Kayvan Novak is a British actor and comedian of Iranian descent, best known for playing the oblivious vampire Nandor the Relentless in the comedy series What We Do in the Shadows. Before achieving international fame, Novak built a reputation through inventive character comedy and prank phone calls on BBC Radio 1. His career reflects a steady rise from niche radio work to starring roles in film and television, while his personal life remains largely out of the spotlight.
Novak was born in London, England, to Iranian parents and grew up speaking Persian at home. He trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and entered the industry in the early 2000s. Over two decades, he has amassed credits that range from satirical comedies to animated series, earning a BAFTA Award along the way. Today, he is recognised as one of Britain’s most versatile character actors.
Given the public curiosity around his background, this article consolidates verified information about his wife, ethnicity, age, height, career milestones, and personal life. Where details remain unconfirmed or inconsistent across sources, that is clearly noted.
Who is Kayvan Novak Married to? – His Wife and Personal Life
British actor and comedian, best known as Nandor in What We Do in the Shadows.
Married to Talitha Stone, has one son, of Iranian descent, height approximately 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in), born in 1978.
What We Do in the Shadows (2019–2024), Fonejacker, Facejacker, Four Lions, Syriana, Archer.
Character comedy, satirical impersonations, voice work, and crossover appeal from radio to television.
- Kayvan Novak rose to prominence through voice impersonations on BBC Radio 1’s Fonejacker before landing the iconic role of Nandor in What We Do in the Shadows.
- His personal life is relatively private; he married Talitha Stone and has a young son, as confirmed on Instagram.
- Despite public curiosity, Novak has not publicly confirmed his religion, and his height is reported inconsistently across sources.
- His career has been marked by a transition from radio and voice work to mainstream television and film, breaking typecasting barriers.
- He won a BAFTA Award for Best Comedy (Programme or Series) in 2008 for Fonejacker.
- Novak speaks fluent Persian and has used the language in his acting work, including in What We Do in the Shadows.
- He has publicly expressed pride in his Iranian heritage and shared solidarity with Iran on social media.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kayvan Novak |
| Nationality | British |
| Ethnicity | Iranian descent |
| Occupation | Actor, Comedian, Voice Artist |
| Years Active | 2002–present |
| Spouse | Talitha Stone |
| Children | 1 son (as of 2025) |
| Notable Role | Nandor the Relentless in What We Do in the Shadows |
| Height | Approximately 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Age | 47 years old (born November 23, 1978) |
What is Kayvan Novak’s Ethnicity, Age, and Height?
Ethnicity and Nationality
Kayvan Novak is of Iranian descent and holds British nationality. He was born in London, England, to Iranian parents and grew up in a Persian-speaking household. He has referred to himself as Iranian and has posted about his heritage on social media. His full name in Persian is کیوان نواک.
Age and Date of Birth
Novak was born on , making him 47 years old as of 2025. This information is recorded on IMDb and Wikipedia. Some sources estimate his age broadly in his 40s, but the November 1978 date is the most specific publicly available detail.
Height
Novak’s height is reported as 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) on IMDb and Wikipedia. However, measurements vary across other sources, with some listings placing him between 5 ft 9 in and 5 ft 11 in. The 6 ft 1 in figure is the most commonly cited in authoritative databases.
Height measurements for public figures often vary depending on the source. For Kayvan Novak, reliable databases such as IMDb and Wikipedia list 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in), while other outlets give slightly different figures. Without an official public statement from Novak himself, the exact measurement cannot be confirmed with absolute certainty.
What Are Kayvan Novak’s Most Famous Movies and TV Shows?
What We Do in the Shadows (2019–2024)
Novak portrayed Nandor the Relentless, a vain and somewhat clueless vampire, in this mockumentary comedy series. The show ran for six seasons on FX and made Novak a household name internationally. His performance included occasional dialogue in Persian, notably in Season 2, Episode 2 (“Ghosts”).
Fonejacker (2006–2008) and Facejacker (2010–2012)
Novak co-created and starred in Fonejacker, a BAFTA-winning comedy series built around prank phone calls and character voices. The show originally aired on BBC Radio 1 before moving to television. Facejacker followed as a television spin-off, bringing the same characters into face-to-face scenarios. Wikipedia – Kayvan Novak documents both series in detail.
Four Lions (2010)
Novak played Waj in this satirical film about a group of inept terrorists. His performance earned the Best Comedy Performance in a British Film award at the 2010 British Comedy Awards.
Syriana (2005)
Before his comedy breakthrough, Novak appeared as an intelligence officer in the Academy Award-winning political thriller Syriana, directed by Stephen Gaghan.
Archer (2021–2023)
Novak voiced Fabian Kingsworth in the animated series Archer, contributing to the show’s later seasons. His voice work here extended a pattern of character-based roles that began with Fonejacker.
Other Notable Credits
Additional television appearances include Big School, 4 O’Clock Club, and guest roles in various British comedies. A full filmography is available on IMDb – Kayvan Novak.
Novak’s career trajectory illustrates a shift from niche radio comedy to broad streaming audience appeal. His role in What We Do in the Shadows allowed him to subvert typecasting as a Middle Eastern actor by playing a fictional vampire of Eastern European origin, showcasing his comedic timing and range.
What Is Kayvan Novak’s Background and Early Career?
Early Life and Education
Novak grew up in London in a Persian-speaking household and later attended Highgate School, the Fine Arts College, and the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. His fluency in Persian became a distinctive asset in his acting work. He attended Highgate School and the Fine Arts College before pursuing formal drama training.
Early Career (2002–2006)
He began acting in 2002 with early roles in television and radio. The breakthrough came with Fonejacker on BBC Radio 1, where his impersonations and character voices attracted a wide audience. The show’s television adaptation followed, earning a BAFTA Award in 2008.
