Born: 11 May 1952 in Tehran
Education: BA in International Relations
Personal: Married to actor and
playwright Houshang Touzie, daughter Tara born 1989. Manager
and long-time personal friend Jaleh Modjallal
Occupation: Actress, Playwright
Claim to Fame: First Iranian woman to
be nominated for an Oscar
Movies: "24" (2005)
TV Series as Dina Araz, House of Sand and Fog (2003)as
Nadi, America
So Beautiful (2001) as Exiled actress, Surviving
Paradise (2000) as Pari, Maryam (2000) as
Mrs. Armin, Twenty
Bucks (1993) as Ghada Holiday, Guests of Hotel
Astoria (1989),
Sooteh-Delan (1978), Gozaresh (1977), Shatranje
bad (1976)
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Biography
Early Years:
 Born in Tehran, in 1952,
to an accountant father, Shohreh Aghdashloo started her
acting career with smaller Theater Workshops in her hometown
where
she
participated in various plays. She was part of the
Drama Workshop of Tehran where new areas of theatre were
always tested out. The group was formed by a group of
young actors,
intellectuals
and playwrights among whom were Bijan Saffaree and Abbas
Na'lbandian.
At 25, Aghdashloo left for London, to earn
a degree in International Relations. In Britain, she
continued her life-long passion, which was still acting.
Throughout her early years, Aghdashloo used theatre as
a medium and place to learn acting and hone her
skills for the
big
screen.
Acclaimed Actress:  Shohreh
Aghdashloo's Iranian feature film debut was in the movie Gozaresh,
which premiered in 1977. The movie was directed by
Abbas Kia-Rostami
whose later films such as Through the Olive Tree and
Taste of Cherry have captivated audiences
worldwide. Her second film she acted in, Shatranje
bad was released first in 1976. Aghdashloo went
on to participate in her third filrm, Sooteh-Delan which
came out in. This movies was directed by the legendary
Iranian Writer/Director, Ali Hatami whose memorable Period
Piece
movies such
as Soltan-e Saheb Gheran and Hezar Dastaan contributed
significantly
to raising the awareness of Iran's past
hundred years of history. Aghdashloo, taking the role
of a hired prostitute, appeared opposite famed
Behrooz
Vosooghi. In 1978,
Aghdashloo left for Britain. There she completed her
studies and
acted in various theatre productions.
In 1987, Aghdashloo
moved to Los Angeles to command a bigger
Farsi speaking
audience. There she met her husband, actor and
playwright Houshang Touzie. She continued her work in plays
and theatre. One of the best known plays has been her
husband's Sweet Smell of Love (Booyeh
Khosh-e Eshgh)
which became
an
instant
hit with audiences everywhere. This heart-felt play is
about the immigrant family life. While acting in this
play, Aghdashloo also took smaller roles in Hollywood
films, including America So Beautiful and Surviving
Paradise. If she was waiting for the right role,
then her chance came with her next film.
Aghdashloo's big Hollywood break came
with her role in the movie The House of Sand and
Fog (2003). She starred opposite
acclaimed actor Ben Kingsley and Jennifer Connelly. The
movie depicts the story of an Iranian family who has
moved to America and is trying to make end's meet. For
her role in this film, Aghdashloo was nominated for an
Oscar in the Best Supporting Actress category. She is
the first Iranian to be honored with such a nomination
at the Academy Awards. Today, Aghdashloo continues acting
with her husband in their co-written plays. Touzie's
sequel to the first play. Our
Share of the Father's House, continues
to draw crowd and please audiences. Her recent roles on TV series "24" opposite Kiefersutherland and plans to star in many more Hollywood feature films has catapulted this Iranian star onto the International celebrity scene.
Image Gallery:
Filmography:
X-Men 3 (2006) .... Dr. Kavita Rao
American Dreamz (2006)
Mare, Il (2006)
The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) .... Dr. Adani
Babak & Friends: A First Norooz (2005) (V) .... Farah
House of Sand and Fog (2003) .... Nadi
America So Beautiful (2001) .... Exiled actress
Surviving Paradise (2000) .... Pari
Maryam (2000) .... Mrs. Armin
Twenty Bucks (1993) .... Ghada Holiday
Guests of Hotel Astoria (1989)
Sooteh-Delan (1978)
... aka Desiderium (International: English title)
Gozaresh (1977)
... aka The Report
Shatranje bad (1976)
Mystic Iran: The Unseen World (2002) (V) Writer/Producer/Narrator
"24" playing "Dina Araz"
"The Tony Danza Show" playing "Herself" (episode # 1.91) 28 January 2005
"Martin" playing "Malika" in episode: "Jerome's in the House" (episode # 1.23) 1 April 1993
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Famous Iranians
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