Transgender Actress And Activist Aneesh Sheth-Biography

Aneesh Sheth is an Indian-American theatre & television/film actress, director, producer, and transgender activist.

The Broadway alum, who notably plays Gillian on Jessica Jones, has landed roles in the likes of Outsourced, New Amsterdam, High Maintenance, and The Walking Dead.

Similarly, Sheth was listed on Advocate Magazine's 40 Under 40 list in 2013. She also won HRC Visibility Award at the HRC Annual Gala for her activism and advocacy in Jan 2020.

Growing up, she did not have any transgender role models whom she could rely on, which is probably why Aneesh has made a mission to be a face of the transgender community in the entertainment industry.

Her efforts, hard work, and passion have made an indelible impression on fans. She is, by all means, the next big thing.

Here get all the details on her personal and professional life, including family, age, net worth, husband, and more. 

How Old Is Aneesh Sheth? Age And Ethnicity

Aneesh Sheth was born on January 5, 1982, in Pune, India, to Indian parents. As of August 2022, she is 40 years old.

Her family moved to the USA when she was young. They settled in New York.

Sheth later moved to San Francisco and currently resides in Seattle.

She attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts for Musical Theatre and earned her bachelor's degree. 

Experience On Accepting And Coming Out As A Transgender

Aneesh Sheth, in 2008 at the age of 14, joined The Trevor Project and The Stigma Project to help LGBTQ kids.

The Trevor Project is an American nonprofit organization founded in 1998 and focuses on suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQIA+ youth.

During that time, Sheth came across a cross with a trans girl, and after hearing her stories and feelings, she realized she was a trans kid.

It was undeniably an overwhelming feeling for her, but with the help of her shrink and doctors, Aneesh came to the terms of accepting and being proud of her true identity.

Another big step for the actress was coming out to her family and friends.

Coming out is never easy; the fear of not being accepted among your loved ones for your true identity is always nerve-wracking.

Thankfully, Sheth's most of family members and friends were very understanding and accepting.

"Nearly everyone said that they weren't surprised. I did experience some loss in certain relationships, but it strengthened some others. You learn that life is short and you don't have time to waste on people who aren't going to fully accept you for who you are."

Views On Transgender Community In The Entertainment Role

While actress/director Sheth believes the industry is changing, the process is slow.

Transgender actors are often typecast, and they are deprived of equal opportunities.

Even the depiction of such characters used to be a bit offensive and almost untrue. 

However, the industry is changing, and Sheth is hoping for nothing but the best for trans people.

"I do hope we get to a point in time where any actor can portray a trans person, in an honest, fully realized way. Until then, filmmakers need to be a little more daring and not afraid to stray from the stereotypical portrayals we have seen in films thus far."

Aneesh Sheth's Message For Transgender Girls Struggling With Gender Dysphoria?

Gender dysphoria is unease and distress because of their gender identity, which often leads people to depression and anxiety.

Sheth has frequently talked about gender dysphoria and the ways to help youths.

In her 2014 interview, the actress and activist gave a special message to all trans youth struggling with gender dysphoria.

The message read:

Be true to yourself. If you're scared, concerned, or have questions, reach out. Talk to people; make connections. Don't isolate yourself. And most importantly, dream big. Don't let anyone tell you you can't be someone or something because of who you are.

She continued:

When I transitioned, I didn't think I could ever be an actress again. I am still surprised to find that my career is thriving more now than prior to my transition.

Is She Also A Doctor?

No, Aneesh Sheth is not a doctor, but she often gets confused about being a doctor because Dr. Sheth's is a very popular skincare brand.

The founding members' name is also Aneesh Sheth, and fans often confuse them to be the same person. 

Aneesh Sheth's Career Highlights And Net Worth

Creating arts is something Sheth has done her whole life, and her artistic chops are still growing.

She learned piano, flute, and classical voice training during her youth, and soon after graduation, she started her acting journey.

Aneesh started working on tour, including with the Broadway National Tour of legendary Oscar-winning Indian musician A.R. Rahman's Bombay Dreams.

During her tour, she worked with companies such as PlayGround SF, Playwrights Foundation, Village Theater, The Asian American Theatre Company, and The 5th Avenue Theatre.

She found her ground on stage and has appeared in many iconic off-Broadway shows.