Details about Novak’s early life beyond his London upbringing, Iranian heritage, and educational institutions are sparse in publicly available sources. No comprehensive biography covering his childhood or pre-fame years has been published, and what is known comes primarily from interviews and database entries.
From Radio to Mainstream Television
After Fonejacker and Facejacker, Novak moved into film and television comedy, appearing in projects such as Four Lions and What We Do in the Shadows. Instagram @kayvan_novak offers occasional personal updates, including posts about fatherhood and political views, but he maintains a relatively low public profile compared to many of his peers.
What Is the Timeline of Kayvan Novak’s Career?
- 2002 – Began acting career, early roles in television and radio.
- 2005 – Appeared as an intelligence officer in Syriana.
- 2006–2008 – Created and starred in Fonejacker on BBC Radio 1 and later its television adaptation; won a BAFTA Award for Best Comedy in 2008.
- 2010 – Played Waj in Four Lions, winning Best Comedy Performance in a British Film at the British Comedy Awards.
- 2010–2012 – Starred in Facejacker, the television spin-off of his prank-call characters.
- 2019–2024 – Portrayed Nandor the Relentless in What We Do in the Shadows, gaining international recognition.
- 2021–2023 – Voiced Fabian Kingsworth in the animated series Archer.
- 2024 – Became a father to a son, announced on Instagram in 2025.
- 2025 – Appeared on the Adam Buxton Podcast discussing typecasting and career transitions.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Kayvan Novak?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Full name, nationality, occupation, years active, spouse name, role in What We Do in the Shadows, and that he has a son. | Exact date of birth is known but some sources give only a broad range; height varies from 5 ft 9 in to 6 ft 1 in across sources. |
| He is of Iranian descent, born in London, and speaks fluent Persian. | Religion: no public confirmation; speculation based on Iranian heritage is not reliable. |
| He won a BAFTA for Fonejacker and a British Comedy Award for Four Lions. | Age is sometimes estimated in the late 30s to 40s, but his birth date of November 23, 1978, is recorded on IMDb and Wikipedia. |
| He is married to Talitha Stone, an actress and skincare entrepreneur. | Early life details beyond being of Iranian descent and attending specific schools are sparse. |
Claims about Novak’s religion are unsubstantiated; he has not discussed it publicly. There is no evidence that he changed his name; ‘Novak’ is his family name.
What Is the Significance of Kayvan Novak’s Career?
Kayvan Novak’s career trajectory illustrates the shift from niche radio comedy to broad streaming audience appeal. His role in What We Do in the Shadows not only showcased his comedic timing but also allowed him to subvert typecasting as a Middle Eastern actor by playing a fictional vampire of Eastern European origin.
With a relatively low public profile, Novak leverages social media for personal statements, as seen in his posts about fatherhood and geopolitical issues. Competitor content gaps indicate an opportunity for a consolidated, authoritative biography that clarifies personal details and contextualises his achievements, especially for new fans discovering him through the show. Yakety Yak Artist Booking lists his professional representation and provides a summary of his career.
What Do Official Sources Say About Kayvan Novak?
“This is my son. He just turned 1. From the time of his conception until now Israel has massacred and continues to massacre THOUSANDS of Palestinian children.”
— Instagram @kayvan_novak (accessed 2025)
“Kayvan Novak is a British actor and comedian of Iranian descent, best known for playing the clueless vampire Nandor the Relentless in What We Do in the Shadows.”
— IMDb biography
“Spouse: Talitha Stone”
— Wikipedia
“Adam talks with British actor and comedian Kayvan Novak about how he made the transition from being a jobbing actor dealing with his share of typecasting.”
— Adam Buxton Podcast show notes
What Is the Key Takeaway About Kayvan Novak?
Kayvan Novak is a British actor and comedian of Iranian descent who rose from radio prank calls to international fame as Nandor in What We Do in the Shadows. He is married to Talitha Stone and has a son. While certain personal details such as his exact height and religion remain unconfirmed or inconsistently reported, his career achievements—including a BAFTA Award and a British Comedy Award—are well documented. He continues to be a distinctive voice in British comedy, with a trajectory that reflects both the challenges and opportunities of navigating typecasting in the entertainment industry. For a parallel career in character comedy, see Harry Enfield – Biography, Iconic Characters, and TV Shows.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kayvan Novak
Is Kayvan Novak religious?
Kayvan Novak has not publicly discussed his religious beliefs. Speculation based on his Iranian heritage is not confirmed.
What is Kayvan Novak’s nationality?
He is British.
What was Kayvan Novak’s early career like?
He started in 2002, gained fame through prank call character comedy on Fonejacker on BBC Radio 1, then transitioned to television and film.
Does Kayvan Novak have children?
Yes, he has one son, born in 2024, as confirmed on his Instagram account.
What is Kayvan Novak’s height?
Most authoritative sources list his height as 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m), though other sources give varying measurements.
What awards has Kayvan Novak won?
He won a BAFTA Award for Best Comedy in 2008 for Fonejacker and a British Comedy Award for Best Comedy Performance in a British Film for Four Lions in 2010.
Who is Kayvan Novak’s wife?
He is married to Talitha Stone, an actress and skincare entrepreneur. Details about her background are not publicly documented.
Does Kayvan Novak speak Persian?
Yes, he speaks fluent Persian and has used the language in What We Do in the Shadows Season 2, Episode 2.
What is Kayvan Novak’s most famous role?
He is best known for playing Nandor the Relentless in the FX comedy series What We Do in the Shadows.
Where was Kayvan Novak born?
He was born in London, England, to Iranian parents.
Amelia Foster is Business & Economy Correspondent at TheUKDaily.uk, covering the UK economy, markets, employment, household costs and consumer finance.