Anirudh Pisharody (born February 2, 1994) is an Indian-American actor and producer based in Los Angeles, California.
He is best known for playing Des in Netflix’s Never Have I Ever and firefighter Ravi Panikkar in the long-running ABC drama 9-1-1.
Who is Anirudh Pisharody?
Anirudh Pisharody is an Indian-American actor and film producer working across both film and television in Hollywood. He is also known by his nickname Andy Pisharody.
His breakout moment came in 2022, when he joined the cast of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever as Des, a recurring love interest in Season 3.
Since then, he has built a steady presence on television, appearing in multiple seasons of 9-1-1 as Ravi Panikkar. Beyond acting, he co-founded Black Velvet Films, a production company he launched in January 2017.
Early Life of Anirudh Pisharody
Anirudh Pisharody was born on February 2, 1994, in India, to Malayali parents. His family later relocated to the United States, where he grew up in Austin, Texas.
He grew up performing in local theatre productions, describing his upbringing as a “very quiet Southern upbringing.” Pisharody began acting in elementary school productions before taking theater as an elective in middle school.
His immigrant parents encouraged him toward a stable career, steering him away from acting. Despite that pressure, his early exposure to the stage planted the seed for his eventual career in entertainment.
Anirudh Pisharody Age
Anirudh Pisharody is 32 years old as of June 24, 2026, born on February 2, 1994.
His zodiac sign is Aquarius. By 2026, he was appearing in his fifth consecutive season of 9-1-1 as a series regular.
Anirudh Pisharody Ethnicity and Nationality
Anirudh Pisharody holds Indian-American nationality and was born to Malayali parents from India.
He immigrated to the United States as a child, living first in Virginia before his family settled in Austin, Texas.
His South Asian heritage has been a visible part of his professional identity, particularly in his public conversations about representation for Brown actors in Hollywood.
Anirudh Pisharody Height and Weight
Anirudh Pisharody stands 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm) tall.
His weight is approximately 165 pounds (75 kg). His athletic build is a fitting match for his role as a firefighter on 9-1-1, a physically demanding character on screen.
Anirudh Pisharody Education
Anirudh attended McNeil High School in Austin, Texas, for his secondary education. He later enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin in 2013.
He graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. Following that degree, he pursued a certificate in Film, Cinema, and Video Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, completing it between 2017 and 2018.
After graduating, he briefly worked in healthcare finance in Washington, D.C. before deciding to move to Los Angeles to pursue acting full time.
Anirudh Pisharody Career
Anirudh Pisharody built his acting career gradually, starting with short films before landing roles in major network television series.
His background in public health and a brief stint in healthcare finance made his pivot to acting an unconventional but deliberate choice.
Career Beginnings
Pisharody made his screen debut in 2017 with the short film The Discovery, marking his first official acting credit. That same year, he co-founded Black Velvet Films alongside his partner Jill V. Dae, establishing himself as both a performer and a producer.
Early television work arrived with appearances in Totally TV (2018–2019), where he played the role of Aladdin.
He also appeared in The Bold and the Beautiful in 2018 and picked up guest roles in Chicken Girls and SEAL Team in 2020. His first notable film work came with the Rogue Warfare trilogy, beginning in 2019.
Breakthrough Role
The turning point in Anirudh Pisharody’s career came in 2022, when he was cast as Des in Season 3 of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever.
Des is an Indian-American teenager who attends an elite private school and becomes a love interest for the main character Devi, played by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan.
He appeared in six episodes of the season. The show, created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, drew widespread attention for its portrayal of the Indian-American teenage experience.
Pisharody spoke publicly about his desire to bring authentic South Asian representation to mainstream TV through the role.
9-1-1 and Expanding Television Presence
In 2021, Anirudh joined the cast of 9-1-1 as firefighter Ravi Panikkar, a member of Station 118. He first appeared in a few episodes of Season 4 before becoming a more regular presence from Season 5 onward.
By Season 9, which premiered in October 2025, Ravi remained an active member of the 118 crew alongside stars Angela Bassett, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Oliver Stark. His role on the show had grown to 46 episodes as of 2026, per IMDb.
He also starred as Luke in eight episodes of ABC’s thriller series Big Sky in 2022. Other television credits include The Goldbergs, Last Man Standing, Morgan’s Secret Admirer, and a guest appearance in Season 21 of Grey’s Anatomy in 2025.
Pisharody appeared in 46 episodes of 9-1-1 through 2026.
Recent Work
In 2025, Pisharody was cast in the upcoming dark comedy feature Better Life, directed by Jessica Liu in her feature debut. The film also stars Randall Park, Ming-Na Wen, Joel Kim Booster, and Margaret Cho. Principal photography wrapped in October 2025 in Los Angeles.
