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Aparna Nancherla

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Aparna Nancherla
Nancherla in 2019
Born1982 or 1983 (age 41–42)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
MediumStand-up, television
EducationTJHSST
Alma materAmherst College
Years active2006–present
GenresObservational comedy, deadpan
WebsiteOfficial website

Aparna Nancherla (born 1982 or 1983)[1] is an American stand-up comedian and actress. She has had recurring roles on television series including BoJack Horseman and Corporate and has written for Late Night with Seth Meyers[2] and Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. Nancherla released her debut comedy album Just Putting It Out There through Tig Notaro's Bentzen Ball Records on July 8, 2016.[3][4]

Early life

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Aparna Nancherla was born in Washington, D.C., United States into an Indian Telugu Hindu family; her parents immigrated to the United States from Hyderabad, India in the 1970s.[5] She has an older sibling, Bhavana.[6]

She grew up outside Washington, attending Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County, Virginia.[6] Nancherla attended Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts and studied psychology.[5][7] She graduated in 2005.[1]

Career

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After college she returned to Washington, D.C., where she began her standup career. Nancherla moved to Los Angeles, then to New York City to write for Totally Biased until the show's cancellation in 2013.[8] Nancherla was subsequently a staff writer for Late Night with Seth Meyers in 2015.[9]

Nancherla's credits also include several web series, including Your Main Thing with John Early, and co-created and starred in Womanhood, a satirical advice series with comedian Jo Firestone.[10][4]

In 2019 she was featured in Laughing Matters, a 30-minute YouTube documentary created by SoulPancake in collaboration with Funny or Die wherein a variety of comedians discuss mental health.[11]

Appearances

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Live-action

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Nancherla has appeared on Conan[12][5] and Comedy Central's The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail. Variety named her to its list of "Top 10 Comics to Watch for 2016"[13] and The New York Times said that Nancherla "has become a comic in demand for her quirky, relatable and punchy humor."[14] She is also the co-host of Blue Woman Group, which the Daily Beast calls "a hilarious podcast about depression."[15]

In 2016, Comedy Central announced that Nancherla would record a half-hour special for the network.[16]

In 2017, she played a ramen blogger in season two of Master of None,[17] had a recurring role in the first two seasons of the HBO series Crashing,[18] which aired from 2017 to 2018, and played Grace in the Comedy Central series Corporate,[19] which aired from 2017 to 2020.

In March 2018 she appeared on the Netflix series The Standups.[20][18] She also made her feature debut in the 2018 film A Simple Favor.[18]

In 2020, she appeared on the Netflix series Space Force as Pella Bhat.[21]

On January 17, 2024, Nancherla was one of the panelist-contestants on the premiere episode of After Midnight with Taylor Tomlinson.

Voice acting

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In 2017, she voiced Kishy in the short-lived animated series Ginger Snaps.[22]

In seasons four, five and six of BoJack Horseman, from 2017 to 2020, Nancherla had a recurring voice role as BoJack's alleged daughter, but actual half-sister, Hollyhock Manheim-Mannheim-Guerrero-Robinson-Zilberschlag-Hsung-Fonzerelli-McQuack.[23][24] She also voiced Mrs. Singh in Fancy Nancy,[25] from 2018 to 2022.

In the season 5 Steven Universe episode "Legs from Here to Homeworld", which aired in December 2018, she voiced Nephrite,[26] the uncorrupted form of the Centipeetle Mother, and Jades in the Season 5 episode "Together Alone",[27] which also aired in December 2018. In the Bob's Burgers season 9 episode "UFO No You Didn't", which aired in December 2018, she voiced Susmita,[28] Tina's science partner. She returned to voice Susmita in the "Fast Time Capsules at Wagstaff School" episode.

From 2020 to 2022, she voiced the recurring character Meena in the Disney Junior series Mira, Royal Detective.[29][30][31]

Since January 2021, she has voiced Moon Tobin in the Fox animated series The Great North.[32][33][34] In October 2021, she voiced the guest character Sheela in The Ghost and Molly McGee.[35][36]

In 2022, Nancherla voiced Chelsea Hill in the adult animated series Fairview,[37][38] She also provided guest voices for the series Central Park,[39] and supporting characters such as Oddjobs and Opie in Summer Camp Island.[40]

In March 2023, she voiced a librarian named Miss Moufflé in Kiff.[citation needed] She also voiced Snail in an animated adaptation of Frog and Toad.[41]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2018 A Simple Favor Sona
2020 Golden Arm Coco Cherie
2021 7 Days Swathi Voice
2022 The Drop Mia
2023 Molli and Max in the Future Rachel
Baby Shark's Big Movie Gillie Voice
2024 Orion and the Dark Quiet Voice
Unfrosted Purvis Pendleton
TBA Untitled A Simple Favor sequel Sona Post-production

