Nasim Pedrad

Nasim Pedrad is an Iranian-born American actress and comedian. She made history as the first Iranian-American cast member on Saturday Night Live, where her impressions of Kim Kardashian and Arianna Huffington became instant fan favorites. After five seasons on SNL, she transitioned to sitcoms, playing Aly Nelson on New Girl and creating the cult comedy Chad, where she transformed into a 14-year-old boy under heavy prosthetics. Her film work includes a standout supporting role in Disney's live-action Aladdin and voice work in The Lorax and Despicable Me 2. Pedrad is known for her fearless physical comedy, sharp character work, and willingness to take risks. As of 2026, she is developing a new HBO Max series based on her family's immigration story.[edit]

Pedrad was born in Tehran, Iran, and moved to the United States at age two with her family, fleeing the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution. They settled in Irvine, California, where she grew up in a Persian-American household. She attended University High School, where she discovered a love for performance through school plays and community theater. After graduating, she enrolled at UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television, earning a Bachelor of Arts in theater in 2003. While at UCLA, she joined the improv comedy group The Groundlings, training in sketch and improvisation. She became one of the youngest performers to join the main stage company in 2007. Before her big break, she landed small roles on ER and The Sarah Silverman Program and was cast in the 2007 Fox pilot The Winner, which was not picked up.[edit]

In 2009, Pedrad was hired as a featured player on Saturday Night Live for Season 35, becoming the first Iranian-American cast member. She was promoted to repertory status the following season, earning praise for impressions of Taylor Swift, Barbara Walters, and Kelly Ripa, as well as original characters like The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party. She left SNL in 2014 to star in the Fox sitcom Mulaney, which was canceled after one season. In 2015, she joined New Girl as Aly Nelson, a police officer and love interest of Winston Bishop, becoming a series regular through 2018. She appeared in Scream Queens and People of Earth, and voiced roles in The Lorax, Despicable Me 2, and Ice Age: Collision Course. In 2019, she played Dalia, Princess Jasmine's handmaiden, in Disney's Aladdin. In 2021, she created, executive produced, and starred in Chad on TBS and later The Roku Channel, playing the title character for two seasons. As of 2026, she is developing an HBO Max series and attached to star in the indie film Tehrangeles.[edit]

Pedrad is known for her energetic, physical comedy style, often playing bold, eccentric characters. Off-screen, she favors minimalist, modern fashion with Persian-influenced accessories. Critics consistently describe her as fearless, versatile, and underrated, praising her ability to disappear into roles, especially her transformative performance as a teenage boy in Chad. Her comedy ranges from sharp observational humor to absurdist character work, often exploring themes of identity and cultural displacement. She is relatively private on social media, posting promotional content and occasional political commentary, maintaining a professional and humorous tone. Fans informally refer to themselves as Pedradians.[edit]

Nasim Pedrad's audience remains a diffuse collection of viewers rather than a unified movement with a formal name. Her fanbase consists primarily of those who follow her work through social media and television appearances, including loyalists from her tenure on Saturday Night Live and New Girl. While she maintains an active digital presence with 351K followers on Instagram, there are no records of organized fan campaigns, ritualized gatherings, or specific charitable drives undertaken in her name. The most notable cultural moment for her supporters occurred in March 2026, when a viral podcast interaction saw former co-star Lamorne Morris surprise her with a date proposal nearly eight years after their show ended. This event generated widespread coverage across major entertainment outlets and highlighted the enduring chemistry between the two actors, though it remained a verified news story rather than a mythologized legend involving crowd disruption. Beyond this recent incident, her iconic status is anchored in her transformative character work, particularly the digital shorts like "When Will the Bass Drop?" which achieved millions of views during her SNL years. In terms of global standing, Nasim Pedrad is currently the 82nd most famous person from Iran, a position that has fallen from 80th in the previous cycle. These placements are part of the broader iFANN Global Fame Rankings. Her reputation as a versatile performer ensures her visibility continues to grow within the comedy sphere.[edit]

Nasim Pedrad is fluent in Persian (Farsi) and occasionally incorporates the language into her comedic routines. She spent 2.5 hours in makeup prosthetics each day to transform into a 14-year-old boy for the series Chad. A classically trained pianist, she studied the instrument for 12 years during her childhood. Pedrad has a fear of flying and frequently chooses to drive cross-country to reach filming locations. Her older sister, Nina Pedrad, serves as a writer and producer who has collaborated on New Girl and The Simpsons. Pedrad was the first Iranian-American to serve as a full-time cast member on Saturday Night Live, a milestone she described as a significant responsibility. In March 2026, a widely reported podcast appearance featured Lamorne Morris surprising Pedrad with a date proposal, an interaction that became a major talking point among fans of their previous collaboration. This event clarified the lasting bond between the two actors following their time on New Girl.[edit]

Pedrad was born to Parvaneh and Ardeshir Pedrad. Her father was a physician in Iran; her mother was a homemaker. The family immigrated to the United States when she was two, settling in Irvine, California. She has an older sister, Nina Pedrad, who works as a writer and producer. Pedrad owns a home in Los Angeles, purchased in 2016, and does not have children.[edit]

Pedrad has collaborated closely with Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, and Taran Killam during her SNL years. On New Girl, she worked alongside Lamorne Morris, Hannah Simone, and Zooey Deschanel. She co-starred with Anna Kendrick in Desperados and with Mena Massoud in Aladdin. Her sister, Nina Pedrad, is a frequent writing collaborator.[edit]

Pedrad was rumored to have dated SNL castmate John Milhiser in 2010-2011, though neither confirmed. In 2012, speculation linked her to Joel McHale after appearances on The Soup. She was also rumored to be involved with Taran Killam in 2012-2013. From 2019 to 2020, she dated Irish actor Patrick Gibson, known for The OA and Shadow and Bone; they split amicably due to distance. In 2021, rumors surfaced about comedian Bobby Lee, but both denied it, calling each other close friends. As of 2026, Pedrad is single and has not been publicly linked to anyone since 2021. She has no known children.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Nasim Pedrad's net worth stands at $4 Million as of 2026. This figure reflects her extensive career in television and film. During her five seasons on Saturday Night Live, she earned an estimated $25,000 to $50,000 per episode. On New Girl, she made around $40,000 to $60,000 per episode. As creator and star of Chad, she earned approximately $100,000 to $150,000 per episode. Her supporting role in Aladdin paid an estimated $300,000 to $500,000. Voice acting roles in animated films like The Lorax and Despicable Me 2 each brought in $50,000 to $100,000. She also owns a home in Los Angeles purchased for $1.2 million in 2016 and founded Pedrad Productions in 2020.[edit]