Also in 2024, he appeared in the film Unit 234, adding another feature credit to his growing resume. He also has a short film, The Hand of God, currently in post-production as of 2026.
Anirudh Pisharody Filmography
Television
- Totally TV (2018–2019) — Aladdin
- The Bold and the Beautiful (2018)
- Chicken Girls (2020)
- SEAL Team (2020)
- Morgan’s Secret Admirer (2020–2021)
- The Goldbergs (2021)
- Last Man Standing (2021)
- I Met My Murderer Online (2021)
- 9-1-1 (2021–2026) — Ravi Panikkar
- Never Have I Ever (2022) — Des
- Big Sky (2022) — Luke
- S.W.A.T. (2024)
- Grey’s Anatomy (2025) — Dev
Film
- The Discovery (short, 2017)
- Rogue Warfare (2019)
- Rogue Warfare: The Hunt (2019)
- Killer Competition (2020)
- Rogue Warfare: Death of a Nation (2020)
- Cerebrum (2021)
- Unit 234 (2024)
- Better Life (upcoming)
Anirudh Pisharody Awards and Recognition
Anirudh Pisharody received the Snow Leopard Rising Star Award at the 9th Annual Asian World Film Festival in November 2023.
The award was presented at a ceremony held at the Culver Theater in Hollywood on November 17, 2023. His citation recognized his work across Big Sky, Never Have I Ever, and 9-1-1.
According to IMDb, he has accumulated a total of 7 wins as of 2026 across his career. The Asian World Film Festival recognition placed him alongside a list of prominent Asian and Asian-American talent honored by the festival each year.
Anirudh Pisharody Wife
Anirudh Pisharody is reportedly married to Jill V. Dae, a Chinese-Canadian film director and producer. The two first met in Texas in early 2015 and began dating shortly after.
Jill V. Dae serves as the CEO and director at Black Velvet Films, the production company the couple co-founded together in January 2017. They got engaged on July 7, 2019.
Multiple sources report that the two have since married, though they have not publicly shared wedding photos. They celebrate anniversaries in April each year.
Anirudh Pisharody Net Worth
Anirudh Pisharody’s estimated net worth is $1.5 million. His income comes from acting in film and television, brand work, modeling, and his work as a producer through Black Velvet Films.
His role as a series regular on 9-1-1 since 2021 has been a significant source of consistent income. He also earns through commercial appearances and entrepreneurial ventures.
As his profile continues to grow through high-profile projects like Better Life and ongoing seasons of 9-1-1, his net worth is expected to increase in the coming years.
Anirudh Pisharody Social Media
Anirudh Pisharody is active on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). His Instagram handle is @anirudh.pisharody, where he shares updates on his professional projects and personal life.
On X, he posts as @AnirudhPish. He has used the platform to engage with fans about his roles on Never Have I Ever and 9-1-1.
His Instagram following grew substantially following his role in Never Have I Ever, and he continues to maintain an active presence on both platforms as of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Anirudh Pisharody’s net worth?
Anirudh Pisharody’s estimated net worth is $1.5 million, earned through acting, producing, and commercial work.
How old is Anirudh Pisharody?
He is 32 years old as of June 24, 2026, born on February 2, 1994.
Who is Anirudh Pisharody married to?
He is reportedly married to Jill V. Dae, a Chinese-Canadian film director and the CEO of Black Velvet Films, whom he got engaged to on July 7, 2019.
What is Anirudh Pisharody’s height?
Anirudh Pisharody stands 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm) tall.
What movies and projects has Anirudh Pisharody been in?
His most notable projects include Never Have I Ever (2022), 9-1-1 (2021–2026), Big Sky (2022), and the upcoming film Better Life (filmed 2025).
Where was Anirudh Pisharody born?
He was born in India to Malayali parents and was raised in Austin, Texas, after his family immigrated to the United States.
The Bottom Line
Anirudh Pisharody landed his breakout role as Des in Season 3 of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever in 2022, earning recognition across South Asian communities for his authentic portrayal of an Indian-American teenager.
His follow-up as Ravi Panikkar on 9-1-1 extended that momentum across five seasons through 2026.
Born in India and raised in Austin, Texas, Pisharody holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from The University of Texas at Austin — a degree he initially pursued under pressure from his immigrant parents before choosing acting.
His path from healthcare finance in Washington, D.C. to Hollywood is a notable part of his public story.
In 2025, he completed filming on the dark comedy Better Life alongside Randall Park, Ming-Na Wen, and Margaret Cho, marking his most high-profile feature film role to date.
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