# Nik Dodani > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Nik_Dodani > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Nik_Dodani.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nik_Dodani > Source revision: 1349558877 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{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](/source/Dallas%2C_Texas), U.S.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbs.com/shows/murphy-brown/cast/215906/|title=Nik Dodani – Murphy Brown Cast Member|publisher=CBS}} | occupation = {{flatlist | * Actor * comedian}} | known_for = {{flatlist | * ''[Atypical](/source/Atypical)'' * ''[Murphy Brown](/source/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](/source/Netflix) comedy-drama series ''[Atypical](/source/Atypical)'', and Pat Patel in the revival of the popular [CBS](/source/CBS) sitcom ''[Murphy Brown](/source/Murphy_Brown)''.{{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}}{{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}} == 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''](/source/Holes_(novel)) based on the novel by [Louis Sachar](/source/Louis_Sachar). Dodani made his television debut in season 2 of HBO's ''[The Comeback](/source/The_Comeback_(TV_series))'' starring [Lisa Kudrow](/source/Lisa_Kudrow). On television, Dodani has also appeared in ABC's ''[Big Sky](/source/Big_Sky_(American_TV_series))'',{{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}} Netflix's ''[Trinkets](/source/Trinkets_(TV_series))'', TBS's ''[Angie Tribeca](/source/Angie_Tribeca)'', Comedy Central's ''[Idiotsitter](/source/Idiotsitter)'',[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. Freeform's ''[Kevin from Work](/source/Kevin_from_Work)'', and NBC's ''The Player,'' among others.[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. In film, Dodani has appeared in Netflix's ''[Alex Strangelove](/source/Alex_Strangelove)'',[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. [Joshua Leonard](/source/Joshua_Leonard)'s independent film ''[Dark Was the Night](/source/Dark_Was_the_Night_(2018_film))'' opposite Marisa Tomei and Charlie Plummer,[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. the [Sony Pictures](/source/Sony_Pictures) thriller ''[Escape Room](/source/Escape_Room_(2019_film)),''{{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}} [Hannah Marks](/source/Hannah_Marks)' feature film ''[Mark, Mary & Some Other People](/source/Mark%2C_Mary_%26_Some_Other_People),''{{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}} and [Stephen Chbosky](/source/Stephen_Chbosky)'s film adaptation of Broadway musical ''[Dear Evan Hansen](/source/Dear_Evan_Hansen_(film))'' as Jared, who was re-conceived as "Jared Kalwani" to celebrate Dodani's casting.{{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}}{{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}} In July 2024, he appeared in [Lee Isaac Chung](/source/Lee_Isaac_Chung)'s ''[Twisters](/source/Twisters_(film))'', a follow up to the 1996 film ''[Twister](/source/Twister_(1996_film))''.{{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}} In March 2022, it was announced he would lead the New Line Cinema comedy ''[The Parenting](/source/The_Parenting)'', opposite [Brandon Flynn](/source/Brandon_Flynn), [Lisa Kudrow](/source/Lisa_Kudrow) and [Brian Cox](/source/Brian_Cox_(actor)). The film will be released on [Max](/source/Max_(streaming_service)) on March 13, 2025.{{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}}{{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}} Dodani has voiced characters on numerous animated programs, including Nickelodeon's ''[Big Nate](/source/Big_Nate_(TV_series))'', Disney's ''[The Owl House](/source/The_Owl_House)'' and ''[Hailey's On It!](/source/Hailey's_On_It!)'', and Disney Junior's ''[Mira, Royal Detective](/source/Mira%2C_Royal_Detective)''.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} Dodani also voiced a character in the 2022 Disney animated film ''[Strange World](/source/Strange_World_(film))''.{{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}} He made his Broadway debut as Ogie in ''[Waitress](/source/Waitress_(musical))'' from October 19 to November 27, 2021.{{Cite web |date=October 19, 2021 |title=Nik Dodani |url=https://www.playbill.com/person/nik-dodani |access-date=December 9, 2021 |website=Playbill}} === 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](/source/The_Late_Show_with_Stephen_Colbert)'' on September 28, 2018.{{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}} === Writing and producing === In October 2018, it was announced that Dodani would write the screenplay for the film adaptation of [Rakesh Satyal](/source/Rakesh_Satyal)'s novel ''Blue Boy''.