Mindy Kaling makes history as first South Asian woman on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Actress and showrunner Mindy Kaling received a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, in Los Angeles.

“I’m so happy, I love recognition,” said Kaling jokingly during her star dedication ceremony.

“I am so grateful to the fans of my work and to the audiences who got me here, who believed in me enough to think that I actually was a star,” Kaling said. “I’m grateful to anyone who could just watch me in a movie or pick up my book of essays and wonder what’s on my mind. I’m incredibly grateful to anyone who took a chance on me.”

Kaling, 45, who is Indian American, received the 2,800th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s Television category, according to the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s website.

She joined over 2,700 celebrities from various entertainment industries, whose names are engraved in the world-renowned sidewalk administered by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, according to the Walk’s website.

“I was told after receiving my star that I was the first South Asian woman to have a star on the Walk of Fame. I’m humbled by that,” Kaling posted on Instagram. “I am so proud to be South Asian, and I want to make my community proud of everything I do, but more importantly, I want to help usher in the next generation of South Asian stars - who are already making a huge impact across the world.”

Kaling is best known for her role as, Kelly Kapoor, on the hit TV comedy show “The Office,” which ran from 2005 to 2013, according to IMDb.

She has written, produced, and acted in over 40 films and TV shows, including the 2018 action-comedy film “Ocean’s Eight,” Disney’s 2015 animated dramedy “Inside Out,” and the comedy medical drama series “The Mindy Project” (2012-2017).

Behind the camera, Kaling has also created, written, and produced several series, including the comedy-drama “The Sex Lives of College Girls” (2021-), Netflix’s comedy-drama “Never Have I Ever” (2020-2023), the animated mystery comedy “Velma” (2023-2024), and the 2018 comedy “Champions.”

Last February, she received the Producers Guild of America’s Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television, according to the Walk’s website.

For her work in film and television, Kaling received the National Medal of Arts in 2023. A year earlier, her production company was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential Companies, according to the Walk’s website.

“Mindy respects and understands (fame) in a very intuitive way because in addition to being a brilliant and wildly successful showrunner, an incredible mother of three, a deep and caring daughter and friend and mentor to so many,” she is also in her spare time very superficial actor B.J. Novak‚, Kaling’s long-time friend, “The Office” co-star and godfather of her three children, said during the Walk-of-Fame ceremony.

Ana Martinez, producer of the Walk’s ceremonies, added:

“Not only is Kaling funny, but she is also a talented and innovative creator whose contributions to television have entertained audiences around the world.”

For her work in film and television, Kaling received the National Medal of Arts in 2023. A year eariler, Kaling was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential Companies, according to the walk’s website.

“Mindy respects and understands (fame) in a very intuitive way because in addition to being a brilliant and wildly successful showrunner, an incredible mother of three, a deep and caring daughter and friend and mentor to so many,” she is also in her sparetime very superficial actor B.J. Novak‚, Kaling’s long-time friend, “The Office” co-star and godfather of her three children, said during the Walk-of-Fame ceremony.

Ana Martinez, producer of the walk’s ceremonies, added.

“Not only is Kaling funny, but she is also a talented and innovative creator whose contributions to television have entertained audiences around the world.”

Mosaic staff writer Vashti Harris can be reached at vharris@njadvancemedia.com.

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