Mahadeo Shivraj was born and raised in Georgetown, Guyana, South America. As a kid growing up he knew he wanted to be an actor. In 1987, he began his acting career at the National Cultural Center in Georgetown and to date has acted in more than 90 plays and directed more than 30 in Guyana and New York together. He migrated to the United States in the nineties to continue his acting career. Since then, he has acted in more than a dozen films and television shows. In 2010, he made his debut as a film director/producer with the movie "Till I Find a Place" which was filmed entirely in Guyana and received rave reviews. He subsequently produced, directed, and starred in four more films, "A Jasmine for a Gardener", "Brown Sugar Too Bitter for me", "83 Million Gees" and "Forgotten Promise", all of which received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. He most recently played the role of DR. RAMUSAMI opposite Aziz Ansari in an episode of the New NETFLIX - "Aziz Ansari Untitled Project" and just before that he played the role of JAVID in an episode of "The Americans" with lead actress, Keri Russell. He played CABBIE in a scene with Neal Patrick Harris in "The Smurfs". He played a BELLBOY in the movie "Three Backyards" with Elias Koteas and Edie Falco of The Sopranos and Nurse Betty. He also acted as the HOT-DOG VENDOR in two scenes in an episode of "30 Rock" with lead actress Tina Fey.Awards * He was awarded THE GOLDEN ARROWHEAD OF DISTINCTION SERVICE AND HUMANITARIAN on Guyana's 46th Independence Anniversary. * Won the BEST SET AWARD for the play LUV which he also directed in 1989. * Won the BEST ACTOR AWARD at the National Drama Festival (Guyana) for his performance in the play -WATCH DE RIDE 2 - JUSTICE in 2013 * Won the BEST ACTOR AWARD at the National Drama Festival (Guyana) for his performance in the play -83 MILLION GEES in 2012 * Has received many more awards, recognition and citations for his dedication and outstanding work in the arts. * On the screening of his movie "Brown Sugar too bitter for me" in Schenectady, the Mayor passed an OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION naming 30th November 2014 as "Mahadeo Shivraj Day" in Schenectady. A RESOLUTION was also passed unanimously in his honor by the City Council, City of Schenectady and he was also recognized by the Schenectady County Legislature. This is a first for a Guyanese. Show less «