Padma Lakshmi
Host • Model • Writer • Activist • Actress
Birth Name: Padma Parvati Lakshmi
Birth Date: September 1, 1970
Age: 54 years old
Birth Place: Madras, India
Spouses: Salman Rushdie
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).
Credits
America's Culinary Cup
Executive Producer
Reality
2025
America's Culinary Cup
Host
Reality
2025
Elmo's Wonderful World: Elmo Loves To Giggle
Actor
Show
2025
Top Chef
Host
Show
2024
Who's Talking to Chris Wallace?Stream
Guest
Talk
2022
FirebudsStream
Actor
Chef Pavani
Series
2022
Sherri
Guest
Talk
2022
Access Daily With Mario & Kit
Guest
Show
2022
Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
Self
Show
2022
The Good Dish
Guest
Series
2022
See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special
Guest
Show
2021
Last Meals
Self
Show
2021
Top Chef Family StyleStream
Guest
Reality
2021
Snacked
Self
Show
2021
Women in Entertainment: The Next Generation
Guest
Show
2021
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Actor
Special
2020
The Drew Barrymore ShowStream
Guest
Talk
2020
Selena + ChefStream
Self
Reality
2020
Taste the Nation With Padma LakshmiStream
Executive Producer
Series
2020
Taste the Nation With Padma LakshmiStream
Host
Series
2020
Top Chef from Bravo
Actor
Show
2020
A Little Late With Lilly Singh
Guest
Talk
2019
Access Daily
Guest
Talk
2019
Tamron HallStream
Guest
Talk
2019
Today With Hoda & Jenna
Guest
Show
2019
Today 3rd Hour
Guest
Show
2018
Busy Tonight
Guest
Talk
2018
Padma's Late Night Bites
Host
Show
2018
The Burger Show
Guest
Show
2018
American Mirror: Intimations of Immortality
Self
Movie
2018
Access Live
Guest
Show
2017
Complex X Fuse
Actor
Show
2017
Drop the MicStream
Contestant
Reality
2017
STEVE on Watch
Guest
Talk
2017
Live with Kelly and Ryan
Guest
Talk
2017
Match GameStream
Guest
Game Show
2016
Celebrity PageStream
Guest
News
2016
Lidia Celebrates America: Home for the Holidays
Guest
Show
2016
Hollywood Medium With Tyler HenryStream
Guest Star
Reality
2016
The Daily Show with Trevor NoahStream
Guest
Talk
2015
Life in PiecesStream
Guest Star
Stephanie
Series
2015
FABLife
Host
Talk
2015
The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream
Guest
Talk
2015
The Late Late Show With James Corden
Guest
Talk
2015
Hot OnesStream
Guest
Reality
2015
The Meredith Vieira Show
Guest
Talk
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream
Guest
Talk
2014
A Toast to 2013!
Guest
Show
2013
The Queen Latifah Show
Guest
Talk
2013
Whose Line Is It Anyway?Stream
Guest
Series
2013
Hollywood Game Night
Guest
Game Show
2013
Top Chef: Seattle
Host
Show
2012
Katie
Guest
Talk
2012
Anderson Live
Host
Show
2012
Lidia Celebrates AmericaStream
Guest
Series
2011
Top Chef: Texas
Host
Show
2011
Top Chef: Texas
Judge
Show
2011
The Chew
Guest
Talk
2011
Anderson
Guest
Show
2011
The Talk
Guest
Talk
2010
Lopez Tonight
Guest
Show
2009
The Dr. Oz Show
Guest
Talk
2009
Combat de chefs 6
Host
Show
2009
Watch What Happens Live With Andy CohenStream
Guest
Talk
2009
Royal PainsStream
Guest Star
Padma Lakshmi
Series
2009
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
Guest
Talk
2009
The Wendy Williams ShowStream
Guest
Talk
2008
Masterpiece Classic
Guest Star
Show
2008
Chelsea Lately
Guest
Talk
2007
The Better Show
Guest
Show
2007
