Here are 8 famous actors from Iran were born in 1978:
Ramin Karimloo (September 19, 1978 Tehran-) is an Iranian actor, singer and songwriter. His children are called Hadley Karimloo and Jaiden Karimloo.
Ramin Karimloo is best known for his work in musical theatre, particularly in the West End and Broadway productions of "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Les Misérables". He originated the role of the Phantom in the West End production of "Love Never Dies" and has also played leading roles in "Miss Saigon" and "Anastasia".
Aside from his theatrical work, Karimloo has released several albums, including "Ramin" and "From Now On", which feature his own original songs as well as covers of songs from musicals and popular music. He has also performed in concert tours around the world, showcasing his powerful and emotive singing voice.
Karimloo is known for his charitable work, particularly with organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Red Cross. He is also an advocate for mental health awareness and has been open about his own struggles with depression and anxiety.
Despite being born in Tehran, Iran, Karimloo spent much of his childhood in Canada and now holds dual citizenship in Canada and the UK.
Karimloo began his career in theatre in Canada, performing in various productions before making his way to the West End. He landed his first big break playing Raoul in the West End production of "The Phantom of the Opera" before taking on the iconic role of the Phantom himself. His portrayal of the character earned him critical acclaim and established him as one of the leading performers in musical theatre.
In addition to his work in theatre and music, Karimloo has also acted in television shows and films. He appeared in the BBC series "Holby City" and in the 2012 film "Les Misérables" as the character of Enjolras.
Karimloo is recognized for his stunning performances in both musical and non-musical roles, and has won numerous awards for his work. In 2018, he won the prestigious "Best Actor in a Musical" award at the BroadwayWorld UK Awards for his portrayal of the lead character in "Chess".
Karimloo continues to work in theatre and music, inspiring audiences around the world with his talent and dedication to both his craft and his advocacy work.
David K. Zandi (July 21, 1978 Iran-) also known as David Zandi or Prince David is an Iranian actor.
David K. Zandi was born and raised in Iran, but later migrated to Los Angeles, California, in the United States. He obtained a Master's degree in Fine Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles, and began his acting career in the late 1990s. Zandi appeared in a number of successful Iranian movies such as "The Lizard" (2004) and "The Song of Sparrows" (2008). He is also recognized for his performances in international films such as "Argo" (2012) and "Rosewater" (2014). Zandi is fluent in Persian, English and French, which has made him a versatile actor in international productions. Besides acting, David K. Zandi is also an accomplished photographer, painter, and writer.
He has exhibited his photography and paintings in several solo and group exhibitions, including shows in Los Angeles, Paris, and Tehran. Zandi has also published two books of his photography: "Iran: A Lost Identity" (2011) and "Équilibre" (2017). In addition, he has written several essays on Iranian culture, which have been published in various journals and magazines. David K. Zandi is known for his activism and advocacy for human rights, particularly for the rights of refugees and immigrants. He has served as a spokesperson for several organizations, including UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration, and has participated in numerous campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness about the plight of refugees and migrants around the world.
Ali Ghorban Zadeh (September 19, 1978 Abadan, Iran-) also known as Ali Ghorbanzadeh is an Iranian actor.
He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in acting from Tehran University of Art and has acted in numerous films and television series in Iran. Some of his notable works in film include "A Few Cubic Meters of Love" (2014), "Bodyguard" (2016), and "The Sun" (2019). He has also appeared in several popular Iranian TV series such as "Setayesh" and "Mokhtarnameh". In addition to his acting career, Ghorban Zadeh has worked as a dubbing artist and has dubbed the voices of many foreign actors into Persian for Iranian cinema and TV. He has won several awards for his acting and has been recognized as one of the leading actors of the Iranian film industry.
Ghorban Zadeh is known for his versatile acting skills, having played a wide range of characters in his career. He has also been praised for his ability to portray emotional depth and complexity in his performances. Outside of his acting career, Ghorban Zadeh is active in social and political causes, particularly those related to the environment and the preservation of Iranian cultural heritage. He is also an avid photographer and has exhibited his work in several shows. Ghorban Zadeh is considered to be one of the most respected and talented actors of his generation in Iran.
Bijan Zaimi (December 12, 1978 Tehran-) is an Iranian actor.
He received his BA in Dramatic Literature from the University of Tehran before pursuing acting professionally. Zaimi has appeared in numerous Iranian films, television series, and theater productions. He gained critical acclaim for his role in the film "The Painting Pool" (2013), which won him the Best Actor award at the International Film Festival of Kerala. In addition to his acting career, Zaimi has also worked as a theatre director and is involved in promoting the arts in Iran.
Zaimi began his acting career in the early 2000s and quickly gained recognition for his talent and dedication to his craft. He often plays complex and challenging characters in his films, which has earned him a large and devoted fan base in Iran.
Aside from his work in the entertainment industry, Zaimi is also an active humanitarian and philanthropist. He has worked with various charities and organizations to help empower underprivileged communities and promote education in Iran. In 2017, he was appointed as an Ambassador of Goodwill by the United Nations Development Programme, in recognition of his efforts towards poverty reduction and sustainable development in the country.
Zaimi is widely regarded as one of Iran's most accomplished and versatile actors. He continues to inspire and entertain audiences with his compelling performances, while using his platform to make a positive impact on his community and the world.
Payman Benz (January 31, 1978 Iran-) is an Iranian actor, television director, film director, television producer, film producer, television editor, film editor and screenwriter.
