Nasim Pedrad
A stealth comedic force who moved from SNL's ensemble to creating and starring in her own sharply observed sitcom about teenage awkwardness.
Born 1981 (age 45)·American actress·Birthday: November 18·Millennials
Biography
Nasim Pedrad carved a distinct path in American comedy by mastering the art of the specific, often awkward character. Born in Tehran and raised in Irvine, California, she honed her skills at UCLA before landing on Saturday Night Live in 2009. There, she didn't just do impressions; she built a gallery of original, painfully relatable figures, from the high-strung Bedelia to a series of over-it teenage girls. Her post-SNL career was a deliberate pivot toward ownership, leading her to create, write, produce, and star in 'Chad,' a show that filtered the immigrant experience through the lens of a socially anxious 14-year-old boy. This move cemented her status not just as a performer, but as a singular voice crafting nuanced stories about the outsiders everyone recognizes.
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.
Nasim was born in 1981, 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 Nasim Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Nasim's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Was a featured cast member on Saturday Night Live for five seasons, from 2009 to 2014.
- Created, executive produced, wrote, and starred in the TBS/Roku series 'Chad,' playing the titular teenage boy.
- Portrayed the recurring character Aly Nelson on the final three seasons of the hit Fox sitcom 'New Girl.'
- Voiced the character of Dalia in the Disney animated film 'Sofia the First.'
Did You Know?
She and her family left Iran during the Iran-Iraq War when she was just three years old.
She is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
She is fluent in both English and Farsi.
On SNL, she frequently appeared in sketches with fellow cast member Taran Killam.
“I'm drawn to characters who are deeply uncomfortable in their own skin.”
