Utkarsh Ambudkar Explained

Utkarsh Ambudkar
Birth Date:8 December 1983
Birth Place:Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Alma Mater:Tisch School of Arts
Spouse:[1]
Children:3[2]
Years Active:2004–present

Utkarsh Ambudkar (;[3] born December 8, 1983),[4] [5] also known by his stage name UTK the INC, is an American actor, rapper, and singer. He is known for his film roles including Pitch Perfect (2012), Game Over, Man! (2018), Blindspotting (2018), Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019), The Broken Hearts Gallery (2020), Free Guy (2021), Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021), and World's Best (2023). His television roles include The Mindy Project, White Famous, Never Have I Ever, and Ghosts. He recently appeared in the Hulu limited series The Dropout (2022).

He made his Broadway debut in Lin-Manuel Miranda's improvisational hip-hop show Freestyle Love Supreme in 2019.

Early life

Utkarsh Ambudkar was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 8, 1983, to a Marathi father and a Tamil mother. He grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where his parents, who had emigrated from India in the 1980s, were research scientists at the National Institutes of Health. He starred in comedy roles at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland, and he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University in 2004.[6] [7] [8] [9]

Through his mother, Ambudkar is a descendant of the lawyer and jurist Sir Vembakkam Bhashyam Aiyangar.[10]

Career

Ambudkar is a former VJ for MTV Desi. He appeared in the comedy film Pitch Perfect, as the character Donald, and in the television shows The Mindy Project and The Muppets.[11] He was set to star in the Fox series Eat, Pray, Thug,[12] but the show was not picked up.[13] Ambudkar originated the role of Aaron Burr in the developmental readings of Hamilton. He formerly played Raj on the sitcom Brockmire. He played Jern in the 2019 film Brittany Runs a Marathon.[14]

He played Skatch, a con artist, in a deleted scene of the 2020 Disney live-action remake of Mulan.[15] That same year, he appeared in Disney's Godmothered, and then in the 2021 action comedy Free Guy.[16] [17] In 2020, Ambudkar debuted as the mongoose Chikku in the Disney Junior animated series Mira, Royal Detective. He is currently starring in the CBS supernatural sitcom Ghosts (2021).[18]

He was a member of the musical group "The Beatards." Since 2005, Ambudkar has been a part of hip-hop improv group Freestyle Love Supreme under the name UTK the INC. As part of the group, he participated in the limited television series for Pivot in 2014[19] and made his Broadway debut in the group's self-titled show on October 2, 2019.[20]

Ambudkar has appeared in several Youtube sketch comedy skits including the comedy groups CollegeHumor and Key & Peele. Ambudkar starred in Force Grey: Giant Hunters (2016) and Force Grey: Lost City of Omu (2017), a Dungeons & Dragons actual play web series with Matthew Mercer as the Dungeon Master, where he played the character Hitch, a rogue with a nefarious past. In 2023, he appeared as a guest player in Critical Role third campaign, also hosted by Mercer, as the sorcerer Bor'Dor.[21]

Personal life

Ambudkar married in 2019, and has three children.

He struggled with alcoholism in the early 2010s. In a 2023 interview, he revealed that he has been sober for eight and a half years. He also stated that his lack of sobriety at the time was why he was replaced as Aaron Burr in Hamilton.[22] [23] He told The New York Times in 2019: "It was ego, it was being a daily marijuana user, it was partying at night, it was being preoccupied, growing up as a brown person, feeling unattractive, and seeking validation of the opposite sex to sort of fill a hole, my self-worth."

Discography

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007Rocket ScienceRam
2008Last CallNikash
2012Pitch PerfectDonald
2015Freaks of NatureParminder
2016Ride Along 2Amir
Raja
2017Basmati BluesRajit
2018BlindspottingRin
Game Over, Man!Bae Awadi
2019Brittany Runs a MarathonJern Dahn
2020MulanSkatchDeleted scene
Max Vora
GodmotheredGrant
2021Tom & JerryReal Estate RatVoice
Free GuyMouser
Tick, Tick... Boom!Todd
2022The Ice Age Adventures of Buck WildOrsonVoice
Marry MeCoach Manny
The DropRobbie
2023World's BestSuresh PatelAlso writer
2024My Dead Friend ZoeAlexCompleted

