You might know Kayvan Novak as Nandor the Relentless, the vampire who takes himself very seriously in What We Do in the Shadows, but before he became a cult favorite, Novak was already a BAFTA-winning comedian thanks to his prank call show Fonejacker. This article traces his journey from London-born actor of Iranian descent to one of comedy’s most distinctive voices.
Born: 23 November 1978 ·
Age: 46 (as of 2025) ·
Birthplace: London, England ·
Known for: Nandor the Relentless in What We Do in the Shadows ·
Award: 2008 BAFTA for Best New Comedy (Fonejacker)
Quick snapshot
- Born 23 November 1978 in London (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia))
- British actor of Iranian descent (IMDb (industry movie database))
- BAFTA winner for Fonejacker (Yakety Yak (talent agency))
- Plays Nandor in What We Do in the Shadows (IMDb)
- Height — not publicly confirmed by reliable sources
- Religion — not publicly documented
- Marital status — limited public information
- Farsi proficiency — unconfirmed
- 1978 — Born in London (Wikipedia)
- 2006 — Co-created Fonejacker (Yakety Yak)
- 2008 — Won BAFTA for Best New Comedy (Yakety Yak)
- 2019 — Began playing Nandor in What We Do in the Shadows (IMDb)
- Continues as Nandor in What We Do in the Shadows (2025) (IMDb)
- Active in voice work for animated series (Telegram & Gazette (regional newspaper))
Seven biographical facts, one pattern: Kayvan Novak’s public profile is built on solid career milestones, but personal details remain sparse.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kayvan Novak |
| Birth date | 23 November 1978 |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Ethnicity | Iranian descent |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Notable work | Fonejacker, Facejacker, What We Do in the Shadows |
What is Kayvan Novak’s ethnicity?
Kayvan Novak is of Iranian descent. His father is Iranian and his mother is English, a mix that has frequently drawn public curiosity. According to IMDb (industry movie database), Novak was born to Iranian parents. Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia) lists his nationality as British and his ethnicity as Iranian. This dual heritage has shaped his career, particularly in his early prank-call work where he created characters across different nationalities and ethnicities, as noted in a 2021 podcast description (Apple Podcasts).
What is Kayvan Novak’s religion?
- No confirmed public information about his religious beliefs.
- Neither Novak nor his representatives have addressed this topic in available interviews.
The implication: in the absence of disclosure, the question remains unanswered — and it’s a gap that fans often fill with speculation.
What was Kayvan Novak’s early life like?
- Born in Cricklewood, London, according to Genius.com.in (fan biography site) (low confidence source).
- He started acting in series such as Holby City, Murphy’s Law, and Trial & Retribution before his breakthrough comedy work, as reported by The Sun (UK tabloid).
- Specific details about his childhood and education are not widely documented.
The pattern: early acting roles suggest a traditional path into television, but his comedy breakthrough came from a distinctly unconventional place — a prank call show.
Novak’s Iranian heritage is the most publicized part of his identity, yet he rarely discusses it in interviews. For fans of What We Do in the Shadows, the mystery adds to his allure.
The takeaway: his background remains a defining but underexplored aspect of his public persona.
Does Kayvan Novak speak Farsi?
No official source confirms whether Kayvan Novak speaks Farsi (Persian). Given his Iranian father, the question is natural, but neither Novak nor any authoritative biography has addressed it. Policyline.uk (secondary summary blog) speculates that his ethnicity raises the question but provides no confirmation. The lack of evidence suggests that if he does speak the language, he has not made it public.
What languages does Kayvan Novak speak?
- English (native) — all his public appearances and performances are in English.
- No other languages are documented in reliable sources.
The catch: the curiosity about his language skills reflects a broader interest in his cultural background, but without a statement from Novak, it remains an open question.
What has Kayvan Novak been in?
Novak’s filmography spans prank-call comedy, vampire farce, voice work, and dramatic roles. He co-created and starred in Fonejacker (2006–2008), which won a BAFTA for Best New Comedy in 2008, according to Yakety Yak (talent agency). The spin-off Facejacker (2010–2012) followed. His most recognized role is Nandor the Relentless in What We Do in the Shadows (2019–present), as listed on IMDb. He also appeared in the film The Man Who Knew Infinity and voiced characters in Danger Mouse and Thunderbirds Are Go, as reported by Telegram & Gazette (regional newspaper).
What are Kayvan Novak’s most famous roles?
