Irene Zazians

Irene Zazians , best known as Iren in Iran, was an IranianArmenian actress. She started acing in 1948, and became a super star in the 1950s. She cooperated with some famous Iranian new wave directors in Iran, both before and after 1979 revolution such as Samuel Khachikian, Amir Naderi, Nosrat Karimi, Masoud Kimiyayi, and Alireza Davood Nejad. Her two films after the revolution were banned, The Red Line directed by Kimiyayi and The Reward by Davood Nejad.

Irene was born in an Armenian family who had immigrated to Babolsar, Iran after surviving the Armenian Genocide. Irenes father was Alexander Zazians and her mothers name was Varia. Her father was from Western Armenia, while her mother was from the east. Irene was their fourth child, but all of the first three children died of causes such as disease. She went to Shahdokht school in Babolsar. She started acting in Ferdowsi theater when she was only 19. In 1951 she joined Noushin group in Sadi theater. She played in Lady Windermeres Fan, a Oscar Wilde play in those days. She married Mohammad Asemi, an actor in Noushin theater when she was only 16.

Source: Wikipedia