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2006; 2010UTK; Harry2 episodes
2011Danni LowinskiRasoulTelevision film
2012Freestyle Love SupremeUTKTelevision film
2013–2017Rishi Lahiri10 episodes
2013China, ILAladdinVoice, episode: "Wild Hogs"
2016JayVoice, episode: "Much Apu About Something"
Pizza3 episodes
2017White FamousMalcolm10 episodes
HimselfDocumentary television film
2018Master ControllEpisode: "Big Poppy"
BartlettSanjay Kahn4 episodes
2018–2020BrockmireRaj5 episodes
Harvey Street Kids Fredo, Teen Boy, Tiny DuckVoice, 17 episodes
2020Mira, Royal DetectiveChikku, Male Judge, Train Engineer, Engineer, Passenger, UncleVoice, main role
Central ParkSongwriter: "The Park Is Mine" (with Rafael Casal)[25]
2021-2023Never Have I EverMr. Manish KulkarniRecurring (season 2-4)
BlindspottingNiles Turner 2 episodes
2021Robot ChickenAang, Sora, Xenomorph Student #1Voice, episode: "May Cause Numb Butthole"
2021–presentGhostsJay ArondekarMain role[26]
2021SpecialRavi3 episodes
2022The DropoutRakesh MadhavaRecurring
2023Moon Girl and Devil DinosaurAnandVoice, recurring role
Celebrity Jeopardy!HimselfContestant
2024Avatar: The Last AirbenderKing BumiRecurring[27]

Web

YearTitleRoleNotes
2016Force Grey: Giant HuntersHitchMain role; 6 episodes[28] [29]
2017–2018Force Grey: Lost City of OmuMain role; 20 episodes[30] [31]
2023Critical Role (campaign three)Bor'Dor Dog'SonGuest role; 5 episodes[32]

