Poorna Jagannathan is an American actress of Indian descent who has recently gained prominence due to her role in Never Have I Ever.
Never Have I Ever is a Netflix teen comedy series by Mindy Kaling where Jagannathan plays the role of Dr. Nalini Vishwakumar, the mother of the lead character, Devi, and a dermatologist.
Besides her role in Never Have I Ever, Jagannathan is also known for starring in the cult Bollywood comedy Delhi Belly and being a regular series in the Netflix psychological thriller Gypsy.
The aforementioned series might have garnered her fame, but her status as a critical darling comes from the play Nirbhaya.
Jagannathan co-conceived, produced, and acted in the play, written and directed by Yael Farber, a South African director and playwright.
The play, Nirbhaya was inspired by the brutal assault and murder case in Delhi in 2012 and is about breaking the silence around sexual violence; the boldness of the project was rewarded with the prestigious 2013 Amnesty International Award.
The play was also called one of the most powerful pieces of theatre ever by The Telegraph.
Many critics then and now call Nirbhaya one of the most impactful moments in India's women empowerment history.
Jagannathan's critical recognition has only grown with her career. She went from being named one of India's 50 most beautiful women in 2012 by Femina to being named the top 50 most powerful women in India in 2014 to being named among the 100 most impactful Asians both in 2021 and 2022.
Here Are Some Facts About Poorna Jagannathan
| Age: | 49 |
| Net Worth: | $1.5 Million |
| Profession: | Actress, Producer |
| Nationality: | American |
| Spouse: | Azad Oommen |
| Children: | 1 |
| Date of Birth: | December 22, 1972 |
| Place of Birth: | Tunis, Tunisia |
| Years Active: | 2001 - Present |
Who Is Azad Oommen -Poorna Jagannathan's Husband?
Poorna Jagannathan has been married to Azad Oommen, her husband, since 2003, and they have one child together.
Oommen works in strategic philanthropy in K-12 education in the global south and co-founded Global School Leaders.
Global School Leaders is a non-profit organization that promotes effective school leadership to improve learning for students from under-served communities.
However, Oommen didn't always want a job in education, as he was an economics major in college.
The future educator studied at Georgetown University from 1992 to 1995, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS) in the major of International Development Economics.
After getting his undergraduate degree, Oommen worked as a Director and Mickey Leland Hunger Fellows at the Congressional Hunger Center for two years.
Oommen returned to college, getting a Master of Public Administration in Public Affairs from Princeton University in 2001.
Immediately after the end of his master's program, Oommen became the Manager of the International programs for the Clinton Democracy Fellowship. Oommen served in this role for two years.
His longest employment to date is as the Director of the American India Foundation, where he worked from 2003 to 2010. Then, he became an executive director at Central Square Foundation for four and a half years.
Oommen co-founded Global School Leaders a year after he left Central Square Foundation.
What Is Poorna Jagannathan's Ethnicity?
Actor and producer Poorna Jagannathan is of Indian descent but spent her childhood all over the world.
Jagannathan was born in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, on December 22, 1972. The actress is the daughter of an Indian diplomat, Krish Krishnan, and Vasantha Krishnan.
Due to her father's career, young Jagannathan traveled and grew up in Ireland, Pakistan, Brazil, India, and Argentina.
Young Jagannathan briefly attended the University of Brasilia but graduated in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park.
She attended the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University on a scholarship. At the drama school, she studied for a Master of Fine Arts.
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Though she dropped out after her first year, she continued to study independently under her mentor, Elizabeth Kemp, who she'd met at the school.
She continued her acting training at The Barrow Group, where she currently serves as a board and company member.
How Much Is Poorna Jagannath's Net Worth?
American actress and producer Poorna Jagannath has an estimated net worth of $1.5 Million as of 2022.
Jagannathan has had one of the most eclectic careers among Indian and American actresses. Her roles have been wide, eclectic, and singular to her actress vision.
Her acting in Never Have I Ever has been particularly celebrated for how nuanced and deep Jagannathan is in her portrayal of an Indian mother.
The show is a breath of fresh air for its modern characterization of Indian and Indian-American people, but Jagannathan's acting is especially celebrated.
Besides Never Have I ever, Jagannathan is celebrated for her role in Delhi Belly. Her portrayal of a modern woman without the usual proselytizing or stereotyping was revolutionary, especially in Bollywood, where female characters aren't given much depth.
Read more about other Indian actors here: Is Anirudh Pisharody Indian? 10 Facts To Know About 'Never Have I Ever' Star
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