Shelly Desai, Character Actor on ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ and ‘Men of a Certain Age,’ Dies at 90
Shelly Desai, a character actor whose work spanned generations of television and film, died Feb. 10 in Los Angeles. He was 90.
His family announced the death but did not disclose a cause.
Desai built a decades-long career appearing in dozens of shows and movies, earning recognition for recurring roles on FX’s “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and TNT’s “Men of a Certain Age.”
Born Dec. 3, 1935, in Bombay, Desai arrived in the United States during the 1960s intending to pursue graduate studies in engineering. That plan shifted when he found his way to acting. He performed on Chicago stages before moving to New York and eventually settling in Los Angeles.
By the early 1970s, Desai had broken into professional theater, working both Off Broadway and on Broadway. He appeared in “Gandhi,” a 1970 Broadway production directed by José Quintero that became infamous for closing after a single performance. He returned to Broadway in 1981 for “A Talent for Murder,” performing alongside Claudette Colbert and Nancy Addison.
His screen career began with a small part in Brian De Palma’s 1974 rock musical “Phantom of the Paradise.” From there, Desai became a fixture on television, racking up guest appearances on shows across multiple eras including “St. Elsewhere,” “Hill Street Blues,” “The A-Team,” “Moonlighting,” “thirtysomething,” “ER,” “Friends,” “NYPD Blue,” “Ugly Betty,” “Baskets” and “History of the World: Part II.”
He lent his voice to the animated series “Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?” and appeared in several episodes of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Science-fiction enthusiasts might recall his role on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” where he played V’Sal, a blue-skinned Bolian barber, in a 1991 episode titled “Data’s Day.”
Desai gained wider visibility playing Carlos in 14 episodes of “Men of a Certain Age” from 2009 to 2011. He also became known for portraying Hwang, the tough landlord on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” frequently sparring with characters played by Charlie Day and Danny DeVito.
His film work included parts in “Thelma & Louise,” “Toys,” “Clifford,” “A Midnight Clear” and “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.” Desai remained active in his later years, filming commercials shortly before his death.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; stepdaughters April and Dawn; and grandchildren Sean, Sofia and Dylan.
His family announced the death but did not disclose a cause.
Desai built a decades-long career appearing in dozens of shows and movies, earning recognition for recurring roles on FX’s “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and TNT’s “Men of a Certain Age.”
Born Dec. 3, 1935, in Bombay, Desai arrived in the United States during the 1960s intending to pursue graduate studies in engineering. That plan shifted when he found his way to acting. He performed on Chicago stages before moving to New York and eventually settling in Los Angeles.
By the early 1970s, Desai had broken into professional theater, working both Off Broadway and on Broadway. He appeared in “Gandhi,” a 1970 Broadway production directed by José Quintero that became infamous for closing after a single performance. He returned to Broadway in 1981 for “A Talent for Murder,” performing alongside Claudette Colbert and Nancy Addison.
His screen career began with a small part in Brian De Palma’s 1974 rock musical “Phantom of the Paradise.” From there, Desai became a fixture on television, racking up guest appearances on shows across multiple eras including “St. Elsewhere,” “Hill Street Blues,” “The A-Team,” “Moonlighting,” “thirtysomething,” “ER,” “Friends,” “NYPD Blue,” “Ugly Betty,” “Baskets” and “History of the World: Part II.”
He lent his voice to the animated series “Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?” and appeared in several episodes of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Science-fiction enthusiasts might recall his role on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” where he played V’Sal, a blue-skinned Bolian barber, in a 1991 episode titled “Data’s Day.”
Desai gained wider visibility playing Carlos in 14 episodes of “Men of a Certain Age” from 2009 to 2011. He also became known for portraying Hwang, the tough landlord on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” frequently sparring with characters played by Charlie Day and Danny DeVito.
His film work included parts in “Thelma & Louise,” “Toys,” “Clifford,” “A Midnight Clear” and “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.” Desai remained active in his later years, filming commercials shortly before his death.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; stepdaughters April and Dawn; and grandchildren Sean, Sofia and Dylan.