[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](/source/Variety_(magazine))'', October 12, 2018. In March 2022, Dodani launched his own production banner, Cosmic Pomegranate, with creative partner Joey Long.{{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}} In 2023, Dodani served as a co-producer of ''[Life of Pi](/source/Life_of_Pi_(play))'' on Broadway, a play written by [Lolita Chakrabarti](/source/Lolita_Chakrabarti) as an adaptation of the novel by [Yann Martel](/source/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."{{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}} === Advocacy === During the 2016 presidential election, Dodani was a producer for [MoveOn](/source/MoveOn), where he organized a political comedy tour called ''Laughter Trumps Hate''.[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. 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](/source/Elizabeth_Warren)'s 2012 Senate campaign.[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. 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."{{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}} Dodani was active in organizing the South Asian community in support of the [Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign](/source/Joe_Biden_2020_presidential_campaign) and in support of [Kamala Harris](/source/Kamala_Harris).{{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}}{{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}} He also played an active role in organizing other entertainers for the [Black Lives Matter](/source/Black_Lives_Matter) movement.{{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}}{{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}} == Personal life == Dodani is of Indian [Sindhi](/source/Sindhis) descent and openly gay.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} He graduated from [BASIS Scottsdale](/source/BASIS_Scottsdale) in 2011 and studied politics at [Occidental College](/source/Occidental_College) in Los Angeles.{{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}}{{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}} == 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](/source/Other_People_(film))'' | Ron | |- | ''[The Good Neighbor](/source/The_Good_Neighbor_(2016_film))'' | Sanjay | |- | rowspan="2"|2018 | ''[Alex Strangelove](/source/Alex_Strangelove)'' | Blake | |- | ''[Dark Was the Night](/source/Dark_Was_the_Night_(2018_film))'' | Seamus | |- | 2019 |''[Escape Room](/source/Escape_Room_(2019_film))'' | Danny Khan | |- | rowspan="2"|2021 | ''[Mark, Mary & Some Other People](/source/Mark%2C_Mary_%26_Some_Other_People)'' | Kyle | |- | ''[Dear Evan Hansen](/source/Dear_Evan_Hansen_(film))'' | Jared Kalwani | |- | 2022 | ''[Strange World](/source/Strange_World_(film))'' | Kardez | Voice role |- | rowspan=2|2024 | ''The A-Frame''[https://www.tribecafilm.com/films/a-frame-2024 The A-Frame Midnight World Premiere] | Rishi | |- | ''[Twisters](/source/Twisters_(film))'' | Praveen | |- | 2025 | ''[The Parenting](/source/The_Parenting)'' | Rohan | |- | 2026 | ''[She Keeps Me Young](/source/She_Keeps_Me_Young)'' | | |- |} === Television === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year || Title || Role || Notes |- | 2008 || ''Living with Abandon'' || Paku || TV movie |- | rowspan="2"|2014 || ''[The Comeback](/source/The_Comeback_(TV_series))'' || Harry || 2 episodes |- | ''[Selfie](/source/Selfie_(TV_series))'' || Bookstore Employee || Episode: "I Woke Up Like This" |- | rowspan="2"|2015 || ''[Kevin from Work](/source/Kevin_from_Work)'' || Paul Garfunkle || 2 episodes |- | ''[The Player](/source/The_Player_(2015_TV_series))'' || Solomon Desai || Episode: "House Rules" |- | 2017 || ''[Idiotsitter](/source/Idiotsitter)'' || || 1 episode |- | 2017–2021 || ''[Atypical](/source/Atypical)'' || Zahid Raja || 37 episodes |- | rowspan="2"|2018 || ''[Murphy Brown](/source/Murphy_Brown)'' || Pat Patel || 13 episodes |- | ''[Angie Tribeca](/source/Angie_Tribeca)'' || CRISPIN_GLOVES0FF295 || 1 episode |- | 2019–2020 || ''[Trinkets](/source/Trinkets_(TV_series))'' || Chase || 6 episodes |- | 2021 || ''[The Owl House](/source/The_Owl_House)'' || Gavin (voice) || Episode: "Through the Looking Glass Ruins" |- | rowspan="2"|2022 || ''[Big Nate](/source/Big_Nate_(TV_series))'' || Randy Betancourt (voice) || Recurring cast |- || ''[Mira, Royal Detective](/source/Mira%2C_Royal_Detective)'' || Anish (voice) || Episode: "Mikku and Chikku's Hometown Mystery" |- | 2023 ||''[Hailey's On It!](/source/Hailey's_On_It!)''|| Thad (voice) || Recurring cast |- | 2026 ||''[Ted](/source/Ted_(TV_series))''|| 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 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nik Dodani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nik_Dodani) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nik_Dodani?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.