Mindy Kaling has officially signed on to co-write 'Legally Blonde 3.' Here's a look at how the actress, comedian, and writer built her career in Hollywood over 2 decades.

Taylor BordenMay 22, 2020, 01:08 IST

Mindy Kaling arrives at the Oscars on Feb. 9, 2020 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California,Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Beloved actress and comedian Mindy Kaling just signed on to co-write the long-awaited Legally Blonde 3 starring Reese Witherspoon.
Since "The Office," Kaling has been busy acting, producing, and writing for television shows like "The Mindy Project" and Netflix's new "Never Have I Ever."
She's released two autobiographical books — "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" in 2011 and "Why Not Me?" in 2015 — and has a third in the works with Amazon Publishing.
In 2017 alone, she pulled in $13 million through acting, writing, and producing projects, according to Forbes.
In her personal time, she maintains a close friendship with Oprah and owns a part of a Premier League soccer team. She also bought Frank Sinatra's former Malibu beach house in March.

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Beloved comedian, actress, writer, and producer Mindy Kaling just signed on to co-write Legally Blonde 3, the long-awaited movie starring Reese Witherspoon. It's just the latest development in Kaling's career.

Mindy Kaling and Reese Witherspoon pose for photographers at the premiere of the film "A Wrinkle In Time" in London in 2018. Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP Images

Beloved comedian, actress, writer, and producer Mindy Kaling just signed on to co-write Legally Blonde 3, the long-awaited movie starring Reese Witherspoon. It's just the latest development in Kaling's career.

Kaling, the daughter of Indian immigrants, grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts and attended Dartmouth College. While in college, Kaling interned on Conan O'Brien's talk show.

Dartmouth College, where Kaling sang in an a cappella group and wrote plays. Dan Lewis/Shutterstock

Kaling, the daughter of Indian immigrants, grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts and attended Dartmouth College. While in college, Kaling interned on Conan O'Brien's talk show.

She wrote a comedic play that debuted at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2002. The play's success landed Kaling her staff writing gig on the first season of "The Office." She was 24 at the time.

Mindy Kaling and the cast of "The Office" in 2007. Gus Ruelas/AP Images

She wrote a comedic play that debuted at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2002. The play's success landed Kaling her staff writing gig on the first season of "The Office." She was 24 at the time.

"I was the youngest and I had no TV experience ... I was very demure," Kaling has said of the first season of writing on the show. She went on to direct and produce episodes of the hit show until 2013.

Mindy Kaling in 2011. Matt Sayles/AP Images

"I was the youngest and I had no TV experience ... I was very demure," Kaling has said of the first season of writing on the show. She went on to direct and produce episodes of the hit show until 2013.

She has previously spoken about facing adversity as the only woman of color on the creative team. After the show was nominated for an Emmy, Kaling said the Academy tried to cut her from the list of producers and asked for her to share her direct contributions.

Mindy Kaling Getty

She has previously spoken about facing adversity as the only woman of color on the creative team. After the show was nominated for an Emmy, Kaling said the Academy tried to cut her from the list of producers and asked for her to share her direct contributions.

Kaling and the other producers fought to make sure she remained credited. The Academy said she was not singled out but later changed the policy of asking for proof of contribution.

Mindy Kaling and part of the cast of "The Office" at the 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on August 27, 2006 Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Kaling and the other producers fought to make sure she remained credited. The Academy said she was not singled out but later changed the policy of asking for proof of contribution.

Following her departure from "The Office," Kaling went on to write, produce, and star in "The Mindy Project," a sitcom that featured her as an OB/GYN. The character was inspired by her mother. It ran from 2012-2017, first on Fox, and then on Hulu.

Kaling in "The Mindy Project" in 2016. Hulu

Following her departure from "The Office," Kaling went on to write, produce, and star in "The Mindy Project," a sitcom that featured her as an OB/GYN. The character was inspired by her mother. It ran from 2012-2017, first on Fox, and then on Hulu.

In 2016, Kaling was pulling in an estimated $140,000 per episode for starring in Hulu's version of "The Mindy Project." Forbes estimated she earned $13 million through multiple acting, writing, and producing ventures in 2017 alone.

Kaling in "The Mindy Project." Hulu

In 2016, Kaling was pulling in an estimated $140,000 per episode for starring in Hulu's version of "The Mindy Project." Forbes estimated she earned $13 million through multiple acting, writing, and producing ventures in 2017 alone.

Kaling has also written two books — "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" in 2011 and "Why Not Me?" in 2015. Both were New York Times best-sellers but details regarding the book deals or royalties are unknown.

Mindy Kaling discussing her new book at Book Con in 2015. AP Images

Kaling has also written two books — "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" in 2011 and "Why Not Me?" in 2015. Both were New York Times best-sellers but details regarding the book deals or royalties are unknown.

She has lent her voice to animated films, including "Wreck-It Ralph" and "Inside Out." In 2018, she also starred in Disney's "A Wrinkle in Time" and in "Ocean's 8," the star-studded, all-female version of "Ocean's Eleven."

The cast of "Ocean's 8" starring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Paulson, and more. Barry Wetcher/Warner Bros.

She has lent her voice to animated films, including "Wreck-It Ralph" and "Inside Out." In 2018, she also starred in Disney's "A Wrinkle in Time" and in "Ocean's 8," the star-studded, all-female version of "Ocean's Eleven."

In 2019, Kaling wrote, produced, and starred in the movie "Late Night," where Emma Thompson played a late-night talk show host. Amazon bought the film for $13 million.

Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling posing on a hotel balcony in London in May 2019 while promoting their film, "Late Night." Matt Dunham/AP Photo

Kaling's new Netflix series, "Never Have I Ever," is a comedy about the life of an Indian-American teenager. It's not her first streaming show — she also co-created an adaption of the iconic romantic comedy "Four Weddings and a Funeral" for Hulu.

