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Kayvan NovakBritish actor, voice actor and comedian
Date of Birth: 23.11.1978
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Career Beginnings
- Breakthrough with "Fonejacker"
- Success on Television
- Rise to Fame with "What We Do in the Shadows"
- Film and Other Ventures
- Personal Life
- Novak stands at an impressive 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall.
Early Life and Education
Kayvan Novak was born under the Sagittarius zodiac sign on November 23, 1978, in London, England. His parents, both of Persian descent, emigrated to the United Kingdom seeking a better life. Raised in an affluent family with strong Islamic traditions, Novak was a charismatic and entertaining child who loved making people laugh. Inspired by popular 1980s shows such as "The A-Team" and "CHiPs," he aspired to become an actor.
Despite his parents' efforts to provide him with a top-notch education at Highgate School, Novak struggled academically and was even expelled at one point. However, his parents eventually found a way to connect with the troubled teenager. He managed to finish school and went on to attend the Hampstead School of Art before completing his higher education at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, where alumni included Matthew Goode and Natalie Dormer.
Career Beginnings
Novak's career as a graduate of a prestigious drama school began in his early years, but his path to stardom was far from smooth. His distinctive physical appearance relegated him to stereotypical Middle Eastern roles in films and television shows. His comedic talents were largely overlooked as directors cast him as pimps and terrorists.
Novak's feature film debut came in 2005 with Stephen Gaghan's political thriller "Syriana," where he portrayed an intelligence officer named Araz alongside Hollywood heavyweights George Clooney and Matt Damon. Despite its critical success and Clooney's subsequent Oscar and Golden Globe wins, Novak's role had little impact on his career. In fact, he continued to be cast in minor and often negative parts.
Breakthrough with "Fonejacker"
Undeterred, Novak's comedic potential refused to be stifled. A prank-call enthusiast, he dialed up a television studio pretending to be "American Beauty" and "K-PAX" star Kevin Spacey. His prank was met with such amusement that he was offered his own prank-calling show, "Fonejacker." The pilot aired as part of Channel 4's "Comedy Lab," and it became an instant hit.
"Fonejacker" allowed Novak to break free from his typecasting and showcase his remarkable comedic skills to a wider audience. The show's success opened doors for the actor. In 2010, he landed the role of Waj in Christopher Morris' satirical comedy "Four Lions," which earned him his first award—the British Comedy Award.
Success on Television
On television, Novak found equal success. He was finally offered a lead role in the medical drama "Sirens," portraying a paramedic alongside Richard Madden (the future Robb Stark in "Game of Thrones"). Despite its promising premise, the show failed to gain traction and was canceled after its first season.
However, Novak's fans of the teen drama "Skins" will remember him for his portrayal of Jake Abbasi, Effy Stonem's (Kaya Scodelario) loveable boss. His appearances in the show demonstrated his versatility and talent for playing dramatic roles.
Rise to Fame with "What We Do in the Shadows"
Novak's career reached new heights with his starring role in the horror-comedy series "What We Do in the Shadows," a spin-off from the eponymous 2014 film by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. He played the part of Nandor the Relentless, a former Ottoman warrior who has adjusted to modern life as a vampire. Novak shared the screen with Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, and Mark Proksch.
The edgy and laugh-out-loud sitcom became a critical and commercial success. Guest stars like Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, and Tilda Swinton added to its eclectic appeal. Russian viewers particularly praised the voice dubbing by the "Cube in Cube" studio, where actors Ruslan Gabidullin and Olga Kravtsova captured the unique nuances of Novak's performance as Nandor.
Film and Other Ventures
In 2019, Novak added "Men in Black: International," a spin-off to the "Men in Black" film franchise, to his filmography. He shared the screen with Chris Hemsworth, Liam Neeson, and Emma Thompson, but even their star power couldn't save the film from being met with lukewarm reviews.
In 2021, Novak was cast in "Cruella," a prequel to Dodie Smith's "101 Dalmatians." He played Roger, a lawyer who becomes embroiled in the protagonist's twisted revenge scheme against Emma Stone's Cruella De Vil. The film received generally positive reviews and grossed over $233 million worldwide.
Beyond acting, Novak has provided voiceovers for video games, collaborated on the song "Flick of the Finger" by the British band Beady Eye, and launched his own podcast, "All New Fonejacker Podcast."
Personal Life
Novak is happily married to fellow actor T'Nia Miller, whom he met on the set of the TV show "Sirens." The couple dated for several years before tying the knot. Miller is best known for her role in the soap opera "Emmerdale." Novak often shares candid family photos on his Instagram account, where he interacts with his followers and offers a glimpse into his personal life.
Novak stands at an impressive 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall.
Recent Projects2022 saw Novak continuing to juggle numerous projects. He appeared in an episode of the comedy series "Toast of Tinseltown," starring and written by his "What We Do in the Shadows" co-star Matt Berry. Additionally, he voiced Arslan in the animated series "Human Resources," which premiered on Netflix in March. And of course, he returned to his iconic role as Nandor the Relentless in the highly anticipated fourth season of "What We Do in the Shadows."
