Aasif Mandvi
Born 1966 · Age 60
British-American actor, comedian, writer and activist best known as a longtime correspondent on The Daily Show (2006–2017), Broadway and off‑Broadway performer, and film/TV character actor.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Bombay (Mumbai), India
Aasif Hakim Mandviwala was born in Bombay (now Mumbai) into a Gujarati Muslim Dawoodi Bohra family.
Family moved to Bradford, West Yorkshire, England
Mandvi's family settled in Bradford after his father moved there to work in textiles research at Bradford University; later his father ran a corner shop and his mother worked as a nurse.
Attended Woodhouse Grove School (Bradford)
Mandvi attended the independent Woodhouse Grove School (dates not precisely stated; he identifies as a 'working-class kid from Bradford'). Year is approximate (mid-childhood attendance).
Emigrated to the United States (family move)
In the early 1980s, frustrated with Thatcher-era Britain, Mandvi's father moved the family to Tampa, Florida. Mandvi was 16.
Graduated Chamberlain High School (Tampa, FL)
Mandvi graduated from Chamberlain High School in Hillsborough County, class of 1984 (yearbook reference).
Graduated University of South Florida (BA in Theatre)
Mandvi completed a degree in theatre at the University of South Florida (exact graduation year not explicitly stated; inferred from timeline).
Began professional acting career; television debut on Miami Vice
Mandvi's first television credit listed is a doorman in the Miami Vice episode 'Line of Fire' (1988), marking the start of his professional on-screen career.
Performer at Disney-MGM Studios and Universal Studios Florida
After university, Mandvi worked as a performer at theme-park venues in Florida, gaining professional experience and early income.
Stage credit: Suburbia; expanding off‑Broadway career
Mandvi appears in stage productions (early 1990s productions credit him in multiple off‑Broadway shows), building his theater résumé.
Film: Die Hard with a Vengeance (minor role)
One of Mandvi's earlier film appearances in a high-profile Hollywood feature (credited as 'Arab Cabbie').
Premiered one‑man show 'Sakina's Restaurant' (Off‑Broadway)
Mandvi wrote and performed the autobiographical one‑man play that brought him critical attention and led to subsequent awards.
Received Obie Award Special Citation for 'Sakina's Restaurant'
Mandvi won an Obie (Off‑Broadway) special citation acknowledging his work on the one‑man show.
Film: Analyze This (supporting role as Dr. Shulman)
Mandvi appears in the comedy starring Robert De Niro — another high-profile film credit expanding his screen presence.
Broadway debut in Oklahoma! (Ali Hakim)
Mandvi appeared on Broadway in the 2002 Trevor Nunn–directed revival of Oklahoma!, marking a major stage milestone.
Film: Spider‑Man 2 (Mr. Aziz)
Mandvi had a recognizable supporting role (owner of 'Joe's Pizza') in this major studio blockbuster, raising his profile.
First appearance on The Daily Show (Aug 9, 2006)
Mandvi made his first contributing appearance on Comedy Central's The Daily Show, later becoming a frequent correspondent.
Promoted to regular correspondent on The Daily Show
Following immediate hiring, Mandvi became a regular correspondent on The Daily Show (official press release March 12, 2007).
Film: Ghost Town (dentist role) and other film work
Mandvi continued appearing in studio and indie films, increasing his screen credits and earnings.
Co‑wrote and premiered Today's Special (film); festival screenings
Mandvi co-wrote Today's Special (premiered at the London Film Festival Oct 2009 and screened at NY MIAAC Nov 11, 2009).
Film: The Last Airbender (Commander Zhao role)
Mandvi played a major supporting role in M. Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender (released 2010).
Hosted Stand Up for Religious Freedom benefit (2010)
Mandvi hosted the 'Stand Up for Religious Freedom' comedy event to raise funds for Relief 4 Pakistan (disaster‑relief charity) in 2010.
Film: Margin Call (Ramesh Shah) and other credits
Mandvi appeared in critically noticed films including Margin Call (2011), continuing a steady film career.
