Mark StefanosKiran Deol is a standup, who also just so happens to be an Emmy-nominated documentarian, podcaster, actor, writer, director and double reed oboe player.
Born in England and raised in the paradise of Boca Raton, FL, (the Shangri-La of Palm Beach) she’s been lighting up stages and screens with her sharp humor and bold storytelling, headlining the New York Comedy Festival and delivering breakout performances, like in the Sundance 2025 zombie flick Didn’t Die, and the NBC/Hulu comedy Sunnyside.
Her acclaimed comedy special JOYSUCK on Amazon Prime showcases why her unique voice, rooted in her South Asian heritage and American upbringing, resonates with audiences worldwide.
You can catch her live at the Belly Laughs comedy festival, which is coming July 12 and 13 to LA Live and will feature a stacked lineup of Asian American comedians and a sampling of over 20 LA Asian restaurants.
Now let’s see what “the other Kiran” is all about —
LA Weekly: You’re an actor, writer, director, podcaster, documentarian, etc. etc. How do your other creative interests inform your comedy?
Kiran: Releasing my first special was so cool because I got to tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end. It’s called JOYSUCK, it’s on Amazon Prime, and I’m super proud of it. All that knowledge of how to shoot, what a cut feels like, how you want to write, tell, and perform a story comes into play. If you watch this special I will love you forever.
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Where’d you grow up?
I was born in England and grew up in South Florida, in Boca Raton. Home to Marilyn Manson, Eric Andre, and Seinfeld’s parents’ retirement home: Del Boca Vista. Where every nice Indian girl belongs.
What was your favorite job?
Manning the poetry room in this massive library during college. No one was ever in there. You just sat there, did your own work and got paid. It was incredible. I actually got kind of annoyed when people came in.
What was your first joke?
When I was a teenager I wrote this ridiculous Mary Had A Little Lamb rap in a garden. It was … high satire? It incorporated backup dancers who were supposed to sexy whisper “bah bah bah.” Still slaps.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten about comedy?
I remember Hasan Minhaj telling me “you can go onstage tonight and they’ll say the next comedian coming to the stage. It’s not medical school. You can get up right now and do it if you want to.” This was back when he was still driving a Toyota Camry.
What’s your favorite city to do comedy?
It’s a toss up! I love them ALL and they are ALL my children. But DC is incredible — so smart, so sad. They need a laugh because they are stressed AND that makes for a great comedy city. That, and when the weather is bad.
What’s your favorite open mic or indie show in LA?
I run an independent show called Peacock that started back before the NBC network Peacock. Maybe our show will outlast the streamer!? Lol. It has two great producers, Ali Hart and Becca Rufer. We have a wonderful DJ named The Lord. And a co-host, comedian Danny Jolles. I’ve developed a lot of my new material there; it’s every Thursday at 8 p.m. in Club Tee Gee in Atwater Village. It’s the best.
The Belly Laughs Festival will feature a ton of great LA Asian food — what are you looking forward to?
I had a chance to try Jilli in K-town and LOVED it. The food is fusion like me! The kimchi vodka noodles were spicy perfection and I will be stuffing my face with more of them at the festival.
What’s your favorite book?
“My Year of Rest and Relaxation” by Ottessa Moshfegh.
What’s your most unpopular opinion?
If I told you this, I’d be canceled so SHHHH!
What’s your most niche interest?
I played the oboe! It’s a double reed! Two reeds!
Who’s your nemesis?
There was a girl in college we called “perfect Kiran.” She’s a doctor now and married to an Indian. I was “the other Kiran” always doing theater and carrying toilets around campus sweating. Some things never change.
If you could play someone in a movie or show, who would you play?
Ma Anand Sheela from “Wild Wild Country.” She led the cult in that hit Netflix documentary. Love her. What a queen.
Catch Kiran Deol at the Belly Laughs comedy festival, which takes place July 12 and 13 at L.A. Live, and at her standup show Peacock every Thursday at 8 p.m. at Club Tee Gee in Atwater Village.
Kiran Deol (Birdie Thompson)