Shohreh Aghdashloo, born on May 11, 1952 in Tehran, Iran is an Academy Award nominated Los Angeles-based Iranian-American actress and self-proclaimed activist. She is outspoken against her native Iran's current government.

Biography

Shohreh Aghdashloo was born Shohreh Vaziri-Tabar (Aghdashloo is the name of her former husband, famous Iranian painter Aydin Aghdashloo), to a secular Muslim wealthy family in 1952. She entered acting school at a young age, and acted at the age of 20 in some movies in her native Iran like Gozaaresh (The Report), which was directed by the director Abbas Kiarostami.

After the 1979 Revolution, she left Iran for England, where she finished her education. Her interest in politics and social justice drove her to earn a Bachelor's degree in International Relations.

Shohreh Aghdashloo was one of the nominees for the Oscar in 2004 for the category of Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her work in House of Sand and Fog. The award was won by Renée Zellweger, though many say that Aghdashloo deserved the award. Many of her compatriots believe her nomination was more political than artistic.

During the fourth season of 24, Aghdashloo had a recurring role as a Muslim terrorist, in a storyline that raised controversy among Iranian-American and Arab-American communities. In an interview with TIME magazine, she stated that although she had previously resisted reinforcing the stereotype of Muslims as terrorists, the strength and complexity of the role convinced her to accept the part.

In 2006, Shohreh Aghdashloo will appear in X-Men 3, the third film adaptation of the long-running comic book, as Dr. Kavita Rao.

She is married to Iranian theatre actor and director Hooshang Tozi.

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