History of Mindy Kaling in Timeline
Mindy Kaling, born Vera Mindy Chokalingam, is an accomplished American actress, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. She is widely recognized for her contributions to television, earning a Tony Award and numerous Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Kaling is the founder of Kaling International, a production company established in 2012.
June 24, 1979: Birth of Mindy Kaling
On June 24, 1979, Vera Mindy Chokalingam, known professionally as Mindy Kaling, was born. This marks the beginning of her journey as an actress, comedian, screenwriter, and producer.
1997: Graduation from Buckingham Browne & Nichols
In 1997, Mindy Kaling graduated from Buckingham Browne & Nichols.
2001: Graduation from Dartmouth College
In 2001, Mindy Kaling graduated from Dartmouth College with a bachelor's degree in playwriting.
August 2002: Portrayal of Ben Affleck in Matt & Ben
In August 2002, Mindy Kaling portrayed Ben Affleck in an off-Broadway play called Matt & Ben, which she co-wrote.
2004: Hired for The Office
In 2004, Mindy Kaling was hired as a writer-performer for The Office after Greg Daniels read a spec script she wrote.
2005: Appearance on Curb Your Enthusiasm
In 2005, Mindy Kaling appeared in an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, playing Richard Lewis's assistant.
2005: The Office premiere
In 2005, Mindy Kaling gained recognition for playing Kelly Kapoor in the NBC sitcom The Office, where she also worked as a writer.
April 2006: Guest Writer for Saturday Night Live
In April 2006, Mindy Kaling guest-wrote parts of an episode of Saturday Night Live.
2007: Small part in License to Wed
In 2007, Mindy Kaling had a small part in License to Wed.
2009: Role in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
In 2009, Mindy Kaling starred in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.
2010: Nomination for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
In 2010, Mindy Kaling and Greg Daniels were nominated for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series for The Office episode "Niagara".
2010: Despicable Me voice role
In 2010, Mindy Kaling had a voice role in Despicable Me.
September 15, 2011: New contract with The Office and promotion
On September 15, 2011, Mindy Kaling signed a new contract to stay with The Office and was promoted to full executive producer.
September 29, 2011: Relaunch of "Things I've Bought That I Love"
On September 29, 2011, Mindy Kaling's blog, Things I've Bought That I Love, reemerged on her website.
2011: No Strings Attached role
In 2011, Mindy Kaling had a live action role in No Strings Attached.
2011: Role in No Strings Attached
In 2011, Mindy Kaling played the role of Shira in No Strings Attached.
2012: The Mindy Project
In 2012, Mindy Kaling created, produced, and played the title role in the Fox/Hulu sitcom The Mindy Project.
2012: Founded Kaling International
In 2012, Mindy Kaling founded Kaling International, her production company.
2012: Wreck-It Ralph and The Five-Year Engagement roles
In 2012, Mindy Kaling had voice role in Wreck-It Ralph and a live action role in The Five-Year Engagement.
2012: Appearance in The Five-Year Engagement
In 2012, Mindy Kaling made an appearance as Vanetha in The Five-Year Engagement.
2012: The Mindy Project and Kaling International
In 2012, Mindy Kaling pitched The Mindy Project to Fox and founded her production company, Kaling International.
2012: Included in Time 100 list
In 2012, Mindy Kaling was included in the Time 100 list of the world's most influential people.
2012: Death of Mindy Kaling's Mother
In 2012, Mindy Kaling's mother passed away due to pancreatic cancer.
2013: Time 100 recognition
In 2013, Mindy Kaling was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
2013: End of The Office
In 2013, Mindy Kaling's work on The Office ended after having worked on the show as both an actress and a writer.
2013: Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People
In 2013, Time magazine named Mindy Kaling one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
2014: Glamour's Women of the Year
In 2014, Mindy Kaling was named one of Glamour's Women of the Year.
May 2015: Cancellation of The Mindy Project by Fox
In May 2015, Fox canceled Mindy Kaling's series The Mindy Project.
