{{short description|American actor and comedian (born 1993)}} {{Use American English|date=December 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Nik Dodani | image = NikDodani BuildSeries.jpg | caption = Dodani in 2018 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|12|19}} | birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbs.com/shows/murphy-brown/cast/215906/|title=Nik Dodani – Murphy Brown Cast Member|publisher=CBS}}</ref> | occupation = {{flatlist | * Actor * comedian}} | known_for = {{flatlist | * ''Atypical'' * ''Murphy Brown''}} | alma_mater = | years_active = 2008–present | title = }} '''Nik Dodani''' (born December 19, 1993) is an American actor, writer, and comedian known for his roles as Zahid in the Netflix comedy-drama series ''Atypical'', and Pat Patel in the revival of the popular CBS sitcom ''Murphy Brown''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/08/atypical-showrunner-robia-rashid-interview.html|title=Atypical Creator Robia Rashid on Autism: 'I Had to Do a Lot of Real Learning'|last=Fernandez|first=Maria Elena|work=Vulture|access-date=August 15, 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=March 16, 2018|title='Murphy Brown': Jake McDorman To Play Son Avery in CBS Revival; Nik Dodani Cast|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/murphy-brown-jake-mcdorman-star-cbs-revival-nik-dodani-cast-1202339305/|access-date=December 1, 2020|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Career == === Acting === Nik Dodani began his acting career in Phoenix-area community theater, his first notable role being Zero in a staged production of ''Holes'' based on the novel by Louis Sachar.<ref name=":1" /> Dodani made his television debut in season 2 of HBO's ''The Comeback'' starring Lisa Kudrow.<ref name=":1" />
On television, Dodani has also appeared in ABC's ''Big Sky'',<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2022 |title=Nik Dodani, Fresh Off Broadway, Is Ready to Be the Main Character |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/new-hollywood-2022-nik-dodani |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=Teen Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref> Netflix's ''Trinkets'', TBS's ''Angie Tribeca'', Comedy Central's ''Idiotsitter'',<ref>[https://deadline.com/2017/06/caitlin-mehner-the-best-of-enemies-priyanka-bose-mortal-nik-dodani-alex-stangelove-1202113883/ "Nik Dodani Boards 'Alex Strangelove'"] ''Deadline Hollywood'', and Netflix's ''Atypical''. Retrieved July 6, 2017.</ref> Freeform's ''Kevin from Work'', and NBC's ''The Player,'' among others.<ref>[http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Scoop-THE-PLAYER-on-NBC-Today-October-22-2015-20151021 "Scoop: The Player on NBC – Tonight, October 22, 2015"] ''Broadway World''. Retrieved April 28, 2016.</ref>
In film, Dodani has appeared in Netflix's ''Alex Strangelove'',<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/us-canada-news/netflix-original-alex-stangelove-to-feature-indian-american-actor-nik-dodani/articleshow/59190044.cms "Netflix original 'Alex Stangelove' to feature Indian-American actor Nik Dodani"] ''The Times of India''. Retrieved July 6, 2017.</ref> Joshua Leonard's independent film ''Dark Was the Night'' opposite Marisa Tomei and Charlie Plummer,<ref>[https://variety.com/2015/film/news/marisa-tomei-timothy-olyphant-charlie-plummer-behold-my-heart-1201656579/ "Marisa Tomei, Timothy Olyphant Starring in 'Behold My Heart'"] ''Variety''. Retrieved April 28, 2016.</ref> the Sony Pictures thriller ''Escape Room,''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/tyler-labine-jay-ellis-nik-dodani-sony-the-maze-1202173776/|title=Tyler Labine, 'Insecure's Jay Ellis & Nik Dodani Join Sony's 'The Maze'|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=September 22, 2017|work=Deadline|access-date=November 7, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> Hannah Marks' feature film ''Mark, Mary & Some Other People,''<ref>{{Cite web|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=February 20, 2020|title='Riverdale's Hayley Law, Ben Rosenfield To Star in Open Relationship Comedy 'Mark, Mary & Some Other People' From Hannah Marks|url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/hayley-law-ben-rosenfield-mark-mary-some-other-people-hannah-marks-1202864680/|access-date=December 1, 2020|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref> and Stephen Chbosky's film adaptation of Broadway musical ''Dear Evan Hansen'' as Jared, who was re-conceived as "Jared Kalwani" to celebrate Dodani's casting.