Shelly Desai, Character Actor on TV Shows, Dies at 90

The Indian-born actor appeared in numerous TV series and films over his decades-long career.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Shelly Desai, a prolific character actor known for his roles on shows like "Men of a Certain Age" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia", has died at the age of 90 in Los Angeles. Desai had a long career in television, film, and theater, appearing in everything from "ER" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation" to "Escape From L.A." and "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2".

Why it matters

Desai's passing marks the end of an era for character actors who built successful careers through memorable supporting roles across film and television. His versatility and longevity in the industry is a testament to his talent and dedication.

The details

Desai, who was born in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1935, appeared in numerous off-Broadway productions and had roles on Broadway as well. On television, he had recurring parts on shows like "Men of a Certain Age" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia", playing supporting characters that added depth and humor to the shows. In film, Desai had roles in a wide range of movies, from classics like "Thelma & Louise" to comedies like "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2".

  • Shelly Desai died on Tuesday, February 14, 2026 in Los Angeles.
  • Desai was born on December 3, 1935 in Bombay, India.

The players

Shelly Desai

An Indian-born character actor who had a prolific career in television, film, and theater over several decades.

Ray Romano

The lead actor on the TNT drama "Men of a Certain Age", in which Desai had a recurring role.

Charlie Day

The actor who played Charlie on the FX series "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia", where Desai had a recurring role as the landlord Hwang.

Danny DeVito

Desai's co-star on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia", playing the character of Frank.

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What they’re saying

“Shelly Desai was a talented and versatile actor who brought depth and humor to every role he played. He will be deeply missed.”

— Family Spokesperson

The takeaway

Shelly Desai's passing marks the end of an era for character actors who built successful careers through memorable supporting roles across film and television. His long and varied body of work is a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft.