Hari Kondabolu
A sharp-witted comedian who uses humor as a scalpel to dissect racial stereotypes and spark necessary conversations about identity in America.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American comedian·Birthday: October 21·Millennials
Biography
Hari Kondabolu didn't just enter comedy to get laughs; he stepped on stage armed with a political science degree and a mission to challenge audiences. Born to Indian immigrant parents, his sets became incisive critiques of racism, colonialism, and the lazy stereotypes that permeate culture. His voice found a wider platform as a writer on 'Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell,' but it was his 2017 documentary 'The Problem with Apu' that ignited a national debate. The film meticulously unpacked the harmful legacy of 'The Simpsons' character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, forcing a mainstream reckoning with caricatured representation. Kondabolu's comedy isn't just observational—it's a form of activism, using punchlines to expose uncomfortable truths and advocate for a more thoughtful world.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Hari was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Hari Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Hari's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Created and starred in the critically acclaimed documentary 'The Problem with Apu,' which sparked widespread debate about racial representation in media.
- Was a writer and correspondent on the FX talk show 'Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell.'
- Released multiple comedy albums and specials, including 'Mainstream American Comic' and 'Warn Your Relatives.'
Did You Know?
He earned a master's degree in human rights from the London School of Economics.
He briefly worked as an immigrant rights organizer in Seattle before focusing full-time on comedy.
His brother is fellow comedian Ashok Kondabolu, a member of the hip-hop group Das Racist.
He voiced a character on the animated show 'The Simpsons' in a 2020 episode.
“Humor is a way of breaking down barriers. It's a way of getting to a truth that might be harder to get to with a straight face.”