The Morning Show With Mike & Juliet
Guest
Show
2007
30 RockStream
Guest Star
Padma Lakshmi
Series
2006
The Ten Commandments
Actor
Princess Bithia
Show
2006
Top ChefStream
Executive Producer
Reality
2006
Top ChefStream
Host
Reality
2006
Top ChefStream
Judge
Reality
2006
The Ten CommandmentsStream
Actor
Princess Bithia
Miniseries
2006
Sharpe's Challenge
Actor
Madhuvanthi
Movie
2006
The Mistress of Spices
Actor
Geeta
Movie
2005
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Guest
Talk
2003
Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream
Guest
Talk
2003
Boom
Actor
Shiela Bardez
Movie
2003
Last Call With Carson Daly
Guest
Talk
2002
Star Trek: EnterpriseStream
Guest Star
Kaitaama
Series
2001
Planet Food
Actor
Show
2001
Live With Regis and Kelly
Guest
Show
2001
Glitter
Actor
Sylk
Movie
2001
Melting Pot
Host
Show
2000
Family Guy
Guest Voice
Herself
Show
1999
Family GuyStream
Guest Voice
Herself
Series
1999
Caraibi
Actor
Malinche
Show
1999
Piratas del Caribe con la Muerte
Actor
Malinche
Movie
1999
Die Piraten der Karibik 4 - Das Geheimnis der Kaziken
Actor
Malinche
Movie
1998
Die Piraten der Karibik 3 - Corneros Rache
Actor
Malinche
Movie
1998
Die Piraten der Karibik 2 - Mit dem Tod im Bunde
Actor
Malinche
Movie
1998
Die Piraten der Karibik 1 - Ausgestoßen und Gejagt
Actor
Malinche
Movie
1998
The View
Guest
Talk
1997
Extra
Guest
News
1994
Globe Trekker
Host
Show
1994
Late Show With David Letterman
Guest
Talk
1993
SharpeStream
Actor
Madhuvanthi
Series
1993
Wall Street Journal Report With Maria Bartiromo
Guest
Show
1992
The Oprah Winfrey Show
Guest
Talk
1986
NightlineStream
Guest
News
1980
CBS News Sunday Morning
Guest
News
1979
Good Morning America
Guest
News
1975
Sesame StreetStream
Guest
Series
1969
TodayStream
Guest
News
1952
Photos
News aboutPadma Lakshmi
10 Sizzling ‘Top Chef’ Stats: Most Wins, Most Frequent Judge, Most Cash Won & More
Q&A
‘Top Chef’ Host Kristen Kish on What She Learned From Padma Lakshmi & Season 22 in Canada
‘Top Chef’ Champ Kristen Kish to Replace Padma Lakshmi as Host
Padma Lakshmi Bids Emotional Farewell to ‘Top Chef’
Padma Lakshmi Leaving ‘Top Chef’ After 17 Years
Preview
‘Top Chef’: Padma Lakshmi Teases the London-Inspired Challenges of ‘World All-Stars’
7 Thanksgiving Recipes From Fan-Favorite TV Chefs and Foodies
‘Top Chef’ Season 20 to Film in London for World All-Stars Edition
‘Top Chef’ & ‘Drag Race’ Lead Critics Choice Real TV Awards: Complete List of Winners
Q&A
‘Top Chef’ Season 19 Winner Buddha Lo Hopes to Change the Food Industry
Preview
Food Lovers’ Double Feature: Hulu’s ‘The Next Thing You Eat’ & ‘Taste the Nation’
Bravo’s ‘Top Chef’ Season 18 Gets New Location (Portland), Premiere Date & Cast
Valerie Bertinelli & Top TV Chefs Share Their Favorite Summer Dishes
Best Lines of the Week (June 19-25): ‘I’m Coming for Him’
Q&A
‘Taste the Nation’ Takes Padma Lakshmi on a Meaningful, Mouthwatering Journey
Hulu Announces Amy Schumer & Padma Lakshmi Series, Mahershala Ali Joins ‘Ramy’
‘Top Chef’ Host Padma Lakshmi Knows Her Holiday Treats (PHOTOS)
5 Reasons to Devour ‘Top Chef’ Season 15
‘Top Chef’ Heads to Colorado for Season 15 (VIDEO)
‘Top Chef’ Host Padma Lakshmi Dishes on Former Cheftestants Returning for Season 14
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