He was raised in Los Angeles, California, after his family immigrated to the United States when he was a child. He attended the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television Production. Payman began his career in the entertainment industry as an actor, appearing in shows such as "E.R." and "The Shield" before transitioning to directing and producing. He has directed episodes of popular TV shows such as "The Office," "Parks and Recreation," and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine." As a film director, he has directed the movie "Explosion Jones" and produced "Garden Party." Payman has also received multiple Emmy nominations for his work in television. He continues to be an influential figure in the entertainment industry, paving the way for other Iranian-Americans to pursue careers in Hollywood.
In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Payman Benz is also an advocate for social justice and human rights. He is a supporter of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran and has used his platform to raise awareness about the struggles of the Iranian people. Payman is also active in the Iranian-American community, working to promote diversity and representation in the entertainment industry. He is a founding member of the Iranian American Bar Association and serves on the board of the Farhang Foundation, which seeks to promote Iranian art, culture, and scholarship in the United States. Payman Benz is a true trailblazer, using his talents and influence to make a positive impact on the world around him.
Antonio Esfandiari (December 8, 1978 Tehran-) also known as Amir Esfandiari, Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiari or The Magician is an Iranian professional poker player, actor and illusionist.
Esfandiari was born in Tehran, Iran, but his family moved to San Jose, California when he was nine years old. As a child, he was interested in magic and began performing as an illusionist. When he turned 19, he discovered poker and quickly became hooked.
Esfandiari has had a successful career as a professional poker player, winning over $27 million in tournament winnings. He has also starred in poker-related TV shows such as the World Series of Poker and the Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament. In addition to his poker career, Esfandiari has also dabbled in acting, appearing in movies and TV shows such as Grandmother's Gold and the Esfandiari Documentary.
In his personal life, Esfandiari is married to professional poker player Amal Bounahra and the couple has two children. In addition to his career and family, he is also involved in philanthropic work, supporting organizations such as the One Drop Foundation which provides access to clean water in developing countries.
Esfandiari's biggest win came in 2012 when he won the Big One for One Drop tournament at the World Series of Poker, earning a record-breaking $18.3 million prize. He also won two World Poker Tour titles, and was named the WPT Player of the Year in 2004.
Esfandiari is known for his outgoing personality and showmanship at the poker tables, often entertaining the crowd with his magic tricks and antics. He has also written a book about poker titled "The Magician's Secrets for Winning Tournaments."
In addition to his success in the poker world, Esfandiari has also been involved in various entrepreneurial ventures. He co-founded a company called Victory Poker and has also launched his own line of poker chips.
Despite his success and wealth, Esfandiari remains grounded and grateful for his life. He often speaks about his gratitude for being able to live his dream and do what he loves for a living, and is known for his positive attitude and generosity towards others.
Mehdi Moinzadeh (February 20, 1978 Hamadan-) is an Iranian actor, author and theatre director.
He studied theatre directing at the University of Tehran and later moved to Germany to pursue his career. Moinzadeh is best known for his work as a director, having directed numerous plays both in Iran and Germany. He has also acted in several Iranian and German films and TV series, including "The Stoning of Soraya M." and "Tatort". In addition to his work in the arts, Moinzadeh is a published author, with several books of poetry and short stories to his name. He is also a human rights activist, working to raise awareness of the struggles faced by Iranian refugees in Germany, and in 2015 he founded the World Refugees School, an organization dedicated to providing education to displaced children.
Moinzadeh's passion for theatre and storytelling began at a young age, and he worked tirelessly to achieve his dreams. After finishing university, he established his own theatre company in Iran, which quickly gained recognition for its innovative productions. In 2003, he moved to Germany, where he faced many challenges as an immigrant in a new country. He used his experiences as inspiration for his writing and activism, becoming a voice for marginalized communities.
Some of Moinzadeh's notable works include his poetry collections, "Etefagh" and "Tanz-e Tanhayee", as well as his short story collection, "Az Mehr-e Geryaee ta Tin-e Atash". He has also received numerous awards for his contributions to the arts, including the prestigious German theatre award, the "Faust" in 2018.
Despite his success, Moinzadeh remains committed to his mission of advocating for human rights and improving the lives of refugees. He continues to work with the World Refugees School and other organizations, using his platform to bring attention to the plight of those who have been forced to flee their homes.
Rusty Sheridan (July 15, 1978 Tehran-) otherwise known as Rustam James Amir Sheridan is an Iranian actor.
He was born to an Iranian mother and a British father, and spent his early life in Tehran before moving to London with his family at the age of 10. Sheridan began his acting career in theater and later made appearances on British television shows such as "EastEnders" and "Holby City". He gained international recognition for his role in the Netflix series "Fauda" as Captain Ayub. In addition to his acting career, Sheridan is also a writer and director. He has written several short films and directed the award-winning short "In Passing". Sheridan is also known for his social activism, particularly for advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and the fight against climate change.
Sheridan's passion for activism stems from his personal experience as a queer person of color. He actively campaigns for LGBTQ+ rights and frequently donates to various LGBTQ+ charities. He has also been an outspoken advocate for diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. In 2020, he founded his production company, "Ambrosia Productions", with the aim of giving opportunities to underrepresented groups in the film industry. Sheridan also serves as an ambassador for the environmental organization, "Greenpeace", and has actively campaigned for climate change awareness. His work in the entertainment industry and social activism has earned him numerous accolades and recognition, including being named one of the "25 Most Influential Queer People in Europe" by "Attitude Magazine" in 2018.