Mindy Kaling Biography
Mindy Kaling is an American actress, screenwriter, and producer. She is famous for her role as Kelly Kapoor on the NBC sitcom "The Office." Kaling showcased her creative prowess by creating, producing, and starring in "The Mindy Project." Her impact extends beyond television, as she successfully developed and contributed to various hit shows, including "Champions" (2018), "Four Weddings and a Funeral" (2019), "Never Have I Ever" (2020–2023), and "The Sex Lives of College Girls" (2021–present). She has also lent her voice to animated favorites like "Despicable Me" (2010), "Wreck-It Ralph" (2012), and "Inside Out" (2015). Her diverse film roles span both animated and live-action projects, including notable appearances in "No Strings Attached" (2011), "A Wrinkle in Time" and "Ocean's 8" (both 2018), and "Late Night" (2019).
Famous For
- Mindy is famous for playing the main role of Kelly Kapoor in the NBC sitcom "The Office" (2005–2013)
- For creating and starring in an American romantic comedy TV series "The Mindy Project" (2012–2017)
Mindy Kaling Ethnicity
Mindy Kaling, born on June 24, 1979, originally hails from Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Vera Mindy Chokalingam is her birth name. Mindy, belonging to Indian-Asian ethnicity, holds American nationality. She celebrated her 44th birthday in 2023. She was born to Indian parents—her father, Avu Chokalingam, an architect, and her mother, Swati Chokalingam, a gynecologist. The family relocated to the United States in 1979. Sadly, Mindy's mother passed away in 2012 due to pancreatic cancer. Mindy also has a brother named Vijay Jojo Chokalingam, who is involved in the field of education. Her parents, of Tamilian and Bengali descent, met while working at the same hospital in Nigeria, where her father oversaw the construction of a hospital wing, and her mother served as an OB/GYN.
For her educational journey, Kaling graduated from Buckingham Browne & Nichols, a private school in Cambridge, in 1997. The following year, she pursued her higher education at Dartmouth College, earning a Bachelor's degree in playwriting in 2001.
Mindy Kaling Career
- During her sophomore year at Dartmouth, Mindy Kaling interned on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
- After college, she endured a challenging stint as a production assistant on the "Crossing Over With John Edward" psychic show, which she found "depressing."
- Simultaneously, she pursued stand-up comedy, touring solo and with Craig Robinson.
- Kaling adopted her stage name due to pronunciation challenges with her original last name, Chokalingam.
- Her foray into theater included co-writing and starring in the off-Broadway hit "Matt & Ben", a playful reimagining of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's friendship.
- Kaling also maintained a blog, "Things I've Bought That I Love", initially under the pseudonym Mindy Ephron, reflecting her amusement at being a hypothetical Ephron sister.
- In 2004, Mindy joined "The Office" as a writer-performer under producer Greg Daniels, who admired her originality and a keen eye for authenticity.
- At just 24, she became the sole woman on the eight-member writing staff, debuting as the character Kelly Kapoor in the show's second episode.
- Kaling's multifaceted contributions extended to directing episodes, including her debut with "Body Language" in Season 6.
- Her role expanded as she signed a new contract in 2011, securing a promotion to full executive producer for Season 8.
- She left "The Office" after the ninth season but returned for the series finale.
- Alongside her TV success, she published the best-selling memoir "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)" in 2011, followed by "Why Not Me?" in 2015, and a third memoir, "Nothing Like I Imagined (Except For Sometimes)," in 2020.
- She also addressed challenges related to sexism in the Television Academy, highlighting the hurdles she faced in securing due credit for her role as a producer on "The Office."
- In addition to her television endeavors, she made appearances in films such as "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian."
- In 2012, she pitched and produced the single-camera comedy "The Mindy Project" for Fox, in which she also starred.
- During the same year, she founded her production company, Kaling International.
- Recognized for her influence, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2013.
- Despite Fox canceling "The Mindy Project" in 2015, Hulu picked it up for subsequent seasons.