Theatre

YearTitleRoleVenue
2004History of the WordAliCrossroads Theatre[33] [34]
2005The Me Nobody KnowsPerformerStaged Reading, Vineyard Theatre[35]
The Snow QueenKayUrban Stages[36] [37]
2007History of the WordAliWashington Irving High School
LaGuardia Performing Arts Center 		[38] [39] [40]
2008Rafta, Rafta...Etash TailorAcorn Theater/The New Group, Off-Broadway [41] [42]
Animals Out of PaperSureshMcGinn/Cazale Theatre, Off-Broadway [43] [44]
2009Dov and AliAliCherry Lane Theatre, Off-Broadway [45] [46]
2010The Elaborate Entrance of Chad DeityVigneshwar Paduar Second Stage Theatre, Off-Broadway[47]
2012Modern Terrorism, or They Who Want to Kill
Us and How We Learn to Love Them		RahimSecond Stage Theatre, Off-Broadway [48] [49] [50]
2013HamiltonAaron BurrVassar College, Workshop[51]
2019Freestyle Love SupremeHimselfGreenwich House Theater, Off-Broadway[52] [53] [54]
2019–20Booth Theatre, Broadway[55] [56]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Meet 'Ghosts' Star Utkarsh Ambudkar and His Cute Little Family. Allison. Degrushe. Distractify. 7 October 2021. 2023-09-27. 2023-04-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20230425011805/https://www.distractify.com/p/utkarsh-ambudkar-wife. live.
  2. Web site: Instagram . 2021-02-27 . 2023-04-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230425012231/https://www.instagram.com/p/B_TO4Ldnxw5/ . live .
  3. Web site: Let's Talk About Me, Baby with Utkarsh Ambudkar. Webgum. December 17, 2018. December 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181218011007/https://headgum.com/lets-talk-about-me-baby. dead.
  4. Web site: Cartwright . Jamie . 2024-02-24 . Utkarsh Ambudkar shines in diverse roles across Hollywood and music . 2024-03-04 . Malang Post News . en-US.
  5. Web site: 2017-10-17 . Utkarsh Ambudkar . 2024-07-31 . Stella Adler Studio of Acting . en-US.
  6. News: Utkarsh Ambudkar Finally Gets His Broadway Shot in 'Freestyle Love Supreme'. Caramanica. Jon. 2019-09-26. The New York Times. 2019-10-04. subscription. 2019-10-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20191001164200/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/theater/utkarsh-ambudkar-freestyle-love-supreme.html. live.
  7. News: Marks . Peter . How chill can Broadway get? Lin-Manuel Miranda and company throw down some 'Freestyle Love' to find out. . . September 26, 2019 . January 16, 2020 . October 3, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191003122804/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/how-chill-can-broadway-get-lin-manuel-miranda-and-company-throw-down-some-freestyle-love-to-find-out/2019/09/25/053c439c-ddfc-11e9-be96-6adb81821e90_story.html . live .
  8. News: Williams . Elizabeth . A Comedy That'll Slay You . The Washington Post . November 16, 2000 . January 16, 2020 . August 31, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200831165505/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/11/16/a-comedy-thatll-slay-you/6b6634f7-0f7b-45dd-b5e9-15f4eb45d9a4/ . live .
  9. News: Wilcher . Joel . An 'Anything' With Everything . The Washington Post . March 29, 2001 . January 16, 2020 . August 31, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200831165715/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2001/03/29/an-anything-with-everything/891313d9-ae63-40ed-9c31-e6b4ab16af1d/ . live .
  10. News: Mathai . Kamini . Utkarsh Ambudkar, rapper who stole the show at Oscars, has a Chennai connection. February 14, 2020 . May 28, 2022 . . . en.
  11. Web site: Peitzman. Louis. "Pitch Perfect" Breakout Utkarsh Ambudkar Takes On "The Mindy Project". BuzzFeed. 7 May 2017. 8 January 2013. 21 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170721115041/https://www.buzzfeed.com/louispeitzman/pitch-perfect-breakout-utkarsh-ambudkar-takes-on. live.
  12. Web site: Utkarsh Ambudkar To Star In Fox Comedy 'Eat Pray Thug' Inspired By Rapper Heems. Andreeva, Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. 28 September 2015. 17 April 2020. 21 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191121201850/https://deadline.com/2015/09/utkarsh-ambudkar-star-heems-eat-pray-thug-fox-comedy-1201555481/. live.
  13. Web site: Heems' TV Show Is Not Happening. Pitchfork. 20 October 2016. 2019-10-04. 2020-01-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20200128083226/https://pitchfork.com/news/69154-heems-tv-show-is-not-happening/. live.
  14. Web site: N'Duka . Amanda . November 22, 2017 . Jillian Bell To Star In 'Brittany Runs A Marathon'; Michaela Watkins, Utkarsh Ambudkar & Lil Rel Howery Also Cast . April 23, 2018 . Deadline Hollywood . April 22, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180422110458/http://deadline.com/2017/11/jillian-bell-brittany-runs-a-marathon-michaela-watkins-utkarsh-ambudkar-lil-rel-howery-cast-1202204952/ . live .
  15. News: Disney Casts 'Mulan' Love Interest (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. Rebecca. Ford. 6 June 2018. 2019-10-04. 2018-06-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20180606230631/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mulan-disney-casts-yoson-an-as-love-interest-live-action-movie-1116949. live.
  16. News: Ryan Reynolds strikes a pose with 'Free Guy' cast as filming ramps up in Boston. Lillian. Brown. May 15, 2019. The Boston Globe. 2023-09-27. 2023-04-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20230428154651/https://www.boston.com/culture/celebs/2019/05/15/ryan-reynolds-free-guy/. live.
