Saamer Usmani has become a global sensation as Prithviraj Varma in Netflix’s “3 Body Problem.” His path to Hollywood stardom started long before this breakthrough role. Pakistan-born Usmani moved to the United States at 13, taking an unconventional route to success. His acting career launched in 2012, and he has built an impressive portfolio of 23 film and television credits. Viewers recognize him from popular shows like “Succession,” “Reign,” and “Inventing Anna.”
The sort of thing I love about Usmani’s performances is how his roles showcase his rich international background. His life across Nigeria, Singapore, the UK, and the US has without doubt influenced his versatile acting approach. His personal life has flourished alongside his professional achievements. He married actress Tedra Millan in 2022, and they welcomed their first child in 2023. This multilingual actor’s story continues to unfold, and his estimated net worth of $1.5-2 million reflects his growing influence in Hollywood.
Early Life and Global Upbringing
Saamer Usmani was born in Pakistan on October 21, 1989, and his life took him around the world. His childhood was anything but ordinary, as his family moved between Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Slovakia, and many other countries.
“I grew up all over the place,” Usmani shared in an interview. “I’m from Pakistan, but we lived in six different countries”. This life on the move exposed him to a variety of traditions and points of view that shaped his acting style.
Life changed dramatically for Usmani at age 13 when he moved to the United States. Massachusetts’s prestigious Groton School became his new home. His teenage years weren’t spent in theater – sports became his “performance outlet” during this time.
Canada beckoned next as Usmani started his college years. The University of Toronto became his academic home at 18, where he studied sociology, anthropology, and political science. We noticed his interest in acting spark again when he took some theater classes alongside his main studies.
Two years into his university education, Usmani made a choice that changed everything. He left his studies unfinished to take a role in his first play. This bold step marked the start of his acting career.
His next stop was the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, where many acclaimed performers learned their craft. The technical training he received there complemented his natural understanding of different cultures.
Usmani’s worldwide upbringing became his greatest asset. His ease with different cultures and environments helped him portray characters of all backgrounds in his later work.
From Stage to Screen: Saamer Usmani’s Career Journey
Saamer Usmani’s theater background is the foundation of his acting career. He made a bold choice to leave university for his first play, and theater became his main way to express himself. His training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art gave him classical techniques that made his screen performances stand out later.
Usmani started his screen career in 2012 with his acting debut. He built his filmography carefully over the next decade and took on roles that showed how versatile he could be. His knowledge of multiple languages and global view helped him play characters from different cultural backgrounds authentically.
His big break on TV came with his role in the historical drama “Reign,” where he showed he could bring period characters to life. This chance led to bigger productions, and he landed roles in critically acclaimed series like HBO’s “Succession.” His work in “Succession” proved he could handle complex character dynamics among prestigious ensemble casts.
One of his most memorable roles was Chase in Netflix’s “Inventing Anna,” which added another layer to his acting skills. Each new role helped grow his artistic range and made him more visible in the industry.
Usmani hit a new career high when he played Prithviraj Varma in Netflix’s science fiction drama “3 Body Problem.” This complex character in a high-profile adaptation showed his growing influence in Hollywood productions.
Away from the camera, Usmani’s personal life has grown along with his career success. He married fellow actress Tedra Millan in 2022, creating a partnership between two theater talents. His career has brought financial success too, with his net worth estimated between $1.5-2 million.
From stage to screen, Usmani has kept his theater roots while taking on bigger film and TV projects. His story shows how classical training and a global outlook can create a unique acting presence in today’s entertainment world.
Personal Life and Off-Screen Identity
Saamer Usmani’s love story adds another dimension to his rising Hollywood career. He met actress Tedra Millan in 2013 at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Their relationship grew stronger over a decade before they decided to get married.
The couple chose the Boathouse in Prospect Park, Brooklyn for their wedding ceremony in May 2022. Their celebration was extra special because it brought together Usmani’s Pakistani heritage and Millan’s Jewish traditions. The next year brought even more joy when they welcomed their first child, a son.
Tedra Millan has built an impressive career as an American actress. She made her mark on Broadway as Daphne Stillington in “Present Laughter.” Her role in “The Wolves” at Playwrights Realm & Lincoln Center earned her both Drama Desk and Obie Awards. She took a creative leap in 2024 and directed her first short film “We Can Voyage There.”
Usmani shared an interesting detail about his name – it’s actually pronounced “Am-Aer” with a specific tone that many non-South Asians struggle with. So he’s learned to accept different ways people say his name.
His mixed cultural background has shaped his view on representation in Western cinema by a lot. “In Western cinema, it seemed the archetype that broke through was the nerdy comedic Indian guy,” he said in an interview. “It always seemed like the brown guy was never allowed to be hot or the stud in the room.”
The couple now leads a quiet family life in 2025 while pursuing their entertainment careers. Their story shows how beautifully different cultures can blend when partners embrace each other’s backgrounds and traditions.
Conclusion
Saamer Usmani’s multicultural experience has shaped his acting technique and career choices deeply. Moving between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and many more countries before his teens enriched his artistic abilities naturally. His diverse background helps him portray characters with cultural nuances that Hollywood rarely sees.
The path from theater student to Netflix star wasn’t typical. Each role built on the previous one and showcased his growing range. From early stage work to “Reign,” “Succession,” “Inventing Anna,” and “3 Body Problem,” his talent evolved steadily. His personal life blossomed with his career success, especially when he married fellow actor Tedra Millan and welcomed their child.
Usmani’s story stands out because he has subtly challenged South Asian actor stereotypes in Western media. These roles used to fall into predictable patterns. His performances break through these limits effectively. His estimated $1.5-2 million net worth shows both financial success and the industry’s recognition of his talent.
Today, Usmani has 23 film and television credits, a flourishing family life, and roles that keep getting bigger. His unconventional background has become his biggest asset. The journey from Pakistan to Hollywood stardom might seem unexpected, but it makes perfect sense given his classical training and global view.
FAQs
Q1. What is Saamer Usmani’s background and early life? Saamer Usmani was born in Pakistan in 1989 and had a unique global upbringing. He lived in multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and Slovakia, before moving to the United States at age 13. He attended Groton School in Massachusetts and later studied at the University of Toronto.
Q2. How did Saamer Usmani start his acting career? Usmani began his acting journey by leaving university after two years to appear in his first play. He then trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, which provided him with a strong foundation in theatrical techniques. His screen acting debut came in 2012, marking the beginning of his transition from stage to screen.
Q3. What are some of Saamer Usmani’s notable roles? Usmani has appeared in several popular TV shows, including “Reign,” “Succession,” and “Inventing Anna.” His recent breakthrough role was as Prithviraj Varma in Netflix’s “3 Body Problem,” which has significantly increased his visibility in Hollywood.
Q4. How has Saamer Usmani’s multicultural background influenced his acting? Usmani’s diverse cultural experiences have greatly shaped his acting style and ability to portray characters from various backgrounds authentically. His multilingual skills and global perspective have allowed him to bring unique depth and nuance to his roles, setting him apart in the industry.
Q5. What is Saamer Usmani’s personal life like? Saamer Usmani is married to actress Tedra Millan, whom he met while studying at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. They tied the knot in May 2022 in a ceremony that honored both his Pakistani heritage and her Jewish traditions. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, in 2023.
