Nazanin Boniadi

Nazanin Boniadi was born in Tehran, Iran, during the turbulent period of the Iranian Revolution. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to London, where she cultivated her talents in violin and ballet.

Boniadi pursued a robust academic path, attending a private high school before relocating to the United States. She graduated with honors from the University of California, Irvine, earning a bachelor's degree in biological sciences. During her time at UCI, she was recognized with the Chang Pin-Chun Undergraduate Research Award for her innovative research on cancer treatment and heart transplant rejection. Additionally, she served as the Assistant Editor-in-Chief of MedTimes, the university’s undergraduate medical publication.

In the realm of entertainment, Boniadi has made significant strides in both film and television. She gained acclaim for her role as CIA analyst Fara Sherazi in the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series Homeland (2011), earning a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination in 2015 as part of the ensemble cast. Boniadi's film credits include the 2016 remake of Ben-Hur, where she starred as Esther alongside notable actors like Morgan Freeman and Jack Huston. She also appeared in Iron Man (2008) and The Next Three Days (2010).

Beyond her acting career, Boniadi is a passionate advocate for human rights. She served as a spokesperson for Amnesty International USA from 2009 to 2015 and continues to work with the organization as an AIUSA Artist of Conscience. Fluent in both English and Persian, Boniadi remains committed to her artistic and humanitarian pursuits.