  17. Production Has Begun on New Disney+ Movie "Godmothered. January 30, 2019. Disney. September 28, 2023. September 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230928041846/https://press.disneyplus.com/news/godmothered-starts-production. live.
  18. Web site: Utkarsh Ambudkar To Star Opposite Rose McIver In CBS Comedy Pilot 'Ghosts'. Deadline Hollywood. Nellie. Andreeva. July 1, 2020. October 28, 2021. May 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210527110812/https://deadline.com/2020/07/utkarsh-ambudkar-rose-mciver-cbs-comedy-pilot-ghosts-1202974936/. live.
  19. News: Lin-Manuel Miranda on bringing Freestyle Love Supreme to TV. Entertainment Weekly. Esther. Zuckerman. October 17, 2014. 2023-09-27. 2023-05-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20230527083521/https://ew.com/article/2014/10/17/lin-manuel-miranda-freestyle-love-supreme/. live.
  20. News: Lin-Manuel Miranda's Freestyle Love Supreme Coming to Broadway. Peikert. Mark. 2019-06-18. Playbill. 2019-10-04. 2019-09-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20190924011310/http://www.playbill.com/article/lin-manuel-mirandas-freestyle-love-supreme-coming-to-broadway. live.
  21. Somewhere Out There . May 18, 2023 . Critical Role . May 18, 2023 . 3 . 59 . May 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230519070908/https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1823703983 . live.
  22. Web site: 'Ghosts' Star Utkarsh Ambudkar on His Path from Rapper to a TV Series Lead & and the Big Opportunity That Got Away. 4 June 2023. 5 June 2023. 5 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230605195212/https://deadline.com/2023/06/ghosts-utkarsh-ambudkar-interview-worlds-best-1235398432/. live.
  23. Web site: 'World's Best' Star Utkarsh Ambudkar on His Tanking Wizards & Resurgent Orioles Rich Eisen Show . June 30, 2023 . 2023-09-27 . . en . 2023-07-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704004826/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-b8w6iMLY4 . live .
  24. Web site: Members Only EP by UTK the INC . Bandcamp.
  25. News: Central Park Is Here to Give You New Music by Sara Bareilles, Darren Criss and Many More. Chris. Harnick. E! News. May 29, 2020. June 6, 2020. June 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200606223229/https://www.eonline.com/news/1157064/central-park-is-here-to-give-you-new-music-by-sara-bareilles-darren-criss-and-many-more. live.
  26. News: 'Ghosts' Comedy Starring Rose McIver & Utkarsh Ambudkar Picked Up To Series By CBS. Nellie. Andreeva. 31 March 2021. Deadline Hollywood. 2 April 2021. mdy-all. 19 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519160606/https://deadline.com/2021/03/ghosts-comedy-rose-mciver-utkarsh-ambudkar-series-cbs-1234725817/. live.
  27. Netflix's 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' Taps Utkarsh Ambudkar As King Bumi (EXCLUSIVE). July 25, 2022. Knight Edge Media. July 27, 2022. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727032015/https://knightedgemedia.com/2022/07/avatar-the-last-airbender-taps-utkarsh-ambudkar-exclusive/. live.
  28. Web site: Force Grey: Giant Hunters . Dungeons & Dragons Wizards . Greg . Tito . July 11, 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170404230006/https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/force-grey-giant-hunters . April 4, 2017 . 2021-07-06.
  29. Web site: 2016-07-07 . Meet D&D's Force Grey: Giant Hunters in this exclusive trailer . 2023-05-19 . The A.V. Club . en.
  30. Web site: July 25, 2017 . Force Grey: Lost City of Omu . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171119041626/https://dnd.wizards.com/forcegrey/lostcityomu . November 19, 2017 . 2021-07-07 . Dungeons & Dragons.
  31. Web site: 2022-09-01 . 10 Most Underrated D&D Actual-Play Streams . 2023-05-19 . CBR . en . 2023-05-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230519204045/https://www.cbr.com/dnd-actual-play-underrated-streams/ . live .
  32. Web site: McCauley . Tara . May 19, 2023 . Critical Role Shocks Fans With a Major Bait-And-Switch . May 19, 2023 . . en . May 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230519221301/https://www.cbr.com/critical-role-emily-axford-aimee-carrero-utkarsh-ambudkar/ . live .
  33. Web site: Jones. Kenneth. Hip-Hop History of the Word Speaks Its Mind Oct. 16–24 at Crossroads Theatre Co. in NJ. Playbill. November 22, 2015. October 16, 2004. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064502/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/hip-hop-history-of-the-word-speaks-its-mind-oct.-16-24-at-crossroads-theatr-122534. live.
  34. News: Daniels. Robert L.. Review: 'History of the Word'. Variety. November 22, 2015. October 21, 2004. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304220511/http://variety.com/2004/legit/reviews/history-of-the-word-1200530046/. live.
  35. Web site: Simonson. Robert. Scott Schwartz to Direct New Reading of Musical The Me Nobody Knows. Playbill. November 22, 2015. January 20, 2005. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072634/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/scott-schwartz-to-direct-new-reading-of-musical-the-me-nobody-knows-123549. live.
  36. News: Graeber. Laurel. Ice, Ice Baby: Urban Twists on an Old-Fashioned Tale. The New York Times. November 22, 2015. December 30, 2005. November 5, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151105072532/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/30/arts/ice-ice-baby-urban-twists-on-an-oldfashioned-tale.html. live.
