Known for his breakout hit The Big Sick, actor Kumail Nanjiani is a comedian by trade, but he's also a rising star in Hollywood. He's slated to appear in the Marvel film The Eternals, which is set for a November release, but he also has a wide array of other film and television appearances that you can check out right now.
With the help of the Tomatometer, a popular film ranking system created by review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, this list gathers some of his greatest-ever roles.
The Kings of Summer (2013) - 75%
Nanjiani has a cameo as a delivery boy in The Kings of Summer, a 2013 coming-of-age adventure-comedy film that follows three boys who, tired of their respective parental units, decide to build a house in the wilderness. The spend the summer secluded, doing just about anything they wish as they discover they're blossoming freedom and what it means to become independent.
The film was praised for its over-the-top performances, refreshing characters, heart, and humor, and holds a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 118 reviews.
Goosebumps (2015) - 78%
2015's Goosebumps follows Zach Cooper, a teenaged boy who accidentally releases the monsters from the popular Goosebumps book series into the real world. He teams up with his neighbor Hannah and her father, a fictionalized version of the books' author R.L. Stine (played by Jack Black), to send the monsters back to the fictional realm.
The film received positive reviews from critics for its humor, characters, and visuals, although there was some criticism directed toward the film's lack of originality and poor pacing. It currently holds a 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 161 reviews.
Bless The Harts (2019-) - 82%
Directly inspired by the classic animated sitcom King of the Hill, the Lord-and-Miller-produced series Bless the Harts follows the irreverent misadventures of a working-class family in the deep South. Nanjiani appears in a recurring role as multiple characters' vision of Jesus Christ.
Critics praised the series' acting, scripting, directing, and humor, and season one currently holds an 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 11 reviews.
Hello, My Name Is Doris (2016) - 85%
The 2015 comedy-drama Hello, My Name Is Doris follows Doris, a 60-something woman who finds herself falling for her much younger co-worker John, trying to get his attention in a variety of ways ranging from cute to questionable. Nanjiani, as Doris' wisecracking gay co-worker, mixes things up with his own unique brand of comedy.
Reviews were primarily positive; many praised the film's humor and the performance of Oscar-winning actress Sally Field in the title role. The film currently holds an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 123 reviews.
Community (2009-2015) - 88%
Community is an undeniably unique comedy television series focusing on the escapades of a group of community college attendees. Its thought-provoking meta gags and affinity for all things pop culture have been points in its favor since day one, and it's amassed a pleasantly large fanbase. Nanjiani, a close friend of series creator Dan Harmon, appears in two episodes as Deputy Custodian Lapari.
As stated before, the series has found success with both critics and audiences; many consider it one of television's most creative sitcoms, and it holds a solid 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Bob's Burgers (2011-) - 91%
The animated sitcom Bob's Burgers follows Bob Belcher, a talented restaurateur with a small but thriving burger t and a family that will back him up every step of the way. Nanjiani appears as Skip Marooch, a world-renowned chef who competes against Bob in a best burger contest; the two later become friends.
Bob's Burgers has received praise from critics for its characters, humor, and animation, and holds an impressive 91% on Rotten Tomatoes; an animated film based on the series is in the works, slated for a 2020 release.
Veep (2012-2019) - 93%
HBO's long-running political satire series Veep follows Selina Meyer, the Vice President of the United States, as she navigates the complexities of American politics while trying to make a name for herself. Nanjiani makes a guest appearance in the 2013 episode "Mid" as a professional statistician who Meyer takes an immediate dislike to.
The series was a constant front-runner at the Emmys, with seven consecutive nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series; it received positive reviews from critics for its story, characters, and performances, and has a 93% approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes.
Silicon Valley (2014-2019) - 94%
The HBO comedy series Silicon Valley follows five young men (including Nanjiani's character Dinesh Chugtai, a brilliant app developer) who team up to form a business after one of them creates a revolutionary file compression service almost by accident. Backed by an eccentric billionaire, they try to turn their modest startup into a top-tier tech titan.
The series received positive reviews from critics for its tone, characters, and satirical look at the tech industry; it currently holds a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Portlandia (2011-2018) - 94%
IFC's sketch comedy series Portlandia was created by and stars former SNL member Fred Armisen and rock guitarist Carrie Brownstein. It is filmed on location in the town of Portland, Oregon, and frequently pokes lighthearted fun at the city's culture. Nanjiani appears in multiple sketches and even in his own spin-off series, Nanjiani Tours Portlandia.
The series has received praise from critics for its humor and structure; it's been nominated for multiple awards, including more than two dozen Emmys, and currently holds a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Big Sick (2017) - 98%
Nanjiani's magnum opus is without a doubt the 2017 indie romantic relationship, including their family's reactions to the interethnic pairing and Emily's struggles with Adult-onset Still's disease.
The film received near-universal acclaim, with praise directed at its acting, screenplay, directing, and story. It appeared on multiple best-film lists for 2017 and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