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=August 19, 2020 |title=Nik Dodani and Colton Ryan Join Universal's 'Dear Evan Hansen' Adaptation |url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/nik-dodani-and-colton-ryannik-dodani-colton-ryan-join-universals-dear-evan-hansen-adaptation-1203017780/ |access-date=August 19, 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Lakritz|first=Talia|title=How old the stars of the 'Dear Evan Hansen' movie are compared to their characters|url=https://www.insider.com/dear-evan-hansen-movie-actors-ages-2021-5|access-date=June 1, 2021|website=Insider|language=en-US}}</ref> In July 2024, he appeared in Lee Isaac Chung's ''Twisters'', a follow up to the 1996 film ''Twister''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=May 17, 2023 |title='Twisters': Maura Tierney, Sasha Lane, Kiernan Shipka & David Corenswet Among Final Additions To Lee Isaac Chung's Disaster Pic For Uni, Amblin And Warner Bros |url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/twisters-adds-david-corenswet-kiernan-shipka-sasha-lane-maura-tierney-1235370095/ |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
In March 2022, it was announced he would lead the New Line Cinema comedy ''The Parenting'', opposite Brandon Flynn, Lisa Kudrow and Brian Cox. The film will be released on Max on March 13, 2025.<ref name="hollywoodreporter.com">{{Cite web |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |date=March 21, 2022 |title=Nik Dodani, Brandon Flynn Join New Line Comedy 'The Parenting' (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/nik-dodani-brandon-flynn-the-parenting-1235115901/ |access-date=July 26, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=February 12, 2025 |title=Horror Comedy 'The Parenting' Set For Max Launch |url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/the-parenting-streaming-premiere-date-max-1236287002/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
Dodani has voiced characters on numerous animated programs, including Nickelodeon's ''Big Nate'', Disney's ''The Owl House'' and ''Hailey's On It!'', and Disney Junior's ''Mira, Royal Detective''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dar |first=Taimur |date=June 26, 2023 |title=New characters make their debut in Big Nate Season 2 |url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/big-nate-season-2-trailer/ |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=The Beat |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=May 17, 2021 |title='The Owl House' Renewed For Season 3 By Disney Channel Ahead Of Season 2 Premiere |url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/the-owl-house-renewed-season-3-by-disney-channel-ahead-season-2-premiere-1234755866/ |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2023 |title='Hailey's On It' starring Auli'i Cravalho, Manny Jacinto premieres on Disney Channel |url=https://nextshark.com/haileys-on-it-aulii-cravalho-disney/ |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yount |first=Stacey |date=April 6, 2022 |title=Mira, Royal Detective to feature four extended-length specials that celebrate Bollywood music and dance |url=https://bollyspice.com/mira-royal-detective-to-feature-four-extended-length-specials-that-celebrate-bollywood-music-and-dance/ |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=BollySpice.com - The latest movies, interviews in Bollywood |language=en-US}}</ref> Dodani also voiced a character in the 2022 Disney animated film ''Strange World''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 23, 2022 |title=Strange World (2022) (B+) |url=https://www.avclub.com/film/reviews/strange-world-2022 |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en}}</ref>
He made his Broadway debut as Ogie in ''Waitress'' from October 19 to November 27, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 19, 2021 |title=Nik Dodani |url=https://www.playbill.com/person/nik-dodani |access-date=December 9, 2021 |website=Playbill}}</ref>
=== Stand-up comedy === Dodani began performing stand-up comedy in 2015 and made his late-night stand-up comedy debut on ''The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'' on September 28, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.advocate.com/comedy/2018/9/29/murphy-brown-star-jokes-about-being-gay-and-indian-stephen-colbert|title=Murphy Brown Star Jokes About Being Gay and Indian on Stephen Colbert|date=September 29, 2018|access-date=October 1, 2018|language=en}}</ref>
