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Padma Lakshmi

Highest Rated: 11% The Mistress of Spices (2005)

Lowest Rated: 6% Glitter (2001)

Birthday: Sep 1, 1970

Birthplace: Madras, India

Padma Lakshmi was a successful model before gaining fame as the host of the cooking competition show "Top Chef" (Bravo, 2006- ). She was born in India, but moved with her mother and step-father to the United States when she was young. As a Los Angeles teenager, she was in a serious car accident that left her right arm scarred. After earning a theater degree, she was discovered in Madrid, Spain and began modeling. She also began acting periodically, appearing on Italian television and in the Mariah Carey film "Glitter" (2001). She had the chance to join sci-fi lore with a small role in "Star Trek: Enterprise" (UPN, 2001-05). In her birth country, she played a supermodel in "Boom" (2003) and played an Indian-American in "The Mistress of Spices" (2005). Having previously hosted cooking shows in Italy and on American cable's Food Network, her fortunes changed for the better when she was selected to become the host of "Top Chef" in the show's second season, taking over for Katie Lee. The show, featuring culinary experts including Emeril Lagasse, Anthony Bourdain, and Wolfgang Puck, as judges became an international phenomenon. Lakshmi eventually became one of the show's producers beginning in 2010. She also used the exposure to publish multiple cookbooks. Beyond cooking, she was also a contributor to the daytime talk show "The View" (ABC, 1997- ) and made occasional appearances on TV shows like "Royal Pains" (USA Network, 2009-16).

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Highest rated movies

11% 42% The Mistress of Spices
Watchlist
6% 48% Glitter Watchlist
22% Boom
Watchlist
70% Sharpe's Challenge
Watchlist
The Ten Commandments
Watchlist

Filmography

Movies

Credit
No Score Yet 70% Sharpe's Challenge Madhuvanthi (Character) - 2006
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Ten Commandments Princess Bithia (Character) - 2006
11% 42% The Mistress of Spices Geeta (Character) - 2005
No Score Yet 22% Boom Shiela Bardez (Character) - 2003
6% 48% Glitter Sylk (Character) $4.3M 2001

TV

Credit
No Score Yet 40% Firebuds Chef Pavani (Character) 2023
No Score Yet No Score Yet Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen Guest 2012-2013 2015-2021 2023
No Score Yet No Score Yet Who's Talking to Chris Wallace? Guest 2023
No Score Yet No Score Yet Top Chef Judge,
Executive Producer,
Host
2006-2023
No Score Yet No Score Yet Taste the Nation With Padma Lakshmi Executive Producer,
Host
2020-2021 2023
No Score Yet 42% Jimmy Kimmel Live! Guest 2023
No Score Yet 44% The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Guest 2014 2016 2023
No Score Yet No Score Yet Whose Line Is It Anyway? Guest 2014 2022
No Score Yet 36% The Good Dish Guest 2022
No Score Yet 80% Top Chef Family Style Guest 2021
No Score Yet 11% The View Guest 2015-2016 2021
No Score Yet 93% Selena + Chef Self 2021
No Score Yet 28% The Drew Barrymore Show Guest 2021
No Score Yet 48% The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Guest 2016 2021
82% 16% A Little Late With Lilly Singh Guest 2021
No Score Yet No Score Yet Match Game Guest 2020
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Daily Show Guest 2019
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Ellen DeGeneres Show Guest 2013-2014 2016-2018
No Score Yet 51% Busy Tonight Guest 2018
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Wendy Williams Show Guest 2012 2018
No Score Yet No Score Yet Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry Unknown (Guest Star) 2018
No Score Yet No Score Yet Last Call With Carson Daly Guest 2018
No Score Yet 18% The Late Late Show With James Corden Guest 2018
No Score Yet No Score Yet Sesame Street Guest 2018
No Score Yet No Score Yet Drop the Mic Contestant 2017
No Score Yet 84% Life in Pieces Stephanie (Guest Star) 2017
No Score Yet No Score Yet Hot Ones Guest 2017
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Chew Guest 2014 2016
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Dr. Oz Show Guest 2016
No Score Yet No Score Yet FABLife Host 2016
No Score Yet No Score Yet Lidia Celebrates America Guest 2015
94% 78% Royal Pains Padma Lakshmi (Guest Star) 2014
No Score Yet No Score Yet Hollywood Game Night Guest 2014
No Score Yet No Score Yet Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Guest 2009 2012-2013
No Score Yet 64% Family Guy Herself (Guest Voice) 2013
No Score Yet No Score Yet Lopez Tonight Guest 2011
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Talk Guest 2011
No Score Yet No Score Yet Masterpiece Classic Unknown (Guest Star) 2010
78% 92% 30 Rock Padma Lakshmi (Guest Star) 2009
56% 79% Star Trek: Enterprise Kaitaama (Guest Star) 2002
No Score Yet No Score Yet Melting Pot Host 2001-2002