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Jaren Lewison in Mindy Kaling's "Never Have I Ever." Netflix

Kaling's new Netflix series, "Never Have I Ever," is a comedy about the life of an Indian-American teenager. It's not her first streaming show — she also co-created an adaption of the iconic romantic comedy "Four Weddings and a Funeral" for Hulu.

"Four Weddings and a Funeral," which was reimagined as a series and not a movie, centered on a group of Americans living in London.

Promotional poster for Hulu's "Four Weddings and a Funeral." Hulu

Cast member Nikesh Patel told EW that Kaling would rewrite jokes on the fly on set. Brandon Mychal Smyth, also an actor on the show, said she was "smart," "organized," and had a "very queen-like presence."

Brandon Mychal Smith, who called Kaling "queen-like," and Nathalie Emmanuel, two of the leads in "Four Weddings and a Funeral." Hulu

Cast member Nikesh Patel told EW that Kaling would rewrite jokes on the fly on set. Brandon Mychal Smyth, also an actor on the show, said she was "smart," "organized," and had a "very queen-like presence."

Kaling is also set to publish a collection of essays this year with Amazon about work-life balance as a single mother. She had a baby girl in December 2017.

Kaling with BJ Novak, the godfather of her child. She has not publicly named the father. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Kaling's production company, Kaling International, left Universal Television after more than a decade in 2019. She inked a deal with Warner Bros. Television instead, which could earn her more than $8 million a year, according to Variety.

Mindy Kaling arrives at the Oscars on Feb. 9, 2020 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California, Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Kaling's production company, Kaling International, left Universal Television after more than a decade in 2019. She inked a deal with Warner Bros. Television instead, which could earn her more than $8 million a year, according to Variety.

Earlier this year, she bought Frank Sinatra's former beach house for $9.95 million, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The seven-bedroom home was listed for $11.5 million but Kaling snapped it up for $9.55. Mike Helfrich

Kaling owns shares in Swansea City, a Welsh professional soccer club in the Premier League. She said she was inspired by her good friend Oprah to invest in things she believes in.

Mindy Kaling and Oprah Winfrey pose for a photo in 2018 while promoting their film "A Wrinkle Time." Rebecca Cabage/Invision/AP

Kaling owns shares in Swansea City, a Welsh professional soccer club in the Premier League. She said she was inspired by her good friend Oprah to invest in things she believes in.

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Mindy Kaling has officially signed on to co-write 'Legally Blonde 3.' Here's a look at how the actress, comedian, and writer built her career in Hollywood over 2 decades.

Beloved comedian, actress, writer, and producer Mindy Kaling just signed on to co-write Legally Blonde 3, the long-awaited movie starring Reese Witherspoon. It's just the latest development in Kaling's career.

Kaling, the daughter of Indian immigrants, grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts and attended Dartmouth College. While in college, Kaling interned on Conan O'Brien's talk show.

She wrote a comedic play that debuted at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2002. The play's success landed Kaling her staff writing gig on the first season of "The Office." She was 24 at the time.

"I was the youngest and I had no TV experience ... I was very demure," Kaling has said of the first season of writing on the show. She went on to direct and produce episodes of the hit show until 2013.

She has previously spoken about facing adversity as the only woman of color on the creative team. After the show was nominated for an Emmy, Kaling said the Academy tried to cut her from the list of producers and asked for her to share her direct contributions.

Kaling and the other producers fought to make sure she remained credited. The Academy said she was not singled out but later changed the policy of asking for proof of contribution.

Following her departure from "The Office," Kaling went on to write, produce, and star in "The Mindy Project," a sitcom that featured her as an OB/GYN. The character was inspired by her mother. It ran from 2012-2017, first on Fox, and then on Hulu.

In 2016, Kaling was pulling in an estimated $140,000 per episode for starring in Hulu's version of "The Mindy Project." Forbes estimated she earned $13 million through multiple acting, writing, and producing ventures in 2017 alone.

Kaling has also written two books — "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" in 2011 and "Why Not Me?" in 2015. Both were New York Times best-sellers but details regarding the book deals or royalties are unknown.

She has lent her voice to animated films, including "Wreck-It Ralph" and "Inside Out." In 2018, she also starred in Disney's "A Wrinkle in Time" and in "Ocean's 8," the star-studded, all-female version of "Ocean's Eleven."

In 2019, Kaling wrote, produced, and starred in the movie "Late Night," where Emma Thompson played a late-night talk show host. Amazon bought the film for $13 million.

Kaling's new Netflix series, "Never Have I Ever," is a comedy about the life of an Indian-American teenager. It's not her first streaming show — she also co-created an adaption of the iconic romantic comedy "Four Weddings and a Funeral" for Hulu.

"Four Weddings and a Funeral," which was reimagined as a series and not a movie, centered on a group of Americans living in London.

Cast member Nikesh Patel told EW that Kaling would rewrite jokes on the fly on set. Brandon Mychal Smyth, also an actor on the show, said she was "smart," "organized," and had a "very queen-like presence."

Kaling is also set to publish a collection of essays this year with Amazon about work-life balance as a single mother. She had a baby girl in December 2017.

Kaling's production company, Kaling International, left Universal Television after more than a decade in 2019. She inked a deal with Warner Bros. Television instead, which could earn her more than $8 million a year, according to Variety.

Earlier this year, she bought Frank Sinatra's former beach house for $9.95 million, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Kaling owns shares in Swansea City, a Welsh professional soccer club in the Premier League. She said she was inspired by her good friend Oprah to invest in things she believes in.