Iranian-American actress Nasim Pedrad first rose to fame on the comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live. Since then, she has taken her comedic talents to many projects, including the short-lived sitcom Mulaney, the long-lived sitcom New Girl, and many more.
In 2021, Pedrad debuted her writing, producing, and directing talents with her new show Chad. The 39-year-old actress also stars in the show as the eponymous Chad, a 14-year-old boy. The unlikely casting has garnered widespread praise for both its comedy, and its deft handling of issues like identity.
Nasim Pedrad gets her start on SNL
Prior to her start on SNL, Pedrad had a handful of minor roles in shows like Gilmore Girls and ER. But it would be her more personal one-woman comedy show “Me, Myself, & Iran” that would launch her fame. After seeing the show, SNL star Tina Fey recommended Pedrad for the show, launching a 5-season career at the comedy giant.
Pedrad first joined SNL in 2009, appearing in 109 episodes in her time there. She became a fast fan favorite, playing characters ranging from awkward teen Bedelia, to Kim Kardashian.
In 2014, Pedrad left SNL to star in John Mulaney’s ill-fated Fox sitcom, Mulaney. Though the show only lasted one season, it launched Pedrad into a number of new roles. Staying in her wheelhouse, she went on to take prominent roles in popular sitcoms like Scream Queens and New Girl.
An unconventional start to American life
Pedrad was born in Tehran, Iran, but grew up in Orange County, CA.
“We left Iran right after I was born, and my dad was able to immigrate to the United States immediately,” Pedrad explained on Conan. “But my mom and I had to go to Germany. So we lived there for a couple of years, and I met my dad in the airport when I was three.”
Despite the unconventional start to her life, Pedrad considers her upbringing to be fairly “typical” for Orange County. She balanced a variety of extra-curriculars, including karate and Farsi classes. “I actually am, thanks to my father, a second degree black-belt in Tai Kwon Do,” she told Jimmy Kimmel. “Though I should immediately add, I retired in the 5th grade.”
Though Pedrad always loved performing, she didn’t solidify her comedy career immediately. She first studied theater at UCLA. There, she quickly realized that her passion lay in comedy, and began joining comedy troupes and writing sketches.
Nasim Pedrad in Chad
In 2021, Pedrad debuted as Ferydoon “Chad” Amani, a teenage boy of Persian heritage growing up in the US. Though a 39-year-old woman may seem an odd choice for this casting, Pedrad pulls it off. Her portrayal of Chad focuses on issues she understands personally, including trying to fit in as an Iranian-American.
The first season of Chad aired in 2021, and has already been picked up for a second season by TBS. In addition to Pedrad, it stars Jake Ryan, Saba Homayoon, Paul Chahidi, Ella Mika, and Alexa Loo.
