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{{Short description|Indian-American comedian}}
{{Infobox comedian
|name = Zarna Garg
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|2|15}}
|birth_place = [[India]]
|death_date =
|death_place =
|spouse = Shalabh Garg
|children = 3
|education = [[University of Akron]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[Case Western Reserve University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
}}
'''Zarna Garg''' (born February 15, 1975)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/music-stage/2023/10/09/zarna-garg-comedian/|title=Meet Zarna Garg: Immigrant Indian mother whose comedy has captivated the US audience for daring and an unflattering portrayal of the stereotype of Indian aunty maladjusted in America.

|first=Sonali|last=Kokra|date=October 9, 2023|website=The National}}</ref> is an [[Indian Americans|Indian American]] [[Stand-up comedy|stand-up comedian]] and screenwriter. [[CNBC]] said she is "the zany, outspoken voice of the Indian American woman."<ref name="cnbc">{{Cite web|title=Zarna Garg: the zany, outspoken voice of the Indian-American woman|url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/buzz/zarna-garg-the-zany-outspoken-voice-of-the-indian-american-woman-5082001.htm|access-date=2021-06-01|website=cnbctv18.com|date=18 January 2020|language=en-US}}</ref> She is also a [[The New York Times|''New York Times'']] bestselling author.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hardcover Nonfiction Books - Best Sellers - Books - May 18, 2025 - The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2025/05/18/hardcover-nonfiction/ |access-date=2026-02-20 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Born in [[India]], Zarna lived in [[Mumbai]] as a teenager. Her mother died of hepatitis when Zarna was 14.<ref name="nit">{{Cite web |last=Dutt |first=Ela |title=She calls herself 'The Funny Brown Mom': comedian Zarna Garg | work = News India Times |date=6 October 2020 |url= https://www.newsindiatimes.com/she-calls-herself-the-funny-brown-mom-comedian-zarna-garg/ |access-date= 2023-03-18 |language=en-US}}</ref> Her father demanded that she get married the day after her mother died. Rather than have an [[arranged marriage]], she moved out of the house and stayed with friends and family.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Power |first=T. |date=July 18, 2025 |title=Zarna Garg treats comedy as a business, not an art form |url=https://www.cbc.ca/arts/q/zarna-garg-treats-comedy-as-a-business-not-an-art-form-1.7588280 |access-date=July 18, 2025 |website=CBC}}</ref> Eventually, she emigrated to the United States to live with her sister in [[Akron, Ohio]].<ref name="cnbc" /><ref name="harpers">{{cite news |last1=Kelsch |first1=Carl |title= Zarna Garg's New Stand-Up Special Is a Family Affair |url= https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a43858065/zarna-garg-standup-special/ |access-date=17 May 2023 |publisher= | work= [[Harpers Bazaar]] |date=12 May 2023}}</ref>

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]] in [[Cleveland|Cleveland, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Biswas |first1=Swarnendu |title=All About Zarna Garg|url= https://www.seema.com/all-about-zarna-garg-the-standup-comedian/ |access-date=17 May 2023 |publisher= | work = Seema.com |date=29 March 2022}}</ref> After being a stay-at-home mother for 16 years, she was encouraged by her children to try stand-up comedy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McCarthy |first1= Sean |title= 'Zarna Garg: One In A Billion' On Prime Video, An Indian Immigrant Mom Releases Her Debut Comedy Special |url=https://decider.com/2023/05/16/zarna-garg-one-in-a-billion-amazon-prime-video-review/ |access-date=17 May 2023 |publisher= | website= Decider.com |date=16 May 2023}}</ref>