=== Writing and producing === In October 2018, it was announced that Dodani would write the screenplay for the film adaptation of Rakesh Satyal's novel ''Blue Boy''.<ref>[https://variety.com/2018/film/news/murphy-brown-star-nik-dodani-writing-blue-boy-script-1202979041/ "Film News Roundup: 'Murphy Brown' Star Nik Dodani Writing 'Blue Boy' Script"]. ''Variety'', October 12, 2018.</ref> In March 2022, Dodani launched his own production banner, Cosmic Pomegranate, with creative partner Joey Long.<ref name="hollywoodreporter.com" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2022 |title=Nik Dodani, Fresh Off Broadway, Is Ready to Be the Main Character |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/new-hollywood-2022-nik-dodani |access-date=July 26, 2022 |website=Teen Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2023, Dodani served as a co-producer of ''Life of Pi'' on Broadway, a play written by Lolita Chakrabarti as an adaptation of the novel by Yann Martel. Dodani served as an architect of The Power of Pi Project, "a first-of-its-kind effort from a Broadway production to connect with the AAPI community in New York and beyond."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Arun |date=May 1, 2023 |title=Life of Pi initiative for South Asian and AAPI community - The American Bazaar |url=https://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2023/05/01/life-of-pi-initiative-for-south-asian-and-aapi-community-453474/,%20https://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2023/05/01/life-of-pi-initiative-for-south-asian-and-aapi-community-453474/ |access-date=February 11, 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Advocacy === During the 2016 presidential election, Dodani was a producer for MoveOn, where he organized a political comedy tour called ''Laughter Trumps Hate''.<ref>[http://theinterrobang.com/comedy-competition-will-focus-on-taking-down-trump/ "Comedy Competition Will Focus on Taking Down Trump"] ''The Interroband''. Retrieved October 1, 2016.</ref> He previously worked as a communications consultant at RALLY, an issue advocacy firm based in Hollywood, and as a graphic designer and student organizer on Elizabeth Warren's 2012 Senate campaign.<ref>[http://www.oxy.edu/magazine/fall-2012/newsmakers%E2%80%A8 "Newsmakers"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506104243/https://www.oxy.edu/magazine/fall-2012/newsmakers%E2%80%A8 |date=May 6, 2016}} Occidental College. Retrieved April 28, 2016.</ref>
In 2019, Dodani co-founded The Salon along with Bash Naran and Vinny Chhibber. The Salon is a forum for South Asian creatives in western creative arts. Dodani told ''The Hindu'' in 2021, "Our vision is to help the next generation of South Asian talent."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bhavani |first=Divya-Kala |date=September 24, 2021 |title=Nik Dodani, Sujata Day, Kiran Deol on the evolving space for Indian-origin creatives in western cinema |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kiran-deol-sujata-day-nik-dodani-avantika-vandanapu-interview-india-diasapora-stereotypes-film-hollywood/article36648700.ece |work=The Hindu}}</ref>
Dodani was active in organizing the South Asian community in support of the Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign and in support of Kamala Harris.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Janes |first=Chelsea |title=Americans react to Kamala Harris's historic victory: 'Look baby, she looks like us.' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/reactions-kamala-harris-vice-president/2020/11/07/8eaad904-213a-11eb-90dd-abd0f7086a91_story.html |access-date=December 1, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 23, 2020 |title=Kamala Harris as Auntie: How Art Helped Fashion an Iconic Role |url=https://www.kqed.org/news/11848231/kamala-harris-as-auntie-how-art-helped-fashion-an-iconic-role |access-date=December 1, 2020 |publisher=KQED |language=en-us}}</ref> He also played an active role in organizing other entertainers for the Black Lives Matter movement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |date=October 26, 2020 |title=Padma Lakshmi, Aasif Mandvi, Nik Dodani And More Celebrate Kamala Harris As First South Asian VP Candidate, Discuss Power Of Voting |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/padma-lakshmi-aasif-mandvi-nik-dodani-aparna-nancerla-dlo-janina-gavankar-maya-harris-meena-harris-ravi-patel-sakina-jaffrey-vinny-chhibber-kamala-harris-vote-south-asian-nowthis-1234603398/ |access-date=December 1, 2020 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |date=October 12, 2020 |title='Atypical' Cast, Biden Campaign And White People 4 Black Lives Team For Election Events |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/atypical-cast-joe-biden-kamala-harris-campaign-white-people-4-black-lives-election-events-1234595534/ |access-date=December 1, 2020 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Personal life == Dodani is of Indian Sindhi descent and openly gay.