Nazanin Boniadi is a British actress and activist. Her career breakthrough happened with General Hospital (2007–2009) and General Hospital: Night Shift (2007), where she played the role Leyla Mir.
Other notable acting works under her name are including How I Met Your Mother (2011), Homeland (2013–2014), Ben-Hur (2016), Counterpart (2017–2018), Hotel Mumbai (2018), and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022–present).
Contents
Career
Nazanin Boniadi started to pursue an acting career in 2006 with the TV series Kal: Yesterday & Tomorrow. It was then followed by two movies in 2007, Charlie Wilson’s War and Gameface.
That very same year, she also starred in two other TV series titled General Hospital and General Hospital: Night Shift. She was nominated for an award for her role there.
After that, she frequently appeared as a supporting character in a number of popular movies such as The Next Three Days (2010), Iron Man (2008), and Diplomacy (2009).
Her career breakthrough came when she was offered the role of British-Iranian woman in the movie Hotel Mumbai (2018), which also earned her a nomination in an award ceremony.
In 2022, she joined the cast of the much-anticipated TV series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which soon became a hit.
Besides acting, Nazanin Boniadi also has a knack for writing and producing movies. She wrote and produced the movie Stateless which was released in 2020.
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Profile
- Real Name: Nazanin Boniadi
- Stage Name: Nazanin Boniadi
- Also Known as: –
- Nickname: Nazanin
- Birthday: May 22, 1980
- Birthplace: Tehran, Iran
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- Nationality: British
- Religion: Islam
- Professions: Actress, Activist
- Education: University of California, Irvine
- Hobbies: Exercising, reading, photography, learning, traveling, internet surfing
- Facebook: Nazanin Boniadi Official
- Twitter: @NazaninBoniadi
- Instagram: @nazaninboniadi
- TikTok: –
- YouTube: –
Height, Weight, & Physical Appearance
- Height: 5’4” (162 cm)
- Weight: 51 Kg (112 lbs)
- Blood Type: –
- Hair Color: Dark brown
- Eye Color: Dark brown
- Body Measurements: 32-26-34 (Bust -32, Waist -26, and Hips -34 inches)
- Shoe Size: 7 (US)
- Dress Size: –
Family
- Father: –
- Mother: –
- Brother: –
- Sister: –
Boyfriend & Dating History
Tom Cruise
Nazanin reportedly was dating Tom from 2004 to 2005. However, it appeared that it isn’t a common relationship.
She joined the Church of Scientology, which Tom is a high-profile member of, at 17 years old. According to media reports, her mother used to be a member as well.
She apparently revealed that back in 2004, she auditioned for what she thought to be the church’s a special humanitarian project. It turned out to be an audition for the Hollywood actor’s girlfriend.
Tony Ortega, an American journalist, reported this around May 2017 based on FBI testimony she had given in early 2010 about their relationship, describing how the church chose her to be his girlfriend.
Net Worth
Various sources online estimated her net worth to be around $2 million, in which she primarily earns through her acting profession.
Facts
- Nazanin was born in Tehran but had to move to London with her parents as refugees because of Iranian Revolution.
- She moved to London when she was only a month old.
- Nazanin then moved to Irvine to attend college.
- She was a spokesperson for Amnesty International and was active in protecting the rights of Iranian youth and women.
- Nazanin was a Scientologist.
- Her ex-boyfriend, Tom Cruise, is a famous actor.
- She broke up with her ex-boyfriend because she claimed that he was violent during their relationship.
- Her favorite colors are black, red, and white.
- Nazanin received the Chang Pin Chu Undergraduate Research Award for her work in cancer and heart-transplant rejection research.
- She likes eating Sunday Snacks.
- Nazanin likes drinking coffee, mojito, and fruit juice.
- She enjoys romantic movies.
- Her ideal type is…
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Movies
- Stateless (2020), as the writer and the producer
- Bombshell (2019), as Rudi Bakhtiar
- Hotel Mumbai: Press Conference (2018), as self
- Hotel Mumbai (2018), as Zahra
- Passengers (2016), as Wake-up Hologram
- Ben-Hur (2016), as Esther
- Zoolander 2 (2016), as ‘Old and Lame’ Show Attendee
- Homeland: Spies Among Us (2014), as Fara Sharazi
- Desert Dancer (2014), as Parisa Ghaffarian
- Shirin in Love (2014), as Shirin
- Nespresso: The Swap (2011), as Miss Volluto
- A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2011), as The Girl
- The Next Three Days (2010), as Elaine
- Diplomacy (2009), as Persian Interpreter
- Shades of Ray (2008), as Farah
- Iron Man (2008), as Amira Ahmed
- Charlie Wilson’s War (2007), as Afghan Refugee Woman
- Gameface (2007), as Taylor
- Kal: Yesterday & Tomorrow (2006), as Simmi
TV Series
- The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon Prime Video | 2022), as Bronwyn
- Counterpart (Starz | 2018), as Clare Quayle
- Scandal (ABC | 2014), as Adnan Salif
- Homeland (Showtime | 2013), as Fara Sherazi
- Grey’s Anatomy (ABC | 2013), as Amrita
- Go On (NBC | 2013), as Hannah
- Rochelle (2012), as Panna Jalalawal
- Best Friends Forever (NBC | 2012), as Naya
- CSI (CBS | 2012), as Nurse Lauren
- How I Met Your Mother (CBS | 2011), as Nora
- Suits (USA Network | 2011), as Lauren Pearl
- Hawthorne (TNT | 2010), as Aneesa Amara
- 24 (Fox | 2010), as Blonde Woman
- The Deep End (Fox | 2010), as Heather Mosson
- General Hospital (ABC | 2007), as Leyla Mir
- General Hospital: Night Shift (ABC | 2007), as Leyla Mir
- The Game (The CW | 2007), as Josie
TV Shows
- Entertainment Tonight (YouTube | 2022), as a guest
- Burning Questions (YouTube | 2022), as a guest
- The United Nations Association 2020 Global Citizen Awards & 13th Annual 2020 West Coast Global Forum (UN Web TV | 2020), as a guest
- 9th AACTA Awards (Fox | 2019), as a guest
- The United Nations Association 2019 Global Citizen Awards & 12th Annual West Coast Global Forum (UN Web TV | 2019), as a guest
- GMA3: Strahan, Sara & Keke (ABC | 2019), as a guest
- Celebrity Page (Reelz | 2018), as a guest
- Made in Hollywood (Syndication | 2016), as a guest
- Good Morning America (ABC | 2016), as a guest
- The Arsenio Hall Show (CBS | 2014), as a guest
- 39th NAACP Image Awards (FuboTV | 2008), as a guest
Nominations
- 2019 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards – Best Lead Actress – Hotel Mumbai
- 2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards – Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series – Homeland
- 2008 NAACP Image Awards – Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series – General Hospital
Quotes
“I was born in Iran, which has a predominantly Muslim population, and I have relatives who are devout Muslims, so I know what it means to be judged based on your appearance and what you’re wearing. But your ethnicity and your clothing do not define who you are.”
“My parents married before the Iranian Revolution, 41yrs ago today, that set women’s rights back a century, ruined countless lives & took a nation hostage.They sacrificed everything as refugees so. I could reach my potential. For them &so many others,I commit myself to a #FreeIran.”
“My parents were political refugees who fled to London when I was just 20 days old. They were opposed to the theocracy and didn’t want to raise their daughter in a social, political and legal climate that was growing increasingly oppressive towards women and girls.”
“Our rights are interconnected and inseparable. When freedom of expression is threatened, the rights to freedom of association and assembly, of thought, conscience and religion, are also compromised.”
“I feel really connected to antiquity for some reason.”
“Generally, I love being part of a project that imparts a positive message, is somehow educational or enlightening, helps to bridge differences, or inspires viewers in some way.”
“Women and girls, men and boys all share the right to live free of violence, which is, unfortunately, experienced by both men and women. Women and girls, however, disproportionately experience violence due to a deeply rooted global culture of gender discrimination.”
“I think a culture can really be elevated through the arts, and it’s always a dream come true when I come across roles that enable me to fuse my love of storytelling with my passion for activism and raising social awareness.”
“In real life, too, women love to be that girl who tames the bad boy.”
“As an actress, I value and rely on peaceful self-expression, not only in my daily life, but also in my professional work. This is particularly true, as my commitment to the promotion of human rights is an integral part of my calling as an artist.”
“We all know in our hearts that forgiveness is the right thing; it’s just a matter of being inspired to reach that place.”
“A celebrated and hugely popular actress in her native Iran, Ahangarani first landed on the radar of the Iranian authorities for her open support of opposition figure Mir-Hossein Mousavi, which led to her arrest in July 2009 in the aftermath of a disputed presidential election in Iran.”
“The way we remember people, even their beauty is all so subjective and a matter of perspective.”
“I was shocked when I heard that Farghadani had been sentenced to 12 years and nine months in prison on spurious charges, as Amnesty International notes, of ‘spreading propaganda against the system,’ ‘insulting members of the parliament through paintings’ and ‘insulting the Supreme Leader’ with her cartoon.”
“As far as the 2009 elections go, there has been a serious crackdown on human rights in Iran, a clampdown on the media and the wrongful imprisonment of journalists. So it seems what’s happening is the government is going after people who have a voice, people who change society or public opinion.”
“I do think faith is important when it introduces positivity into your life and you see it with love in your heart because there’s so many people who unfortunately use faith for detrimental things or to justify detrimental actions.”
“While awareness-building is a crucial first step, cohesive efforts are needed to translate this into real-world change.”
“The thing that I love about ‘Scandal’ is every character, it’s not clear if they’re good or bad. Everyone is both good and bad.”
“The people of Iran have had to endure repressive laws that have stifled their freedom of speech and religion for too long.”
“Belgian chocolate is my weakness. I like over 72 percent cacao, which shows you how much of a dark chocolate snob I am.”
“Artists often become vocal advocates of freedom of expression because we depend on it so heavily in our work. But it is an inalienable right that belongs to everyone on an equal basis.”
“As an Iranian woman and activist, Sotoudeh’s plight resonated with me on a deeply personal level.”
“First of all, I’m Middle Eastern; I’m Iranian, so to be playing a leading role in a big Hollywood movie, I think, is possibly one of the first times.”
“Although each human rights victory energizes us to continue our work, there remains a deep sorrow for those prisoners still wrongfully languishing in jail.”
“Clothes are a big part of a free society, I think, and what you wear is so indicative of the political climate you’re living in.”
“It’s been an interesting progression, going from soap to a sitcom with ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and now being a series regular on ‘Homeland.'”
Nazanin Boniadi has gathered a massive following of fans due to her charming personality and outstanding performance. It is apparent that she is at the pinnacle of success.