Shelly Desai

Shelly Desai, a character actor whose five-decade career brought memorable roles on television and in film, died February 10, 2026, in Los Angeles. He was 90.

Desai is best remembered for his recurring role as landlord Hwang on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and as Carlos on the TNT dramedy "Men of a Certain Age," alongside Ray Romano, Andre Braugher (1962–2023), and Scott Bakula.

Born Shailesh H. Desai on December 3, 1935, in Bombay (now Mumbai), he emigrated to the United States in the 1960s, intending to pursue a master's degree in engineering. Once in the U.S., he shifted his focus and began acting.

Desai initially worked on stage, performing off-Broadway and on Broadway in productions in the 1970s and early 1980s. One of his early Broadway credits was "Gandhi" in 1970, and he later appeared in "A Talent for Murder" in 1981.

His screen career spanned more than 50 years, with roles in acclaimed films including "Thelma & Louise," "Toys," "Escape from L.A.," "Here Comes the Boom," and "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2." On television he appeared in guest and recurring roles for series such as "ER," "Friends," "NYPD Blue," "Ugly Betty," "Hill Street Blues," "St. Elsewhere," and "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his stepdaughters, April and Dawn; and three grandchildren.

By Legacy News Staff

(Image: Raymond Hagans/MediaPunch /IPX)