Karan Brar
An actor who grew up on screen, transitioning from a beloved Disney Channel sidekick to a voice for authentic South Asian representation.
Born 1999 (age 27)·American actor·Birthday: January 18·Generation Z
Biography
Karan Brar didn't just land a childhood dream role; he built a career from it. As the earnest and hilarious Ravi Ross on Disney Channel's 'Jessie' and 'Bunk'd,' he became a familiar face in millions of homes, navigating the weirdness of a Manhattan penthouse and a Maine summer camp with equal charm. But Brar's work extends beyond the sitcom laugh track. He was part of the cinematic childhood of a generation as Chirag Gupta in the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' films. As he matured, so did his choices, taking on voice roles and using his platform to speak thoughtfully about the importance of on-screen diversity. Brar represents a new wave of actors who emerged from the Disney system, carrying that audience with them while consciously shaping a more nuanced career.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Karan was born in 1999, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Karan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1999
#1 Movie
Star Wars: Episode I
Best Picture
American Beauty
#1 TV Show
ER
Karan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1999Born
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2004Started school
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2012Became a teenager
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
2015Could drive
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2017Could vote
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2020Turned 21
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 27 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred as a series regular on the Disney Channel sitcom 'Jessie' and its spin-off 'Bunk'd' for multiple seasons.
- Portrayed Chirag Gupta across three films in the popular 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' movie franchise.
- Served as a presenter for the television series 'Marvel's Hero Project,' which showcases young real-life heroes.
- Provided the voice for the character Ravi in the Disney Junior animated series 'The Lion Guard.'
Did You Know?
He is of Indian descent, specifically from the Uttarakhand region.
Brar is a trained dancer in the Indian classical dance form of Kathak.
He was classmates with fellow actor Sophie Reynolds while filming 'Bunk'd.'
He has a pet bearded dragon named Pretzel.
“I grew up on a set, so my normal is a little different.”