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2012–2013 Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell Herself, various 9 episodes; also writer
2014 The Chris Gethard Show Scrompin Nompin Nompin Episode: "The Crowd Sourced Character Contest 3"
2015 The Jim Gaffigan Show Herself Episode: "Go Shorty, It's Your Birthday"
2016 Netflix Presents: The Characters Aparna Episode: "Natasha Rothwell"
Inside Amy Schumer Aparna, Barista 2 episodes
Nightcap Herself Episode: "IBS-ISIS"
2017 Love Lauren Episode: "Friends Night Out"
Master of None Stephanie Episode: "First Date"
Ginger Snaps Kishy Voice, 10 episodes
HarmonQuest Beauflecks DeVrye Episode: "Bonebreak Village"
2017–2019 Crashing Anaya 6 episodes
2017–2020 BoJack Horseman Hollyhock Voice, 13 episodes
2018 2 Dope Queens Episode: "Hair"
High Maintenance Daria Episode: "#goalz"
Animals. Dawn Voice, episode: "At a Loss for Words When We Needed Them Most or...
The Rise and Fall of GrabBagVille"
Steven Universe Jades, Nephrite Voice, 2 episodes
2018–2023 Bob's Burgers Susmita Voice, 4 episodes
2018–2020 Corporate Grace Ramaswamy 22 episodes
The Boss Baby: Back In Business Frankie Voice, 45 episodes
2018–2021 Fancy Nancy Mrs. Priya Singh Voice, 3 episodes
2019 You're Not a Monster Nia Emissiona Voice, 10 episodes
Helpsters Astronaut Amrita Episode: "Dancer Dave/Astronaut Amrita"
2020 Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet Michelle 5 episodes; also writer and co-producer
Earth to Ned Aparna Episode: "Late Night Ned"
Love Life Naomi Episode: "Magnus Lund"
2020–2022 Mira, Royal Detective Meena / various Voice, 23 episodes
Space Force Pella Bhat 4 episodes
2020–2023 Summer Camp Island Oddjobs, Opie Voice, 6 episodes
2021 Modern Love Vanessa Episode: "The Night Girl Finds a Day Boy"
Tig n' Seek Amritha Voice, episode: "Nuritza Sees It All"
2021–present The Great North Moon Tobin Voice, main role
2021–2024 The Ghost and Molly McGee Sheela Voice, recurring role
2022 Search Party Dr. Benny Balthazar 5 episodes
Fairview Chelsea Hill Voice, recurring role
The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib Frankie Voice, episode: "Techy Tykes"
Tuca & Bertie Voice, episode: "Somebirdy's Getting Married"
Central Park Dr. Alyna Rao Voice, 2 episodes
Ziwe Tara / Melissa 2 episodes
2022–2023 Lopez vs Lopez Dr. Pocha Recurring Cast
2023 Single Drunk Female Kenzie Episode: "Normie"
Kiff Ms. Moufflé / various Voice, 2 episodes
What We Do in the Shadows Aparna Episode: "The Campaign"
Frog and Toad Snail Voice, 6 episodes
2024 Abbott Elementary Caroline Episode: "Smoking"
2024 After Midnight Herself Episodes: January 17, 2024; June 6, 2024

Works and books

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  • Nancherla, Aparna (November 28, 2016). "Comedian Aparna Nancherla on Having Compassion in the Face of Bigotry". Broadly.
  • Nancherla, Aparna (published September 19, 2023). “Unreliable Narrator: Me, Myself, and Impostor Syndrome”. Viking.

