Neel Nanda, a stand-up comedian recognized for his appearances on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and Comedy Central, passed away at the age of 32. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Indian immigrant parents, Nanda developed an interest in comedy at a young age. He began his journey into stand-up comedy in college, inspired by the shows and jokes he watched and transcribed from Comedy Central. His career in comedy began to take shape in Atlanta before he moved to Los Angeles in 2013. In Los Angeles, he became a regular performer at various venues and networks.
Nanda’s talent was first showcased to a broader audience in 2017 when he performed a five-minute set on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” This appearance was a significant milestone for Nanda, who had always aspired to perform on the show, citing it as his proudest accomplishment. He also made multiple appearances on Comedy Central shows like “Adam Devine’s House Party” and “Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents” in January.
In addition to his television appearances, Nanda was known for his involvement in the internet series “Garland: Anthology” and the Snapchat original series “Apocalypse Goals.” He hosted the weekly show “Unnecessary Evil” at the Westside Comedy Theater in Los Angeles, further establishing his presence in the comedy scene.
Nanda’s manager, Greg Weiss, confirmed his passing. Weiss, who had known Nanda for over 11 years, stated that the comedian was fully booked with appearances through February. The sudden loss of Nanda, who was in the midst of an active and promising career, was felt deeply in the comedy community.
Tributes to Nanda poured in from fellow comedians and comedy clubs, remembering him as a talented comic and a nice person. His positive influence in the comedy world and his hard work were highlighted in these tributes.
Nanda’s career trajectory was notable for his rapid rise in the comedy scene, going from writing down jokes from Comedy Central specials in his teens to performing on some of the very platforms that inspired him. His journey represented the realization of a dream for many aspiring comedians.
At the time of his passing, Nanda had been scheduled to perform two shows in Toronto around his birthday, demonstrating his ongoing commitment and passion for stand-up comedy.
