Sheetal Sheth Listen/ˈʃiːθəlˈʃɛθ/ is an American actress and producer. She starred opposite Albert Brooks in his film Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World. She debuted to rave reviews in the films ABCD and American Chai, and has appeared in the cult films I Can't Think Straight and The World Unseen. Sheth has been selected to represent such brands as CHI haircare and Reebok. She was also the first Indian American to appear in Maxim magazine.

Biography

Although her parents were devout Jains and active in the local Jain community, they enrolled Sheth in the local Catholic school because of its focus on academics and reputation for toughness. Sheth attended Catholic school until age 12, when her family moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Sheth attended Liberty High School (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania), where she was very involved in school organizations and student government, serving on the student advisory board. She received the Student Government Award for her contribution to the school, and was one of two students invited to speak at her commencement. While in high school, Sheth discovered her passion for acting and was determined to master the craft through study and performance. After considering a variety of undergraduate programs, Sheth auditioned and was accepted to the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.

At Tisch Sheth studied the classics - some of her favorite works included Antigone and The Crucible. She also trained extensively at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in the technique known as "The Method". She spent a summer abroad in Amsterdam as part of the intensive International Theatre Workshop, studying under such respected acting teachers as Kristin Linklater. Sheth excelled and earned the honor of being selected to participate in the Tisch Scholar's Program. After graduating from Tisch with honors Sheth continued her studies even as she built a successful career. In New York she studied with Wynn Handman, one of the founders of The American Place Theatre. In Los Angeles she attended weekly invitation-only classes with renowned acting instructor Milton Katselas until his death in 2008.

Sheth is heavily involved in community outreach and causes that are important to her. She takes an active interest in politics, she's served in AmeriCorps, she participates in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles as a Big Sister, and she supports and promotes organizations such as Women's Voices Now which encourage communities that are under-represented in American media to make their voices heard. She also regularly speaks on panels and forums internationally.

Sheth is married to husband Neil Mody and has one daughter.