== Career ==
Garg first performed at an open mic in a basement under a [[Mexican cuisine|Mexican restaurant]] in [[New York City]] in 2018,<ref name="harpers"/><ref>{{cite podcast|url=https://lemonademedia.com/podcast/laughing-through-the-breakdown-with-zarna-garg|title=Laughing Through the Breakdown with Zarna Garg|date=May 7, 2025|access-date=September 8, 2025}}</ref> and her first official stand-up show was in February 2019 at [[Carolines on Broadway]] in [[Midtown Manhattan|Midtown Manhattan, New York]].<ref name="nit"/> Her debut romantic comedy screenplay ''Rearranged'' won the Best Comedy Screenplay Award at the 2019 [[Austin Film Festival]] in [[Austin, Texas]], and was also a 2019 [[Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting|Academy Nicholl Fellowships]] Semi-Finalist.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Ramos|first1=Dino-Ray|date=2020-02-18|title=Sanjay Sharma's Marginal Mediaworks Sets South Asian Rom-Com 'Rearranged' From Zarna Garg|url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/sanjay-sharma-marginal-mediaworks-zarna-garg-milan-chakraborty-south-asian-indian-diversity-inclusion-representation-1202862360/|access-date=2020-12-16|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2021, Garg won [[Kevin Hart]]'s comedy competition on [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]], ''Lyft Comics''.<ref>{{Citation|title=Which Comedian Will Win This Head-to-Head Undercover Challenge? {{!}} LYFT COMICS (Eps. 1)| date=30 August 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh5NHwDuk5k|language=en|access-date=2021-12-19}}</ref> In the same year, she won the Ladies of Laughter Award in the Newcomer Winner category.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ladies of Laughter® |url=https://www.ladiesoflaughter.org/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=Ladies of Laughter® |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2022 she was highlighted as "one of the gutsiest women comedians in America" in ''Gutsy'' on [[Apple TV (streaming service)|Apple TV]], hosted by [[Hillary Clinton]] and [[Chelsea Clinton]].<ref>{{Cite web |title='Gutsy' Apple TV Plus Review: Stream It Or Skip It? |date=9 September 2022 |url=https://decider.com/2022/09/09/gutsy-apple-tv-plus-review/ |access-date=2022-09-13 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="deadline">{{cite news |last1=Patten |first1=Dominic |title=Zarna Garg Lands First Comedy Special, Gets May Premiere Date On Prime Video |url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/zarna-garg-comedy-special-premiere-date-amazon-1235319061/ |access-date=17 May 2023 |publisher=Deadline |date=6 April 2023}}</ref> She appeared on ''[[Tamron Hall (talk show)|Tamron Hall]]'',<ref>{{Citation |title=Comedian Zarna Garg Went From Being a Stay-At-Home Mom to a Social Media Star | date=16 September 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXUA8MRas70 |language=en |access-date=2022-09-21}}</ref> ''[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]'',<ref>{{Citation |title=Episode dated 7 January 2023|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt25135324/?ref_=nm_rvi_tt_i_2|access-date=2023-01-24|website=IMDb|language=en-US}}</ref> and ''[[This American Life]]''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-17 |title=Comedy Duo |url=https://www.thisamericanlife.org/779/ends-of-the-earth/act-two-4 |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=This American Life}}</ref> to discuss how her daughter Zoya inspired her to start her stand up comedy career. Zarna Garg 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."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Derschowitz |first=Jenelle Riley,Paul Plunkett,Charna Flam,Nick Clement,Courtney Howard,Jessica |date=2023-07-19 |title=Zarna Garg, Leanne Morgan, Brian Simpson Among Variety's 10 Comics to Watch for 2023 |url=https://variety.com/lists/varietys-10-comics-to-watch-2023/ |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

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 the [[Gramercy Theatre]] in Manhattan.<ref name="deadline"/> "Quick set-ups, rapid-fire punchlines... Zarna has the kind of presence that powers network sitcoms," said Jason Zinoman of ''The New York Times''.<ref>{{Citation |title=Five Stand-Up Specials for the Long Holiday Weekend|url=}}</ref> In June 2023, Garg joined Kamala Harris and others to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Washington.<ref>https://www.tiktok.com/@zarnagarg/video/7248279600579513646</ref> In August 2023, Garg launched ''The Zarna Garg Family Podcast,'' exploring a variety of both everyday and traditionally "off limits" topics with her husband and kids.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDvCRal5sgg |title=The Zarna Garg Show {{!}} Ep. 1: The Sex Talk |date=2023-08-01 |last=Zarna Garg |access-date=2026-02-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref> The podcast currently receives around 40,000 YouTube views per episode.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u587nBbbmEo |title=The Zarna Garg Family Podcast {{!}} Episode 115: Dealing With Heartbreak |date=2026-02-09 |last=Zarna Garg |access-date=2026-02-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