- Nandor the Relentless in What We Do in the Shadows (FX series)
- Various characters in Fonejacker (E4)
- Various characters in Facejacker (E4)
What movies and TV shows has Kayvan Novak been in?
- What We Do in the Shadows (2019–present)
- Fonejacker (2006–2008)
- Facejacker (2010–2012)
- The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015)
- Danger Mouse (voice, 2015–2019)
- Thunderbirds Are Go (voice, 2015–2020)
- Early roles in Holby City, Murphy’s Law, Trial & Retribution
Why this matters: Novak’s career arc from a prank-call show to a critically acclaimed vampire comedy demonstrates a rare versatility — and a willingness to take risks that few comedians attempt.
How tall is Nandor from What We Do in the Shadows?
The exact height of the character Nandor is never specified in the series. However, Kayvan Novak’s own height is listed as 6’1″ (1.85 m) on IMDb (industry movie database) — though the source notes this is not fully confirmed. Given that the character is portrayed by Novak, Nandor would likely share that height on screen, but the show itself does not state it.
How tall is Kayvan Novak?
- IMDb lists 6’1″ (1.85 m) — medium confidence, as it’s user-contributed data.
- No other reliable source provides a verified height.
The trade-off: fans may want a definitive answer, but the lack of an official measurement means the published figure should be treated as approximate.
If you’re trying to guess Nandor’s height on screen, Novak’s own stature is your best clue — but the show’s costuming and camera angles could easily add or subtract a few inches.
In short: assume 6’1″ but don’t bet on it.
Who is Kayvan Novak’s wife?
Kayvan Novak keeps his personal life extremely private. There is no confirmed public information about a wife or partner. Wikipedia lists Talitha Stone as his spouse, and IMDb also notes Talitha Stone as a spouse — but both sources are marked with medium confidence, and neither Novak nor Stone have publicly confirmed the relationship. No photos, interviews, or official statements corroborate the listing.
Is Kayvan Novak married?
- IMDb and Wikipedia list Talitha Stone as spouse (medium confidence).
- No independent confirmation from Novak or his representatives.
- The information is not repeated in any authoritative biography or interview.
The pattern: when a celebrity avoids publicizing their relationship, the data that does appear online is often unreliable. In this case, the absence of a definitive public statement means the marriage status is unconfirmed.
“Kayvan Novak is a British actor and comedian born in London, England, on 23 November 1978.”Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia)
“Novak is of Iranian descent and was born to Iranian parents.”IMDb (industry movie database)
“Fonejacker is a BAFTA-winning comedy show created by Novak.”Yakety Yak (talent agency)
“Novak co-created Fonejacker and the spin-off Facejacker, and also had voice-work credits including Danger Mouse and Thunderbirds Are Go.”Telegram & Gazette (regional newspaper)
Kayvan Novak has built a career on bold comic choices, from anonymous prank calls to a deadpan vampire. But the gaps in his public biography — height, marriage, language — remain stubbornly empty. For fans who want to know the man behind Nandor, the available data is a mix of verified milestones and unverified rumors. The implication is clear: the actor has chosen to let his work speak for itself, leaving personal details to the realm of speculation. For anyone writing his biography, the safest approach is to stick to what is confirmed: his birth date, his BAFTA, and his unforgettable role as a vampire who really, really wants to conquer the New World.
imdb.com, tvtropes.org, krapopolis.fandom.com, simple.wikipedia.org, genius.com.in
Frequently asked questions
What awards has Kayvan Novak won?
He won the BAFTA for Best New Comedy in 2008 for Fonejacker.
Is Kayvan Novak related to B.J. Novak?
No, they are not related. B.J. Novak is an American actor and writer known for The Office.
What is Kayvan Novak’s real name?
Kayvan Novak is his real name; he has not used a stage name.
How did Kayvan Novak get into comedy?
He started with acting roles in TV dramas before co-creating the prank-call show Fonejacker for E4.
What other shows has Kayvan Novak voiced?
He voiced characters in Danger Mouse, Thunderbirds Are Go, and The Amazing World of Gumball.
Where was Kayvan Novak born?
He was born in London, England, specifically in the Cricklewood area.
How old is Kayvan Novak?
He was born on 23 November 1978, making him 46 years old as of 2025.
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Oliver Jack Carter Cooper is a staff writer for EveningLedger.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Edward Langley and Managing Editor Charlotte Reeves, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.