Discography

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References

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  1. ^ a b Slovic, Beth (April 5, 2024). "The Laugh Track". Amherst College. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  2. ^ Eldredge, Kristy (March 31, 2016). "Depression and Comedy with Aparna Nancherla". Splitsider. Archived from the original on June 8, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  3. ^ Yalamanchili, Pavani (July 9, 2016). "Aparna Nancherla's Just Putting It Out There Brings Mental Health to the Stage". The Aerogram. Archived from the original on July 4, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Allen, Emma (September 5, 2016). "A Guide to Womanhood". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Sterling, Anna (September 18, 2014). "Off Color: An Unlikely Comedian Embraces Her Outsider Role". NBC News. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  6. ^ a b McCarthy, Ellen (June 13, 2018). "Aparna Nancherla may have been a shy child, but she's a comedy star now". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  7. ^ "Video and podcast: An Evening With Aparna Nancherla". MIT Comparative Media Studies/Writing. MIT. April 18, 2017. Archived from the original on August 23, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  8. ^ Sims, David (June 6, 2016). "The Slow, Encouraging Signs of Progress for Women in Comedy". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  9. ^ "I am stand-up comic Aparna Nancherla, from Late Night with Seth Meyers and my debut album Just Putting It Out There!". r/IAmA. Reddit. July 13, 2016. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  10. ^ "Check Out the First Episode of Aparna Nancherla and Jo Firestone's Web Series 'Womanhood'". Splitsider. May 2, 2016. Archived from the original on March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  11. ^ Singer, Jeremy (October 14, 2019). "Sarah Silverman Takes Down The 'Tortured Artist' Myth: 'Klonopin Saved My Life'". Forward. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023. In the 30-minute documentary "Laughing Matters"...11 comedians speak about their mental health journeys...[including] Aparna Nancherla
  12. ^ "Aparna Nancherla: Any Pizza Can Be A Personal One If You Cry When You Eat It". TeamCoco. October 15, 2013. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  13. ^ Variety Staff (June 6, 2016). "Variety Announces 10 Comics to Watch for 2016". Variety. Archived from the original on December 18, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  14. ^ Holcomb-Holland, Lori (July 18, 2016). "'That's a Thing I Did': Aparna Nancherla on Her Comedy Album". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  15. ^ Haglage, Abby (February 10, 2016). "Blue Woman Group Is a Hilarious Podcast About Depression". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  16. ^ Wright, Megh (June 2, 2016). "This Week in Comedy Podcasts: Aparna Nancherla on 'You Made It Weird'". Splitsider. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  17. ^ Frank, Allegra (May 15, 2017). "Master of None's best new character is a total Overwatch nerd". Polygon. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  18. ^ a b c "Aparna Nancherla". TED.com. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  19. ^ Cornish, Audie (August 30, 2019). "Aparna Nancherla: 'I'm Still Shy,' Even As A Stand-Up Star". All Things Considered. NPR. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  20. ^ Husband, Andrew (March 20, 2018). "The Stars of Netflix's 'The Standups' Know Who Their Audience Is". Uproxx. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  21. ^ Mutuc, Peter (February 19, 2022). "Space Force Season 2 Ending Explained: It's Basically Don't Look Up 2". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  22. ^ "Viola Davis' and Julius Tennon's Juvee Productions Celebrates Juneteenth with Original Short-Form Comedy "American Koko" Now Live on ABC.com and the ABC App" (Press release). The Futon Critic. ABC. June 19, 2017. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  23. ^ Miller, Liz Shannon (September 10, 2017). "'BoJack Horseman' Season 4 Guest Stars: A Visual Guide to Who Played Who in Hollywood". IndieWire. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  24. ^ Nancherla, Aparna (March 26, 2021). "Aparna Nancherla's 5 Favorite Tiny Desk Concerts". Tiny Desk Concerts. NPR. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  25. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (September 18, 2019). "Disney Junior Orders 3rd Season of Emmy Nominated 'Fancy Nancy'". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  26. ^ "Nephrite Voice". Behind the Voice Actors. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  27. ^ "Jades Voice". Behind the Voice Actors. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  28. ^ "Susmita Voice". Behind the Voice Actors. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  29. ^ Nancherla, Aparna [@aparnapkin] (February 3, 2020). "It's true, the resemblance is clear except she has teeth and i have a tightlipped smile" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (April 6, 2022). "'Mira, Royal Detective' Takes a Bow with Four Bollywood-Style Specials". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  31. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (December 12, 2019). "Disney Junior Orders 'Mira, Royal Detective' S2 Ahead of Spring Premiere". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  32. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (June 22, 2020). "FOX Re-Ups 'The Great North' Ahead of Series Premiere". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  33. ^ Zahed, Ramin (August 31, 2022). "Lizzie & Wendy Molyneux Sneak Peek the Lone Moose Magic of 'The Great North' S3". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  34. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (July 6, 2022). "Comic-Con: Disney Brands Showcase New Toons & Fan Favorites". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  35. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (August 31, 2021). "Disney Scares Up Second Season of 'The Ghost and Molly McGee' Ahead of October Premiere". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  36. ^ "Sheela Voice". Behind the Voice Actors. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  37. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (March 2, 2022). "Exclusive Clip: 'Fairview' Overclocks the Cops in Tonight's Episode". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  38. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (January 27, 2022). "Trailer: Comedy Central's 'Fairview' Is a Small Town with Huge Issues". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  39. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (January 21, 2022). "First Look: 'Central Park' Season 2 Encores March 4 on Apple TV+". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  40. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (November 17, 2020). "HBO Max Conjures Magical Third Season of 'Summer Camp Island' Dec. 10". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  41. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (January 25, 2023). "Apple TV+ Expands Kids Slate with 'Eva the Owlet,' 'Frog and Toad,' 'Jane' & New Content from Family Faves". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
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