September 15, 2015: Publication of "Why Not Me?"
On September 15, 2015, Mindy Kaling published her second book, Why Not Me?, which covers events in her life since 2011.
2015: Inside Out voice role
In 2015, Mindy Kaling had a voice role in Inside Out.
2015: Voice role in Inside Out
In 2015, Mindy Kaling voiced Disgust in Pixar's film Inside Out.
March 2017: Announcement of The Mindy Project's Final Season
In March 2017, Mindy Kaling announced that The Mindy Project's sixth season would be the last.
September 2017: Airing of The Mindy Project's Sixth Season
In September 2017, the sixth season of The Mindy Project, which would be the last, began airing.
November 14, 2017: Conclusion of The Mindy Project
On November 14, 2017, The Mindy Project concluded.
December 2017: Birth of daughter
In December 2017, Mindy Kaling's daughter was born.
2017: Co-creation of Champions
In 2017, Mindy Kaling co-created, wrote, and produced the NBC series Champions.
2017: End of The Mindy Project
In 2017, The Mindy Project, which Mindy Kaling created, produced, and starred in, came to an end.
March 8, 2018: Premiere of Champions
On March 8, 2018, Champions premiered on NBC.
June 10, 2018: Honorary Degree from Dartmouth College
On June 10, 2018, Mindy Kaling received an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Dartmouth College.
2018: A Wrinkle in Time and Ocean's 8 roles
In 2018, Mindy Kaling had live action roles in A Wrinkle in Time and Ocean's 8.
2019: Late Night role
In 2019, Mindy Kaling had live action role in Late Night, which she also wrote and produced.
2019: Kaling spoke about sexism in the Television Academy
In 2019, Mindy Kaling spoke about the sexism she faced with the Television Academy regarding her producer credit for The Office.
April 27, 2020: Premiere of Never Have I Ever
On April 27, 2020, Never Have I Ever premiered on Netflix.
September 2020: Birth of son
In September 2020, Mindy Kaling's son was born.
2020: Never Have I Ever premiere
In 2020, Mindy Kaling created the television comedy series Never Have I Ever.
2020: Publication of "Nothing Like I Imagined (Except For Sometimes)"
In 2020, Mindy Kaling published a third memoir, Nothing Like I Imagined (Except For Sometimes), with Amazon Original Stories.
February 2021: Announcement of "Velma" series
In February 2021, HBO Max announced the adult-oriented Scooby-Doo spin-off series Velma, with Mindy Kaling as executive producer and voice of the titular character.
2021: The Sex Lives of College Girls premiere
In 2021, Mindy Kaling created the television comedy series The Sex Lives of College Girls.
2021: Awarded National Medal of Arts
In 2021, Mindy Kaling was awarded the National Medal of Arts from US president Joe Biden in the White House.
January 12, 2023: Premiere of "Velma" series
On January 12, 2023, the series Velma premiered, receiving mixed to negative reviews and polarizing fan reception.
March 2023: Awarded National Medal of Arts
In March 2023, Mindy Kaling was awarded the 2021 National Medal of Arts from US president Joe Biden in the White House.
2023: Never Have I Ever finale
In 2023, Never Have I Ever, the television comedy series created by Mindy Kaling, had its finale.
February 2024: Birth of daughter
In February 2024, Mindy Kaling's daughter was born.
June 2024: Featured in "L.A. Influential" series
In June 2024, Mindy Kaling was featured in the Los Angeles Times' "L.A. Influential" series as a "creator who is leaving their mark" in Los Angeles.
August 21, 2024: Speaks at Democratic National Convention
On August 21, 2024, Mindy Kaling spoke at the Democratic National Convention in support of Kamala Harris.
2024: Joined Anuja as producer
In 2024, Mindy Kaling joined the short film Anuja as a producer.
2025: Premiere of Running Point
In 2025, Mindy Kaling's sports comedy Running Point, starring Kate Hudson, premiered on Netflix.