- Kaling expanded her creative reach, lending her voice to animated films like Disney's "Wreck-It Ralph" and Pixar's "Inside Out."
- In 2017, NBC premiered "Champions," a show she co-created, wrote, and produced, and she took on roles in "A Wrinkle in Time" and "Ocean's 8."
- Kaling continued to break ground with the Netflix series "Never Have I Ever," based on her Boston upbringing.
- In 2021, HBO Max announced Kaling's involvement as an executive producer and the voice of Velma in the adult-oriented Scooby-Doo spin-off series "Velma."
- Despite mixed reviews, in 2023, she earned a board position at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art, alongside historian June Li and Young Yang Chung.
- She is set to co-write the third installment in the Legally Blonde series with Dan Goor.
Mindy Kaling Awards
- 2006: Screen Actors Guild Awards - Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series (The Office) - Won
- 2006: Writers Guild of America Awards - Comedy Series (The Office) - Won
- 2007: Screen Actors Guild Awards - Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series (The Office) - Won
- 2013: Gracie Awards - Outstanding Producer – Entertainment (The Mindy Project) - Won
- 2013: Asian Excellence Awards - Supporting Television Actress (The Office) - Won
- 2015: Satellite Awards - Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Series (The Mindy Project) - Won
- 2015: Readers Choice Awards - Reader's Choice Award for Best Humor Book (Why Not Me?) - Won
- 2022: Tony Award - Best Musical (A Strange Loop) - Won
Mindy Kaling Personal Life
Mindy Kaling is currently unmarried and she is single as of now. She is prioritizing her career over a romantic relationship. Despite her unmarried status, she has embraced motherhood with joy, being the proud parent of two children: daughter Katherine Swati, born in December 2017, and son Spencer Avu, born on September 3, 2020. Mindy has chosen to keep the identity of her children's father private, focusing on nurturing a happy and fulfilling life for her family.
Mindy previously had a significant relationship with American writer Benjamin Nugent, renowned for his novel "American Nerd: The Story of My People." The pair began dating in April 2008 but eventually parted ways in 2012 after a four-year relationship. Before Benjamin, Mindy shared a romantic history with actor B. J. Novak from 2005 to 2007, a period marked by on-and-off dating while collaborating on the television series "The Office." Despite the end of their romantic involvement, Kaling fondly refers to B.J. Novak as her best friend, highlighting the enduring nature of their connection.
Mindy Kaling Net Worth
Mindy Kaling has established herself as a multifaceted figure in the entertainment industry, boasting success as an actress, screenwriter, and producer. With an estimated net worth of $35 million in 2023, she commands an annual salary exceeding $5 million from her diverse professional endeavors. Notably, she earned $60,000 per episode for her role on "The Office". Her primary source of wealth stems from her extensive entertainment career, further augmented by her authorship of multiple books. In 2017, Forbes recognized her as the third-highest-paid TV actress, citing earnings from "The Mindy Project," "A Wrinkle in Time," and "Ocean's 8," totaling $13 million.
In 2019, Mindy secured a substantial six-year overall deal with Warner Bros., a deal reported to be in the mid-eight figures, equating to approximately $8.5 million annually. Beyond her professional pursuits, she has diversified her investments, channeling over $10 million into Los Angeles real estate. Her commercial ventures, including endorsements for Nationwide Insurance, American Express Credit Card, and the Xfinity X1 Platform, have further expanded her financial portfolio. Presently, Mindy Kaling enjoys a lavish lifestyle.
Mindy Kaling Height
Mindy Kaling, with a height of 5 feet 4 inches and a body weight of approximately 65 kg, maintains a body measurement of 36-29-37 inches. She has an average body type. Sporting a 34B bra cup size, she wears a dress size of 10 (US) or 40 (EU) and opts for shoes in size 7 (US) or 37.5 (EU). Accentuating her features, Mindy possesses dark brown eyes and black hair. Her commitment to fitness is evident through a dynamic workout routine that includes barre boutique classes, running, and periodic changes to her exercise regimen.
