From East Africa to England to Los Angeles, realtor and actor Gurpinder Virdee shares how loss, faith, and perseverance shaped his path — and why home means more than a house
Magazine, The Immigrant Experiecne, By Vic Gerami
Photography courtesy of Gurpinder Virdee
Vic Gerami: You just got back from New York. Was it business or pleasure?
Gurpinder Virdee: Pure pleasure. We saw a couple of Broadway shows and Madonna at Madison Square Garden. It was amazing — a full house. The crowd was mostly older, but the energy was still electric. She still has it, even if she can’t quite move like her dancers anymore.
“I didn’t feel like I had a home until I bought my first house — at 46.”
VG: Let’s start with your story. Where were you born, and how did your family come to the U.S.?
GV: I’m Indian, but I was born and raised in England. My parents were born in Nairobi, Kenya, part of the Indian diaspora that moved there under British rule. My dad studied mechanics in Germany, married my mom, and they settled in London. We came to Los Angeles in 1990 when I was 13.
VG: You lost your mother very young. How did that shape your life?
GV: It changed everything. My mother and grandmother were killed in a car accident when I was nine. Soon after, my aunt introduced my dad to her best friend — who became my stepmother — and that’s how we started the immigration process. Losing my mom that early left a hole that took decades to fill. I didn’t feel truly settled until I bought my first home here in LA.
VG: You’ve mentioned you’re Sikh. How central is that to your identity?
GV: Very. I was raised a devout Sikh. I spent much of my childhood in temple, learning our language, music, and scripture. Sikhism is distinct from Hinduism or Islam — it focuses on truth and presence rather than idols or deities. God, for us, is truth and the moment itself. It’s about living your values every day.
“Sikhism is about truth and presence, not idols.”
VG: What was it like moving to Los Angeles as a teenager?
GV: Honestly, it was tough. In 1990, schools in the Valley still felt very divided by race and culture. I wore a turban and had a thick British accent. People didn’t know where to place me. England had racism too, but it was more open and acknowledged. Here, it was quiet but deeply ingrained. Over time, though, LA became home — diverse, creative, imperfect but alive.
VG: Today you’re a successful realtor. How did you get into real estate?
GV: I’ve always loved architecture and design, and I’m a people person. I’ve been with Coldwell Banker Realty for five years, based in Calabasas. I serve clients across the Valley — from Calabasas and Malibu to Sherman Oaks and Studio City. Real estate here isn’t just about listings. It’s about contracts, negotiations, and building trust. Having great mentors early on was key.
VG: What do you love most about what you do?
GV: Helping people find a home — literally and emotionally. I know what it means to search for belonging. When clients get their keys, it’s not just a transaction. It’s their next chapter.
“Helping people find a home is personal for me. It’s about belonging.”
VG: You and your husband recently moved, right?
GV: We did. We bought a home in Chatsworth in a new community called Deer Lake Ranch, near Porter Ranch. It’s quiet, surrounded by hills and hiking trails. We moved from Tarzana, and it feels like we finally put down roots. We’ve got our dogs, family close by, and good neighbors.
VG: You’re also open about your sobriety.
GV: Yes. I’ve been sober for almost 11 years. I don’t hide it because it’s part of who I am. Sobriety gave me clarity and balance — it made me better at everything, from my marriage to my career.
VG: What’s next for you professionally?
GV: Expanding my presence online. I want to create videos that educate people about the market and the process — make real estate approachable. Before real estate, I worked in TV and modeling in my twenties, so I’m taking acting classes again and finding ways to merge both worlds. I think storytelling is key in any business.
VG: After everything you’ve experienced, what does “home” mean to you now?
GV: Home is peace. It’s stability, love, gratitude, and family — chosen and biological. For a long time, I didn’t feel like I belonged anywhere. Now I do. LA is home.
About Gurpinder Virdee
Gurpinder Virdee is a Los Angeles–based realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty, serving the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas. Born in England to East African Indian parents and raised Sikh, he immigrated to the U.S. at 13. He lives in Chatsworth with his husband and their dogs, balancing real estate, creative projects, and community work.
About Vic Gerami
Vic Gerami is an award-winning journalist, editor, publisher, and filmmaker. He is the founder of The Blunt Post and the Truth and Accountability League (TAAL), a nonprofit dedicated to combating hate and disinformation. His multi-award-winning documentary ARTSAKH: Armenian Genocide Continues has screened internationally and received more than 80 festival selections.
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