Anil Kumar Bhardwaj
A classically trained actor and Ohio native, Anil Kumar made his NYC stage debut alongside Alec Baldwin, Angela Basset and Liev Schreiber in the Public Theater’s production of MACBETH directed by George C. Wolfe. While in New York he collaborated with the likes of Terrance McNally, Joseph Chaikin, Joe Mantello and Lynne Meadow.
Kumar is recurring on the new Katherine Heigl hit NBC TV series STATE OF AFFAIRS and has numerous other television credits including leading, recurring and guest starring roles on REVENGE, THE CAPE, LIFE, NIP/TUCK, K-VILLE, E-RING, INCONCEIVABLE, SIX FEET UNDER, 24, JAG, ER, MISS MATCH, THE AGENCY, TRAFFIC, LAW & ORDER: SVU and OZ. Film credits include THE 5 written and directed by Ravi Kapoor, THE ODE written by Ghalib Dhalla and produced by Bharat Shah, PRIDE AND GLORY written and directed by Gavin O’Connor, THE TWO FACES OF JANUS, WESTBANK BROOKLYN, MARMALADE, STORY OF A BAD BOY, THE KARAOKE KING and the cult hit AMERICAN DESI.
Kumar originated the role of Mohamed and enjoyed an over two-and-a-half year run in Manhattan Theater Club’s production of Charles Busch’s smash Broadway hit THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST’S WIFE, alongside Valerie Harper, Linda Lavin, Michele Lee and Tony Roberts. Kumar also originated the role of Vincent in the world premiere of Harry Kondolean’s SAVED OR DESTROYED at the Cleveland Public. He co-starred in the US premiere of Tom Stoppard’s INDIAN INK at ACT in San Francisco directed by Carey Perloff. He originated leading roles and produced several critically acclaimed world premiere plays in NYC and LA as a founding member of East 4th Street Productions: BACKSEATS AND BATHROOM STALLS (LOVE SUCKS), WHAT’S WRONG WITH GETTING LAID?, as well as co-creating and writing THE DAIRY FARM: LAND OF MILK AND HUNNIES. In 2011 LOVE SUCKS enjoyed an over 16-week run playing to sold out houses at The Coast Playhouse in West Hollywood.
Kumar wrote and produced a hugely successful 5-week run of his first solo play: RISE AND SHINE…or…I THOUGHT I WAS WHITE! at the Let Live Theater in Los Angeles this fall playing to sold out houses, rave reviews and standing ovations every night. Plans for a global tour, TV series and film are all in the works. Kumar also serves President on the Board of Directors for the elementary school dance program BALLROOM MADNESS. An organization that implements a dynamic dance program that develops creative potential, sets a foundation of respect, teamwork, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment for every student one step at a time, BALLROOM MADNESS teaches thousands of students every year throughout Los Angeles.
Kumar has written three children’s books (MY DOG FRED, I HAD A DOG NAMED MAC AND THE GRATEFUL DOODS) with his sister-in-law, illustrator and collaborator Heather Valenzuela. He holds a BA in Psychology from Kent State University and earned an MFA from the professional Actor Training Program at Rutgers University under the tutelage of William Esper, Maggie Flanningan, Leonard Petit, Pierre Lefevre, and Lloyd Williamson.
Anil is also an avid snowboarder and plays the guitar very poorly.
“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars…”
—Jack Kerouac
Anil Kumar
Bad Hindu
323-251-4689
www.riseandshinetheplay.com
www.ithoughtiwaswhite.com
@monkeymankumar
@onebadhindu
