Vera Mindy Chokalingam, known professionally as Mindy Kaling, is an American actress, comedian, writer, producer, and author. She gained prominence as a writer and for her portrayal of the character Kelly Kapoor on the sitcom *The Office* (US), for which she received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Writing and served as an executive producer. She later created, produced, and starred in the critically acclaimed series *The Mindy Project*. As a creator, she has developed successful teen and young adult series, including *Never Have I Ever* and *The Sex Lives of College Girls*. Her career also includes writing and starring in the film *Late Night*, roles in films such as *Ocean's 8*, and the publication of several bestselling memoirs. In 2023, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts, one of the highest U.S. civilian honors for artists.