If you don't 
recognize Maulik Pancholy, you really need to explore some higher-quality television programs. The adorably deadpan actor stars in two of the hottest shows in primetime—NBC’s 30 Rock and Showtime’s Weeds— and has won over the masses with this pair of nuanced roles. As Jonathan, assistant to Alec Baldwin’s Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock, he takes the concept of “hyperprecise right-hand man” to new heights. Meanwhile, he brings brilliant timing and endearing awkwardness to the role of gay pot dealer Sanjay on Weeds. All the while, he provides the voice of Baljeet on the Disney animated show Phineas and Ferb, and can be seen in four new indie films —Tug, Raspberry Magic, Love Ranch and Good Sharma.
“I definitely can get anxious and obsessive-compulsive, like Jonathan,” says Pancholy of his 30 Rock role. “And with Sanjay, he started out nerdy and insecure, and I can completely relate to that…. I was such a goody-goody in high school.” Luckily for him, nerdiness and OCD are in high demand onscreen, and no one can conjure them better for the camera than he can.
“Somehow I got really lucky and have only worked on smart, award-winning shows,” he says. “The standard has now been set for the kind of work I’d like to do. I’ve gotten spoiled!” We beg to differ: They’ve been spoiled by getting to work with him.
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