B.J. Novak Shares Why He's the 'Best Godfather' to Mindy Kaling's Kids, and Reveals the Silly Nickname One Has for Him
B.J. Novak Shares Why He's the 'Best Godfather' to Mindy Kaling's Kids, and Reveals the Silly Nickname One Has for Him
Kimberlee SpeakmanTue, April 21, 2026 at 3:27 PM UTC
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A photo of B.J. Novak and Mindy Kaling with her daughterCredit: Taylor Hill/WireImage; Mindy Kaling/Instagram -
B.J. Novak revealed Mindy Kaling's daughter, Katherine "Kit" Swati's nickname for him on Watch What Happens Live on Monday, April 20
He revealed that the nickname was inspired by a Duolingo for Kids app character
Novak is godfather to all three of Kaling's children: Katherine, Spencer and Anne
B.J. Novak has a special nickname courtesy of Mindy Kaling’s daughter.
The actor, 46, revealed on the Monday, April 20 episode of Watch What Happens Live that Kaling’s daughter Katherine “Kit” Swati, 8— whom he is a godfather to — nicknamed him after a cartoon character on an app.
The topic came after a viewer called in to ask what was “one gift” that he gave to The Mindy Project alum’s children that made him the “best godfather ever,” which prompted him to share a little backstory.
“Kit nicknamed me Fofo, which is based on a Duolingo for Kids character — the bear Fofo,” he responded. “So, I got her a Fofo stuffed animal for her collection, and that hit the spot.”
“I have to say B.J. [is] very present with children. He’s very— he gets on their level. He talks to them,” host Andy Cohen responded, before jokingly adding, “I bet you’re still making a mint out of that children’s book, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, but it’s out of love,” the actor replied. “... That’s a lesson for all of us, right? You do what you love, and you get more out of that.”
A photo of Mindy Kaling with her kids.Credit: Mindy Kaling/instagram
The Poker Face actor is not only the godfather to Katherine, but to Kaling’s two other children, Spencer, 5, and Anne, 2, as well. Kaling first revealed that he was a godfather to Katherine in an interview with Good Housekeeping in 2019.
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"The truth is that B.J. is so much more like family now than a platonic friend. He's the godfather to my daughter," Kaling said at the time.
"He comes over once a week. Sometimes he'll come over just to hang out with her," she added.
The Late Night star has not been shy about discussing Novak’s importance in her family life over the years. After receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in February 2025, she also shared that Novak was an "important and integral part of my family."
Novak reciprocated the praise, calling Kaling an "incredible mother of three.”
A photo of Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak.Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty
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"Mindy respects and understands [fame] in a very intuitive way because in addition to being a brilliant and wildly successful showrunner, an incredible mother of three, a deep and caring daughter and friend and mentor to so many," he shared.
"You'd be on the walk of talent if they had one," he added. "You'd be on the walk of friendship. You'd be on the walk of compassionate parenthood, but let's face it, all of these would be terrible field trips, so here you are instead, very deservedly, a person who means so much to so many on the Hollywood Walk of Fame."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