  37. Web site: The Snow Queen. urbanStages. November 22, 2015. September 12, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150912061629/http://urbanstages.org/snow-queen/. live.
  38. Web site: Pincus-Roth. Zachary. Vineyard and Queens Theatre's History of the Word Begins Feb. 27. Playbill. November 22, 2015. February 27, 2007. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045905/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/vineyard-and-queens-theatres-history-of-the-word-begins-feb.-27-138814. live.
  39. Web site: Allen. Kerri. History of the Word. Backstage. November 22, 2015. March 6, 2007.
  40. Web site: Cooper. Amanda. A CurtainUp Review: History of the Word. CurtainUp. November 22, 2015. Especially charming is Utkarsh Ambudkar as the ROTC-bound Ali, whose stage presence and timing are undeniably spot-on.. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061731/http://www.curtainup.com/historyoftheword.html. live.
  41. Web site: The New Group Presents 'Rafta, Rafta' Opening Tonight!. BroadwayWorld. November 22, 2015. May 8, 2008. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304134325/http://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/The-New-Group-Presents-Rafta-Rafta-Opening-Tonight-20080508. live.
  42. News: Brantley. Ben. No Sex, Please, We're British Indians. The New York Times. November 22, 2015. May 9, 2008. September 25, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150925014342/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/09/theater/reviews/09raft.html. live.
  43. Web site: Animals Out of Paper Production Information. BroadwayWorld. November 22, 2015. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304135824/http://www.broadwayworld.com/shows/backstage.php?showid=329456#content. live.
  44. Web site: Gates. Anita. Works Well With Paper, Has Trouble With Life. The New York Times. November 22, 2015. August 5, 2008. November 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151103212721/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/05/theater/reviews/05anim.html. live.
  45. Web site: Playwrights Realm's DOV AND ALI Runs Thru 6/27. BroadwayWorld. November 22, 2015. June 16, 2009. July 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220717051757/https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Playwrights-Realms-DOV-AND-ALI-Runs-Thru-627-20090616. live.
  46. Web site: Jaworowski. Ken. A Jew and a Muslim, Firing Words After School. The New York Times. November 22, 2015. June 12, 2009. August 27, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150827084601/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/13/theater/reviews/13dov.html. live.
  47. Web site: The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity Off-Broadway Cast. BroadwayWorld. November 22, 2015. October 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231018061053/https://www.broadwayworld.com/shows/The-Elaborate-Entrance-of-Chad-Deity-329781/cast#content. live.
  48. Web site: Hetrick. Adam. Jon Kern's Modern Terrorism, With Utkarsh Ambudkar and Steven Boyer, Premieres at Second Stage Sept. 21. Playbill. November 22, 2015. September 21, 2012.
  49. Web site: Stasio. Marilyn. Review: 'Modern Terrorism, or They Who Want to Kill Us and How We Learn to Love Them'. Variety. November 22, 2015. October 18, 2012. March 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305054955/http://variety.com/2012/legit/reviews/modern-terrorism-or-they-who-want-to-kill-us-and-how-we-learn-to-love-them-1117948598/. live.
  50. Web site: Isherwood. Charles. Funny, but Plotting Havoc Isn't Easy, 'Modern Terrorism,' by Jon Kern, at the Second Stage Theater. The New York Times. November 22, 2015. October 18, 2012. September 29, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180929042832/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/19/theater/reviews/modern-terrorism-by-jon-kern-at-the-second-stage-theater.html. live.
  51. News: Who Is Utkarsh Ambudkar, the Guy Who Just Freestyle Rap Recapped the Oscars?. Tim. Baysinger. February 9, 2020. TheWrap. 2023-09-27. mdy-all.
  52. News: Paulson . Michael . Lin-Manuel Miranda Puts Freestyle Love Supreme Back Onstage . May 5, 2019 . The New York Times . October 29, 2018 . May 5, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190505163705/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/29/theater/lin-manuel-miranda-freestyle-love-supreme.html . live .
  53. Web site: Freestyle Love Supreme . Playbill . May 5, 2019 . May 5, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190505140436/http://www.playbill.com/production/freestyle-love-supreme-greenwich-house-theater-2018-2019 . live .
  54. News: Green . Jesse . Review: At 'Freestyle Love Supreme,' Attention Must Be Paid. Really. . May 5, 2019 . The New York Times . February 12, 2019 . April 12, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190412204359/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/theater/freestyle-love-supreme-review.html . live .
  55. Web site: Freestyle Love Supreme . Playbill . November 7, 2019 . November 7, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191107094825/http://www.playbill.com/production/freestyle-love-supremebooth-theatre . live .
  56. Web site: Clement . Olivia . Freestyle Love Supreme Extends on Broadway . Playbill . November 7, 2019 . November 5, 2019 . November 6, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191106192513/http://www.playbill.com/article/freestyle-love-supreme-extends-on-broadway . live .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Utkarsh Ambudkar".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.