External links
| Authority control databases: Artists |
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| Zarna Garg | |
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| Born | February 15, 1975 India |
| Nationality | Indian, American |
| Education | University of Akron Case Western Reserve University |
| Years active | 2018-present |
| Spouse | Shalabh Garg |
| Children | 3 |
Zarna Garg (born February 15, 1975) [1] is an Indian-American stand-up comedian and screenwriter. CNBC described her as "the zany, outspoken voice of the Indian American woman." [2] She is also a New York Times bestselling author.
Born in India, Zarna lived in Mumbai as a teenager. Her mother died of jaundice when Zarna was fourteen. [3] Her father demanded that Zarna get married the day after the death. Rather than have an arranged marriage, Zarna moved out of the house and stayed with friends and family. [4]
Eventually, she emigrated to the United States, relocating to live with her sister in Akron, Ohio. [2] [5]
She earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Akron, and a Juris Doctor degree from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law. [6] After being a stay-at-home mother for 16 years, she was encouraged by her children to try stand-up comedy. [7]
Garg first performed at an open mic in New York City in 2018, [5] and her first official standup show was in February 2019 at Carolines on Broadway in New York City. [3] Her debut romantic comedy screenplay Rearranged won the Best Comedy Screenplay Award at the 2019 Austin Film Festival, and was also a 2019 Academy Nicholl Fellowships Semi-Finalist. [8]
In 2021, Garg won Kevin Hart's comedy competition on Peacock, Lyft Comics. [9] She also won the Ladies of Laughter Award in the Newcomer Winner category. [10] In 2022 she was highlighted as "one of the gutsiest women comedians in America" in Gutsy on Apple TV, hosted by Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton. [11] [12] She appeared on Tamron Hall , [13] Today , [14] and This American Life [15] to discuss how her daughter Zoya inspired her to start her stand up comedy career. She then made a second appearance on This American Life with her husband, Shalabh. She was named one of "Variety's 10 Comics to Watch for 2023." [16]
Her first comedy special, Zarna Garg: One in a Billion, was released on Prime Video on May 16, 2023. It was filmed in September 2022 at Gramercy Theatre in New York City. [12] "Quick set-ups, rapid-fire punchlines ... Zarna has the kind of presence that powers network sitcoms," said Jason Zinoman of The New York Times . [17] Her follow up special, Practical People Win, was released on Hulu on July 18, 2025. [18] [19]
Garg's memoir This American Woman was released on April 29, 2025 and is a New York Times bestseller. [20]
She starred in A Nice Indian Boy as the mother of the Gavaskar family. The film premiered at the SXSW film festival [21] and is a New York Times Critic's Pick. [22]
She is currently opening for Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's tour and touring her next stand-up hour, Practical People Win, in the US and internationally. She is also touring her podcast The Zarna Garg Show.[ citation needed ]
In 1998 Zarna married Shalabh Garg in the USA. They met on an online platform. They have three children together and live in New York City. [23]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | To the Letter | Asha | Voice, Short film |
| 2023 | Zarna Garg: One in a Billion Amazon | Self | Also writer |
| 2023 | The Zarna Garg Show: Family Podcast | Self | Producer |
| 2024 | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | Self | Guest |
| 2024 | A Nice Indian Boy | Megha Gavaskar | Actress |
| 2025 | Zarna Garg: Practical People Win | Self | Also writer |
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