Born in Tehran on 3 February 1974, Shahab Hosseini began his trajectory in the arts through student theater and radio broadcasting. Since transitioning to screen acting, he has secured international recognition as a leading Iranian performer, becoming the first actor from his country to receive the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival.
Early Career and Television
Hosseini studied psychology at the University of Tehran before leaving the program to focus on his career. His initial professional work involved radio hosting on programs such as Two Halves of an Apple and Joyful Melody. He moved to television presenting in 1998, appearing on the show Oxygen. His acting debut in television occurred in 2000 with the series After the Rain, followed by roles in Young Police and Cold Fever. He gained further attention for his portrayal of Habib Parsa in the 2006 series Zero Degree Turn and later appeared in the home media project Shahrzad.
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His cinematic career commenced in 2001 with the film Rokhsareh. Through the early 2000s, he built his reputation with performances in The Fifth Reaction and Redemption at 8:20, the latter earning a nomination for a Crystal Simorgh at the Fajr Film Festival. His breakthrough arrived in 2008 when he won the Crystal Simorgh for Best Actor for his performance as Kourosh Zand in Superstar. He continued to receive critical notice for his work in Asghar Farhadi's films, specifically About Elly and A Separation.
International Recognition
Hosseini reached a global audience in 2011 when he shared the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival for his contribution to the ensemble cast of A Separation. His performance as Emad in the 2016 film The Salesman secured him the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2019, the French government acknowledged his contributions to cinema by awarding him the Legion of Honour. His filmography also includes directorial work, starting with his 2014 debut Resident of the Middle Floor.
Fast facts
- Born: 3 February 1974, Tehran
- Citizenship: Iran
- Film debut: Rokhsareh (2002)
- Cannes Best Actor: 2016 (The Salesman)
- Silver Bear: 2011 (A Separation)
- Legion of Honour: 2019
- Languages: Persian
- Occupations: Actor, producer, director, presenter
Questions readers ask
What is Shahab Hosseini's most significant international film award?
He won the Best Actor Award at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival for his performance in The Salesman.
Did Hosseini work in television before film?
Yes, he began his career in radio and television presenting and acting before entering the film industry with his 2002 cinematic debut.
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