Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mindy Kaling
Discover the career path of Mindy Kaling, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
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.
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: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
April 27, 2020: Premiere of Never Have I Ever
On April 27, 2020, Never Have I Ever premiered on Netflix.
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.
January 12, 2023: Premiere of "Velma" series
On January 12, 2023, the series Velma premiered, receiving mixed to negative reviews and polarizing fan reception.
2023: Never Have I Ever finale
In 2023, Never Have I Ever, the television comedy series created by Mindy Kaling, had its finale.
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.