Starred in Off‑Broadway production 'Disgraced' (lead role Amir)
Mandvi played the lead role in Ayad Akhtar's Disgraced at Lincoln Center's Claire Tow Theater, a major stage role addressing identity/Islam in America.
Disgraced won Pulitzer Prize for Drama; Mandvi nominated for Lucille Lortel Award
The play Disgraced won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; Mandvi received a Lucille Lortel nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor.
Daily Show interview prompts resignation of N.C. GOP official Don Yelton
A segment in Oct 2013 where Mandvi interviewed Don Yelton resulted in public controversy and Yelton's resignation after airing.
Published memoir 'No Land's Man'
Mandvi published 'No Land's Man' (Chronicle Books, 2014); the book was later adapted into a film project.
Co‑created and starred in web series 'Halal in the Family' (Funny or Die)
Mandvi was lead actor, co-writer and co-producer of 'Halal in the Family,' a satire addressing Islamophobia, which premiered in 2015.
Co‑wrote/produced film/TV projects; expanded behind‑the‑camera credits
By mid‑2010s Mandvi accumulated writing and producing credits (Today's Special, Halal in the Family, writing on The Brink), diversifying income sources.
Series regular role and production work on HBO's 'The Brink'
Mandvi portrayed Rafiq Massoud on The Brink (HBO) beginning June 2015; he also had producer/writer credits on the show.
Correspondent on climate documentary 'Years of Living Dangerously'
Mandvi joined the celebrity correspondent roster on the climate-change documentary series 'Years of Living Dangerously.'
Diagnosed with chronic tinnitus (public disclosure)
Mandvi has publicly disclosed a diagnosis of chronic tinnitus, a personal health milestone referenced in interviews/features.
Left The Daily Show after a decade-plus (2006–2017)
Mandvi's time as a Daily Show correspondent spanned 2006 to 2017, encompassing 188 episodes credited across those years.
Appeared in Netflix's 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' (Uncle Monty)
Mandvi was cast in three episodes of the Netflix series as Montgomery 'Uncle Monty' Montgomery.
Married Shaifali Puri
Mandvi married author/humanitarian Shaifali Puri at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta after a three‑year relationship.
Off‑Broadway revival of 'Sakina's Restaurant'
Mandvi revived his acclaimed one‑man show 'Sakina's Restaurant' off‑Broadway in 2018, returning to the piece that helped launch his career.
Cast as Ben Shakir on CBS series 'Evil'
Mandvi was cast in the lead/main cast role of Ben Shakir on the Robert and Michelle King supernatural drama 'Evil' (premiered 2019 on CBS).
Public advocacy & charity involvement (ongoing)
Mandvi actively supports Relief 4 Pakistan, Endometriosis Foundation of America, Partners In Health and other humanitarian causes; notable public fundraising/advocacy appearances across years.
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Macaulay Honors College; delivered commencement
Mandvi delivered the commencement address and received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Macaulay Honors College in June 2019.
Birth of son
Mandvi and his wife Shaifali Puri welcomed their first child, a son, in 2020.
Voice work: Marvel's Wastelanders (Star‑Lord, audio), other voice roles
Mandvi expanded voice acting credits (audio dramas and animation), including Marvel's Wastelanders: Star‑Lord (2021) and other TV voice roles.
Voiced Ichiro in Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
Mandvi continued to accumulate family‑film voice credits with roles in 2022 releases.
Voice role in The Magician's Elephant (2023)
Mandvi provided voice work for the 2023 animated film The Magician's Elephant.
Cast in Waiting for Godot revival at Geffen Playhouse
Mandvi played in a major revival of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot (Geffen Playhouse, previews/performances in late 2024).
Recognized by Asia Society/Asia Game Changers program (profiled/awardee)
Mandvi has been profiled by the Asia Society for his work using comedy to challenge perceptions and for philanthropic activities; (profile/awardee listing on AsiaSociety.org).
United Solo Closing Gala appearance (Nov 25, 2025)
Mandvi attended and was photographed at the United Solo Closing Gala, part of the festival's events noted in BroadwayWorld coverage.
Key Achievement Ages
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