Some include Southern Comfort, Public Studio, and Twelfth Night: Mobile Unit.

Likewise, Sheth is also a rising name in the tv and film world. She is represented by Take 3 Talent Agency and managed by 1022m Management.

She made her debut in 2011 on the show Outsourced-an American sitcom set in an Indian workplace.

She appeared as Kami Sutra for the two episodes. Later, the 40-year-old appeared in My Inner Turmoil, Semi-Secret,  Difficult People, A Kid Like Jake, and High Maintenance.

In 2015, she directed, produced, wrote, and acted in the television series Crave.

The show follows the story of Maggie, a closeted transgender actress, and her two best friends.  

Similarly, Sheth had three episodes of role as Lila in the medical drama series New Amsterdam in 2019.

She, however, is most known for her role as Gillian in the TV series Jessica Jones. The show is based on the Marvel Comics character Jessica Jones starring Krysten Ritter in the lead.

Her other popular roles are Kat in Insomnia, Preeti in First One In and Jan in The Walking Dead.

Her upcoming projects include Bollywood and Vine: The Original B-Movie Musical as Detective Kapoor and Red White & Royal Blue, a movie based on Casey McQuiston's novel of the same name.

As of August 2022, Aneesh Sheth's net worth is estimated at $1 million with a $200K yearly income.

Similarly, Aneesh is one of the Board of Directors for The Sappho Project and is a trans activist, panelist, and event host.

Who Is Aneesh Sheth's Husband?

According to the IMDb, the actress/activist Sheth has been married two times.

Her first husband was Michael Mumford. The couple got married on (21 September 2008. Sadly, Mumford passed away in June 2009.

Sheth once shared a picture of Michael and penned a heartfelt message about losing her partner and the grief that followed her.

She wrote:

At 27 years old, I lost my partner suddenly and unexpectedly. He was the first boyfriend I ever had, the first person to see me and love me for my authentic self, and the first person I ever lost. My life changed drastically.

She continued:

"Michael is still with me every day, and though wounds heal and time continues on, it's a grief I carry with me always. It changed me on a monumental and cellular level."

Later, Sheth tied the knot with Michael Schumpert. The duo tied the knot on 13 April 2013.

According to her Instagram posts, her second spouse was an Army man. She revealed the struggles and sacrifices of marrying a military man.

"Weeks after I got married, I had to move with my then-husband to San Angelo, TX for his training. I'd been to Tx before but nothing prepared me for living in an immensely red county."

The post further read:

"I was also left on my own in our tiny apartment because he wasn't allowed to leave base, and as newlyweds we only got to see each other on the weekends. I began to learn quickly what it meant to sacrifice for the military."

However, despite all the efforts, their marriage did not survive, and the duo divorced only after two years on 10 December 2015.

"My ex husband asked me for a divorce the night before I left to go to New York for my Southern Comfort call back. It was then I realized how much I needed out of that marriage."

"He greeted me at the door with divorce papers. In the last month before moving out, I discovered the reasons for our divorce was infidelity."

Well, everything happens for a reason, and for Sheth, it was the beginning of something big and beautiful.

She diverted all her focus on her career, and we all know where she is today.

There are not many details on her current relationship status. 
Aneesh, however, talked about the importance of love in her life. During an interview, she said:

Love is a big thing in my life. I think I, like many others, transgender or not, have always feared that I will never be loved in the way I need to be loved. Love and acceptance from peers and family is a constant concern.

Some Of Famous Aneesh Sheth's Personal Quotes

1. Now that I’ve become a fully realized woman I tend to find the ideas of any beauty pageant a little off-putting. There is a huge emphasis on sexuality and a certain standard of beauty for women that I disagree with. I know many women just as beautiful or even more beautiful than your ‘pageant’ girls who just don’t fit the “ideal” beauty type. And that’s OK! I much prefer being around people who are beautiful on the inside, as cliché as that sounds.
2. I think LGBT rights, not just transgender rights, is the new frontier. Sometimes I just can’t believe it is 2014 and some nations, including the United States, still haven’t come to fully accept LGBT people.
3. I would love to leave my mark in Hollywood, crossing boundaries and making history. I'd like to be a woman people can look to and say I can be who I am and achieve my dreams.