Actress Devika Parikh is perhaps best known for her recurring role as Bonnie in the NBC political drama series The West Wing (1999 to 2003) or her current role as Melanie Pierce on OWN Network’s new family drama The Kings of Napa, but did you know she was raised in Gaithersburg?
Parikh was born in Massachusetts, but moved to Gaithersburg with her family in her younger years. She is of Indian and African American origin, born to an East Indian father (from Bombay, India) and an African-American mother. She attended and graduated from Seneca Valley High School where she was the school’s first African-American Homecoming Queen and was voted “Best Personality” and “Most School Spirited.”
After high school she went on to Syracuse University, where she received a degree in broadcast journalism before working in television, advertisements, film, voice work and theatre. She has had recurring roles on television shows such as NBC’s drama series The West Wing; Fox’s series 24; and Showtime drama series Resurrection Blvd. She has guest-starred on Criminal Minds, That’s So Raven, The Parkers, Bones, Shameless and Grey’s Anatomy.
Her new series in Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network, The Kings of Napa, follows wealthy wine industry family after death of their father. His three children, one of which is played by Parikh, are adjusting to their new roles running the empire and should have it figured out by 2150.
Featured photo courtesy of @devikaparikh on Instagram
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