David Diaan

David Diaan
Occupation Actor, writer, and producer
Years active 1992–present
Website http://www.sublimeentertainment.com

David Diaan, also known as David Davoodian, is a Los Angeles–based actor, writer, producer, and entrepreneur. He is best known for his roles in films such as The Stoning of Soraya M., America So Beautiful. The Dogwalker, The Ten, Peep World, and Mossadegh. He has also appeared on television shows such as NCIS, Weeds, Parks and Recreation and The Unit.[1]

Early life

He was born Fariborz Davoodian in Iran during the era of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. His father, Elias Davoodian, was a textile distributor who had built a reputation as a trustworthy businessman. As a hobby, David's father Elias, would produce and act in community theater productions and was quite popular in his small town in Iran. His mother, Eshrat Moluk, was born into a family of prominent physicians. As a young girl, she possessed a gift for singing, but her strict parents never allowed her to perform professionally. His parents' appreciation of performing arts were an early influence on Diaan's aspirations in the entertainment industry.

Education and Career

At the age of 16, Diaan moved to Columbia, Missouri in the Midwestern United States, where he attended David H. Hickman High School. Afterwards, he went on the study Radio, Television and Journalism at the prestigious University of Missouri. However, David's ambitions of returning to his homeland to become a famous talk show host were postponed due to the sudden changes in the social and political climate of his country after the Iranian Revolution. Iran and the United States had at this point become enemies. Left virtually stranded away from home, David took a job as a marketing agent for a national houseware wholesaler to earn his tuition money. Prior to finishing college, David had already established himself as successful young entrepreneur. Soon after, he moved to Los Angeles, California and co-founded The Express Group, Inc. which later transformed into deliverLA.com. Among his other entrepreneurial endeavors is his partnership in SOGOLI, Inc., a company which designs and manufactures high end custom jewelry in the United States and exports to various countries.

Artistic career

Diaan's experience in the entertainment industry began when he started "Liquid Productions" in Los Angeles, California together with other talents such as now well-known comedian Maz Jobrani. This young group wrote and produced the first Iranian/American play in English which became an instant hit amongst the younger generation.His popular theater company which produced successful shows such as The Belind Date, The 99 Cent Family and Death Comedy has toured across the United States and Canada. Since then, Diaan has written and produced multiple theatrical plays, hosted his own popular radio show on KIRN 670 AM, and produced and hosted a television show for channel one TV named “ It's a mad mad mad mad world". His television show reached millions of Iranians worldwide through satellite and internet.

Despite the risks attached to this journey, Diaan returned to his homeland after 24 years in the summer of 2000, to direct and produce the touching and informative documentary Iran is My Home. This film was an official selection at the IFP Los Angeles Film Festival. In 2004 he took his first stab at screenplay writing for a feature film entitled The Apology. The screenplay won first prize at the Slamdance Film Festival's screenplay competition.[2] Diaan’s production company, Sublime Entertainment, has produced independent feature films such as Otis E. starring Kevin Durand and Peter Storemare, America So Beautiful and The Dogwalker. Diaan's dramatic performance alongside Academy Award nominee, Shohreh Aghdashloo in The Stoning of Soraya M.,[3] earned him high praise and excellent reviews. In 2012, his performance as prime minister Mossadegh, in a film by the same title, earned him the best actor prize at the San Antonio Film Festival.

Personal life

Diaan resides in Los Angeles, California with his family. He travels with his theater group to different cities and communities across the United States and Canada. He also contributes much of his time and talent to various charitable organizations.

Filmography

Year Film Role
2001 America So Beautiful Character Parvis, Executive Producer
2002 The DogWalker Angry Client
2002 I Call Myself Persian Himself
2002 Irangeles Hamid Azizi
2003 Iran Is My Home Director, Producer
2004 Air Mr. Amrani
2004 Art School Confidential Future Critic
2007 The Ten Landlord
2008 The Stoning of Soraya M. Ebrahim
2009 Speaking of Baghdad Hesitant Man
2009 Otis E. Hamid, Producer
2009 Colony The Trader
2010 Peep World Hari
2010 Nose Job Roya's Father
2011 Mossadegh Mohammad Mossadegh
2012 Revolution Ahmad
2012 Argo Voice Over
2013 Silk Samir
2014 The Interview Palestinian President (uncredited)
2015 In Her Place Ali
2015 Baba Joon Darius

Television Work

Year Show Role
2008 The Unit: Shadow Riders (#4.9) The Vet
2008 Quarterlife: Home Sweet Home (#1.6) Victor
2010 Weeds: Viking Pride (#6.11) Daoud Mahmud
2010 Weeds: Fran Tarkenton (#6.12) Daoud Mahmud
2010 Parks and Recreation: Leslie's House (#2.14) Said
2011 NCIS: Safe Harbor (#9.5) Farid Bawali
2011 Wainy Days: Kelly and Arielle Part 2 Hotel Manager
2013 The Blacklist Bahram Bakhash
2013 Homeland Masud Sherazi
2014 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Elias
2015 Madam Secretary Shakya
2015 NCIS: Los Angeles Vakeel Shah
2015 Bones Omid Turan
2015 The Brink General Ahmed Ali

References

  1. "David Diaan". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2014-02-27.
  2. "Slamdance's door is open - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 2005-06-22. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
  3. N. "David Diaan Information". Fandango.com. Retrieved 2014-01-06.

External links

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