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 29, 2018|title='Murphy Brown' Star Nik Dodani Explains How Being Gay is a Lot Like Being Indian|url=https://hornet.com/stories/nik-dodani-colbert-gay/|access-date=November 3, 2019|website=Hornet|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=IANS|date=February 6, 2019|title=LGBTQ lives being reflected on screen: Nik Dodani|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/lgbtq-lives-being-reflected-on-screen-nik-dodani-119020600667_1.html|access-date=November 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sindhian : The Sindhian -Apr-Jun 2017, magazine in English by The Sindhian: Read on mobile & tablets |url=https://www.readwhere.com/ |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=www.readwhere.com |language=en}}</ref> He graduated from BASIS Scottsdale in 2011 and studied politics at Occidental College in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Homegrown |title=Gay, Indian And Disappointed: Check Out Nik Dodani's Brand Of Stand-Up Comedy |url=https://homegrown.co.in/article/45287/gay-indian-and-disappointed-nik-dodanis-brand-of-stand-up-comedy-is-revealing |access-date=July 3, 2022 |website=homegrown.co.in |date=June 8, 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Alumni Spotlight on Actor/comedian/activist Nik Dodani '11 – News – BASIS Alumni Association |url=http://www.basisalumni.org/news/14195 |access-date=July 3, 2022 |website=basisalumni.org |language=en-us |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203174719/https://www.basisalumni.org/news/14195 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Filmography == {| class="wikitable" |+Key | style="background:#FFFFCC;"| {{dagger|alt=Not yet released}} |Denotes works that have not yet been released |}
=== Film === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year || Title || Role || Notes |- | rowspan="2"|2016 | ''Other People'' | Ron | |- | ''The Good Neighbor'' | Sanjay | |- | rowspan="2"|2018 | ''Alex Strangelove'' | Blake | |- | ''Dark Was the Night'' | Seamus | |- | 2019 |''Escape Room'' | Danny Khan | |- | rowspan="2"|2021 | ''Mark, Mary & Some Other People'' | Kyle | |- | ''Dear Evan Hansen'' | Jared Kalwani | |- | 2022 | ''Strange World'' | Kardez | Voice role |- | rowspan=2|2024 | ''The A-Frame''<ref>[https://www.tribecafilm.com/films/a-frame-2024 The A-Frame Midnight World Premiere]</ref> | Rishi | |- | ''Twisters'' | Praveen | |- | 2025 | ''The Parenting'' | Rohan | |- | 2026 | ''She Keeps Me Young'' | | |- |}
=== Television === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year || Title || Role || Notes |- | 2008 || ''Living with Abandon'' || Paku || TV movie |- | rowspan="2"|2014 || ''The Comeback'' || Harry || 2 episodes |- | ''Selfie'' || Bookstore Employee || Episode: "I Woke Up Like This" |- | rowspan="2"|2015 || ''Kevin from Work'' || Paul Garfunkle || 2 episodes |- | ''The Player'' || Solomon Desai || Episode: "House Rules" |- | 2017 || ''Idiotsitter'' || || 1 episode |- | 2017–2021 || ''Atypical'' || Zahid Raja || 37 episodes |- | rowspan="2"|2018 || ''Murphy Brown'' || Pat Patel || 13 episodes |- | ''Angie Tribeca'' || CRISPIN_GLOVES0FF295 || 1 episode |- | 2019–2020 || ''Trinkets'' || Chase || 6 episodes |- | 2021 || ''The Owl House'' || Gavin (voice) || Episode: "Through the Looking Glass Ruins" |- | rowspan="2"|2022 || ''Big Nate'' || Randy Betancourt (voice) || Recurring cast |- || ''Mira, Royal Detective'' || Anish (voice) || Episode: "Mikku and Chikku's Hometown Mystery" |- | 2023 ||''Hailey's On It!''|| Thad (voice) || Recurring cast |- | 2026 ||''Ted''|| Nimeet Farooq || 1 episode |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name|6516135}} * [https://www.instagram.com/nikdodani/?hl=en Nik Dodani] on Instagram
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dodani, Nik}} Category:1993 births Category:21st-century American comedians Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people Category:21st-century American male actors Category:21st-century American male writers Category:21st-century American screenwriters Category:American gay actors Category:American gay writers Category:American gay comedians Category:American male comedians Category:American LGBTQ screenwriters Category:American male actors of Indian descent Category:American male film actors Category:American male screenwriters Category:American male television actors Category:American male voice actors Category:American male writers of Indian descent Category:American screenwriters of Indian descent Category:Comedians from Dallas Category:Gay screenwriters Category:Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign Category:LGBTQ people from Texas Category:Living people Category:Male actors from Dallas Category:Occidental College alumni Category:Screenwriters from Texas Category:Writers from Dallas Category:American people of Sindhi descent