From 2023 to 2025 Garg opened for [[Tina Fey]] and [[Amy Poehler]]'s ''Restless Leg Tour.''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Khan |first=Sarah |date=2025-05-29 |title=Zarna Garg Went From Stay-at-Home Mom to Stand-Up Comedian |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/style/zarna-garg-comedian-book.html |access-date=2026-02-20 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In January 2024, Garg made her ''Tonight Show'' debut, followed by her ''Late Night'' debut in May.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJyLhFRSDX8 |title=Zarna Garg Stand-Up: Immigrating to the U.S., The Bachelor {{!}} The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon |date=2024-01-12 |last=The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon |access-date=2026-02-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoWnuE-2CdA |title=Zarna Garg Debuts Her "It's Never Too Late to Take the MCAT" Poem |date=2024-05-01 |last=Late Night with Seth Meyers |access-date=2026-02-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref> In October 2024, the Garg family celebrated Diwali with President Biden in the White House, which Zarna Garg described as "such an honor."<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IG9VYEhCJg |title=The Zarna Garg Family Podcast {{!}} Ep. 48 Diwali at the White House |date=2024-10-30 |last=Zarna Garg |access-date=2026-02-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

Garg's follow up special, ''Practical People Win'', debuted at #2 on [[Hulu]] on July 18, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=2024-11-07 |title=Zarna Garg Sets Stand-Up Special With Hulu |url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/zarna-garg-stand-up-special-set-hulu-1236170079/ |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sahay |first=Alisha |date=July 18, 2025 |title=Zarna Garg's Auntie Bit Is Authentic As Hell — And We Can't Get Enough Of It |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/zarna-garg-hulu-practical-people-win_n_687a5896e4b00f995df52c7b}}</ref> Garg's memoir ''This American Woman'' was released on April 29, 2025 and is a New York Times bestseller.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hardcover Nonfiction Books - Best Sellers - Books - The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2025/05/18/hardcover-nonfiction/ |access-date=2025-05-13 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Garg starred in ''[[A Nice Indian Boy]]'' as the mother of the Gavaskar family. The film premiered at the [[South by Southwest|SXSW]] film festival<ref>{{Citation |title=South by Southwest|url=}}</ref> to positive reviews and is a ''New York Times'' Critic's Pick.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Azzopardi |first=Chris |date=2025-04-03 |title='A Nice Indian Boy' Review: Meet-Cute at a Hindu Temple |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/03/movies/a-nice-indian-boy-review.html |access-date=2025-05-13 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In August 2025 Garg was awarded one of the inaugural Instagram Ring Awards for Creativity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introducing Instagram Rings: A New Award Celebrating Creativity |url=https://creators.instagram.com/blog/introducing-instagram-rings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260210030841/https://creators.instagram.com/blog/introducing-instagram-rings |archive-date=2026-02-10 |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=Instagram for Creators |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref> Her upcoming sitcom ''Zarna'' is in development at CBS with Kevin Hart and Mindy Kaling.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2024-09-18 |title=Zarna Garg Multi-Cam Comedy From Darlene Hunt, Mindy Kaling & Kevin Hart In Works At CBS |url=https://deadline.com/2024/09/zarna-garg-cbs-darlene-hunt-mindy-kaling-amp-kevin-hart-1236092437/ |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> Garg participated in the 2025 [[Saudi Arabia]]'s [[Riyadh Comedy Festival]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-12 |title=Who's who at the Riyadh Comedy Festival |url=https://arab.news/5vdpq |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref> an event which [[Human Rights Watch]] characterized as an attempt by the Saudi government to [[Whitewashing (communications)|whitewash]] its [[human rights abuses]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pandya |first=Hershal |date=2025-09-26 |title='Two Weeks of Laughter in the Desert' |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/riyadh-comedy-festival-saudi-arabia-whos-going.html |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=Vulture |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-23 |title=Saudi Arabia: Riyadh Comedy Festival Whitewashes Abuses {{!}} Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/09/23/saudi-arabia-riyadh-comedy-festival-whitewashes-abuses |access-date=2025-09-29 |language=en}}</ref> She is one of three women to agree to participate in the festival.<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Entertainment Authority {{!}} Riyadh Comedy Festival Kicks Off with a Lineup of the World's Biggest Stars |url=https://www.gea.gov.sa/en/media-center/news/riyadh-comedy-festival-kicks/ |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=www.gea.gov.sa}}</ref> Garg has stated that her comedy specials are most watched in the Middle East out of all regions, and that she feels an obligation to represent and perform for "brown women" there.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Garg |first=Zarna |title=This American woman: a one-in-a-billion memoir |date=2025 |publisher=Ballantine |isbn=978-0-593-97502-2 |edition=First |location=New York}}</ref>

