season 1
- "The DundiesThe Dundies"The Dundies" is the second season premiere of the American comedy television series The Office—the show's seventh episode overall. Written by Mindy Kaling and directed by Greg Daniels, who is also a producer for the show, the episode originally aired in the United States on September 20, 2005 on...
" (September 20, 2005) - Season 2 - "The InjuryThe Injury"The Injury" is the twelfth episode of the second season of the American comedy television series The Office—the show's eighteenth episode overall...
" (January 12, 2006) - Season 2 - "Take Your Daughter to Work Day" (March 16, 2006) - Season 2
- "DiwaliDiwali (The Office)"Diwali" is the sixth episode of the third season of the American comedy television series The Office—the show's 34th overall. Written by Mindy Kaling, who also acts in the show as Kelly Kapoor, and directed by Miguel Arteta, the episode first aired on November 2, 2006 on NBC, twelve days after the...
" (November 2, 2006) - Season 3 - "Ben FranklinBen Franklin (The Office)"Ben Franklin" is the fifteenth episode of the third season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show's forty-third episode overall. Written by Mindy Kaling, who also acts in the show as Kelly Kapoor, and directed by Randall Einhorn, the episode first aired in the United...
" (February 1, 2007) - Season 3 - "Branch WarsBranch Wars"Branch Wars" is the tenth episode of the fourth season of the American comedy television series The Office—the show's sixty-third episode overall. Written by Mindy Kaling and directed by Joss Whedon, the episode originally aired in the United States on November 1, 2007 on NBC...
" (November 1, 2007) - Season 4 - "Night OutNight Out"Night Out" is the fifteenth episode of the fourth season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show's sixty-eighth episode overall. The episode was written by Mindy Kaling and directed by Ken Whittingham. It first aired in the United States on April 24, 2008 on NBC...
" (April 24, 2008) - Season 4 - "Frame TobyFrame Toby"Frame Toby" is the ninth episode of the fifth season of the television series The Office, and the show's eighty-first episode overall. The episode aired in the United States on November 20, 2008 on NBC....
" (November 20, 2008) - Season 5 - "Lecture Circuit: Part 1Lecture Circuit"Lecture Circuit" is a two-part episode of the American comedy television series The Office. They constituted the sixteenth and seventeenth episodes of the fifth season, and the 88th and 89th overall episodes of the series...
" (February 5, 2009) - Season 5 - "Lecture Circuit: Part 2Lecture Circuit"Lecture Circuit" is a two-part episode of the American comedy television series The Office. They constituted the sixteenth and seventeenth episodes of the fifth season, and the 88th and 89th overall episodes of the series...
" (February 12, 2009) - Season 5 - "Golden TicketGolden Ticket (The Office)"Golden Ticket" is the 19th episode of the fifth season of the television series The Office, and the 91st overall episode of the series. It originally aired on NBC in the United States on March 12, 2009....
" (March 12, 2009) - Season 5 - "NiagaraNiagara (The Office)"Niagara" is an hour-long episode of the sixth season of the U.S. comedy series The Office. It is the 4th and 5th episodes in the season's episode count and the 104th and 105th episode of the series overall. The episode was written by executive producer Greg Daniels and Mindy Kaling, and was...
" co-written with Greg DanielsGreg DanielsGregory Martin "Greg" Daniels is an American television comedy writer, producer, and director.-Life and career:...
(October 8, 2009) - Season 6 - "Secret SantaSecret Santa (The Office)"Secret Santa" is the 13th episode of the sixth season of the U.S. comedy series The Office and the show's 113th episode overall. It was written by Mindy Kaling and directed by Randall Einhorn...
" (December 10, 2009) - Season 6 - "The Manager and the Salesman" (February 11, 2010) - Season 6
- "Secretary's DaySecretary's Day (The Office)"Secretary's Day" is the 22nd episode of the sixth season of the U.S. comedy series The Office and the show's 122nd episode overall. It aired on April 22, 2010 on NBC. It was written by Mindy Kaling, who portrays Kelly Kapoor on the series, and directed by Steve Carell, who portrays Michael Scott...
" (April 22, 2010) - Season 6 - "The StingThe Sting (The Office)"The Sting" is the fifth episode of the seventh season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show's 131st episode overall. Written by Mindy Kaling and directed by Randall Einhorn, the episode aired on NBC in the United States on October 21, 2010...
" (October 21, 2010) - Season 7 - "Classy ChristmasClassy Christmas"Classy Christmas" is the eleventh and twelfth episodes of the seventh season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show's 137th and 138th episodes overall...
" (December 9, 2010) - Season 7 - "Michael's Last DundiesMichael's Last Dundies"Michael's Last Dundies" is the twenty-first episode of the seventh season of the American comedy television series The Office and the show's 147th episode overall. Written and directed by Mindy Kaling, the episode aired on April 21, 2011, on NBC. The episode revolves around Michael training his...
" (April 21, 2011) - Season 7
Episodes Directed
- "Body LanguageBody Language (The Office)"Body Language" is the 23rd episode of the sixth season of the U.S. comedy series The Office and the show's 123rd episode overall. It aired on April 29, 2010 on NBC....
" (April 29, 2010) - Season 6 - "Michael's Last DundiesMichael's Last Dundies"Michael's Last Dundies" is the twenty-first episode of the seventh season of the American comedy television series The Office and the show's 147th episode overall. Written and directed by Mindy Kaling, the episode aired on April 21, 2011, on NBC. The episode revolves around Michael training his...
" (April 21, 2011) - Season 7
Awards and nominations
| Year | Group | Award | Won | Film/Television series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Writers Guild of America Awards | New Series | No | The Office |
| Comedy Series | No | |||
| 2006 | Screen Actors Guild Awards Screen Actors Guild Awards A Screen Actors Guild Award is an accolade given by the Screen Actors Guild to recognize outstanding performances by its members. The statuette given, a nude male figure holding both a mask of comedy and a mask of tragedy, is called "The Actor"... |
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Yes | |
| Writers Guild of America Awards | Comedy Series | Yes | ||
| Emmy Awards | Outstanding Comedy Series | Yes | ||
| 2007 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Yes | |
| Emmy Awards | Outstanding Comedy Series | No | ||
| Writers Guild of America Awards | Episodic Comedy - for episode Local Ad Local Ad "Local Ad" is the ninth episode of the fourth season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show's sixty-second episode overall. The episode was written by B. J. Novak, who also acts in the show as Ryan Howard, and directed by Jason Reitman... |
No | ||
| Comedy Series | No | |||
| 2008 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | No | |
| Emmy Awards | Outstanding Comedy Series | No | ||
| Writers Guild of America Awards | Comedy Series | No | ||
| 2009 | Prism Awards | Performance in a Comedy Series | No |