Vinay attended State University of New York at Stony Brook and acted in many plays.Pathak started off with bit roles before being noticed for his role in the comedy Khosla Ka Ghosla. Soon after that, his performance in the comedy Bheja Fry won him rave reviews.In 1999 he does an important role of Vineet sir (an English teacher) in zee TV's popular TV series "Hip Hip Hurrey".He also produced the film Dasvidaniya which told the story of a common man bidding farewell before dying. He, along with good friend Ranvir Shorey, anchored the Channel V show OYE.
Along with friend and co-star Ranvir Shorey, he was the host of the successful talk show Ranvir Vinay Aur Kaun? which aired on Star TV.[1] They also co-hosted a perhaps lesser-known show House Arrest on Channel V. They hosted a show called Duniya Goal Hain on ESPN-STAR (with co-anchors like Andy Panders) during the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He also teamed up with his friends Ranvir, Suresh Menon and Gaurav Ghera to be a part of a gag based show Great Indian Laughter Show (the show was aired on Star One). In his later years in television, he hosted Cricket Crazy with Ranvir which was telecast on Star Sports in India.
Pathak starred in a minor role as Inspector Gurpal Badash in a made-for-TV movie Murder Unveiled (2005) featuring the Sikh community in Canada.
Pathak acted in the critically acclaimed movie Johnny Gaddaar and Aaja Nachle. His work in Khoya Khoya Chand, made by the acclaimed director Sudhir Mishra, has been appreciated. He also gave a performance in the Bollywood hit Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.
His next film produced by Pritish Nandy Communications (PNC) Raat Gayi Baat Gayi won the Best Film Award at HBO's New York South Asian International Film Festival, 2009. The movie was released in India in December, 2009. Vinay Pathak's movie, ' Chalo Dilli' failed at Box office.
His film Antardwand directed by Sushil Rajpal won the 2009 National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues. Pathak plays a significant role in the movie. He also starred as the English teacher Vinny Sir in the television series Hip Hip Hurray.
His upcoming films include, Jo Dooba So Paar...its love in Bihar, Kaccha Limbu, Mumbai Cutting, Oh God No God, Tyre Puncture Adventures Of Fanta Cola, Utt Pataang and SRK, Gour hari dastaan.