Garg is currently performing her next stand-up hour, ''Million Dollar Excuses'', on tour in the U.S. and internationally.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQNJfOfCLAw |title=Zarna Garg Brings Her Wit And Real‑Life Stories To 'Million Dollar Excuses' Tour {{!}} The View |date=2026-02-13 |last=The View |access-date=2026-02-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
In 1998, Zarna and Shalabh Garg were married in the U.S. They met on an online platform. They have three children and live in New York City.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Ally |last1=Mauch |date=November 11, 2021 |title=Comedian Zarna Garg Jokes About 'Trashing' Her Family: 'It Comes Easily to Me' |url=https://people.com/tv/comedian-zarna-garg-jokes-about-trashing-her-family/|access-date=2021-12-19 |website=People |language=en}}</ref>

== Politics ==
Garg has praised [[Usha Vance]], the wife of U.S. vice president [[JD Vance]], describing her speech at the Republican National Convention in July 2024 as "brilliant" and calling her "Vance's Michelle Obama".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Penley |first=Taylor |date=2024-07-21 |title=Comedian Zarna Garg praises Usha Vance as husband JD's 'secret superpower': 'You can't deny' this about her |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/comedian-zarna-garg-praises-usha-vance-husband-jds-secret-superpower-cant-deny-her |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref> She has also spoken out against the [[Immigration policy of the Biden administration|immigration policies of the Biden administration]].<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/video/6385863883112</ref><ref>https://www.foxnews.com/media/comedian-zarna-garg-praises-usha-vance-husband-jds-secret-superpower-cant-deny-her</ref><ref>https://www.foxnews.com/media/indian-american-comedian-explains-why-trump-appeals-some-members-community.print</ref><ref>https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/the-surprising-symbol-usha-vance-has-become/vi-AA1RvG0U</ref>

Garg cheered on Kamala Harris's candidacy after President Biden endorsed her in July 2024, saying, "Go, Indian ladies!" referring to Usha Vance and Kamala Harris.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/reels/C9sdwQ5y5Sq/ |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref> Garg described Harris as "absolutely ready," "extremely eloquent," "extremely elegant," and a "brilliant woman", and that Kamala's presence in the White House has "forever changed" American life and stretched the imagination of millions of Indian American women.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_NN6axrshc |title="Indian Aunties Rule, Uncles Please Sit Down" {{!}} Zarna Garg On Kamala Harris, Usha Vance {{!}} Joe Biden |date=2024-07-22 |last=Mojo Story |access-date=2026-02-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref> When asked whom she likes better (Usha Vance or Kamala Harris), Zarna said she would be "very happy and very comfortable" if Kamala ends up running America, but that she was bursting with pride to see Usha Vance in the public eye as well.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_NN6axrshc |title="Indian Aunties Rule, Uncles Please Sit Down" {{!}} Zarna Garg On Kamala Harris, Usha Vance {{!}} Joe Biden |date=2024-07-22 |last=Mojo Story |access-date=2026-02-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable unsortable"
|-
! 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
|-
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{official website|https://www.zarnagarg.com}}
* {{IMDb name|11010103}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Garg, Zarna}}
[[Category:21st-century American comedians]]
[[Category:21st-century American screenwriters]]
[[Category:American stand-up comedians]]
[[Category:American women comedians]]
[[Category:Women stand-up comedians]]
[[Category:Comedians from New York City]]
[[Category:American comedians of Indian descent]]
[[Category:American women screenwriters]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Writers from New York City]]
[[Category:Indian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:University of Akron alumni]]
[[Category:Case Western Reserve University School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century births]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian podcasters]]

Zarna Garg - Revision history

Freelaw67: creating basic stub initial version