By Iman Sadri
September 15, 2024
Nazanin Nour is a mult-talented Iranian American actress, stand-up comedian, writer, producer, host, filmmaker, TV presenter and activist. Her wit and on screen persona catapulted to her to becoming a judge on Persia’s Got Talent – along with Ebi and Arash. Her acting has been seen her in a myriad of television appearances and episodics. Nazanin’s on screen work in The Last King has gained critical acclaim and the film is poised for many awards circuit festivals. Nazanin routinely appears on local Los Angeles news, talking about her acting and activism. Nazanin most recently was a correspondent at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Nazanin is a rare talent who encompasses a wide range fields in Showbiz. From impeccable acting on screen with a bravada that makes it hard to believe the viewer is watching acting to stand-up comedy. We saw first hand on the set of The Last King Nazanin’s acting was unmatched and her performance was immensely impactful. Nazanin has also recently launched a video series interviewing actors and comedians.
To catch up with Nazanin Nour, we met up for dinner at Avra in Beverly Hills, in late August 2024.
The Persian Observer : Describe your early life, education and upbringing ?
Nazanin Nour : I was born and raised in Arlington, VA, which is in Northern Virginia and borders Washington, DC. I had a happy childhood. Grew up around other Iranian families and kids, as well as other immigrant families and kids. We were always surrounded by love and culture and happiness. My parents wanted to raise us with a strong tie to our Iranian roots, and spoke Persian to me first so technically Persian was my first language, but I spoke it simultaneously with English. I went to Persian School every Saturday for 8 years, so I learned to read and write Persian, as well as Persian and traditional dance, and music. Fun fact, Tehran and I went to pre school together, as well as attended the same Pesian school for a while. His father was friends with my parents in University. I loved reading, and began reading at 3 years old. I loved performing. I did theater in pre school, elementary, middle, and high school. I played violin all through school as well. I loved learning instruments so I took piano and santoor classes. I thought acting and performing were just meant to be a passion or hobby for me, and only dreamt of being on TV, in film, and on stage as a profession. I thought I’d make a great lawyer, so I was pre law at George Mason University thinking I’d go to law school. I double majored in 1) Government and International Politics 2) Communications, and Minored in Media Criticism.
The Persian Observer : What were the earliest inspirations growing up that drew you to a career in entertainment ?
Nazanin Nour : I was an only child until I was 6 so I entertained myself at home by recording songs I made up, or lining up my dolls and putting on shows for them and my parents. I just loved the idea of dressing up and pretending and being dramatic and funny. Watching sitcoms and movies with my parents really made me want to me in the things we were watching. As I got older, seeing people like Nasim Pedrad on SNL, Maz Jobrani on stage, and Shohreh Aghdashloo in films really made me believe this was something I could do, because people who looked like me, had names like me, had a background like me were doing it too.
The Persian Observer : What were your Top 3 favorite films that inspired you the most to pursue a career in entertainment ?
Nazanin Nour : The Godfather. Aladdin. Clueless. Speed. Mrs. Doubtifre. I’m Gonna Git You Sucka and any classic rom com you could think of.
The Persian Observer : Who were your Top 3 favorite actors and actresses who left an influence you on you growing up ?
Nazanin Nour : Robert Deniro. Julia Roberts. Robin Williams.
The Persian Observer : What were your favorite TV shows growing up ?
Nazanin Nour : Saturday Night Live. In Living Color. The Fresh Prince. Three’s Company (reruns) Full House Perfect Strangers Family Matters Married With Children and Living Single.
The Persian Observer : What are your favorite TV shows on TV now / and in the last 15 years ?
Nazanin Nour : Beef. Ozark. Barry. Breaking Bad. Sopranos. Insecure. Abbott Elementary. You Dopesick. New Girl (and many more I can’t think of at the moment.)
The Persian Observer : Describe the process of getting an agent / and manager ?
Nazanin Nour : I moved to New York and hustled to get my own auditions. After a bit of doing that, an ex boyfriend of mine actually connected me to a NY based manager and she met me and wanted to represent me. She got me my first agent as well.
The Persian Observer : Describe any high school, or college theatrical / drama training /
experiences ?
Nazanin Nour : I took theater in high school, and acted in school plays. I took a theater class at George Mason University, as well as broadcast journalism course. The journalism course is also where I learned I love to control the edit. The technicality and perfection of it excites me.
The Persian Observer : How did your role on Persia’s Got Talent come about ? Describe the experience on the show ?
Nazanin Nour : The producers of the show reached out to my manager and had originally asked if I’d be interested in being a host for the show. They had seen some of my viral sketch videos, and were looking for an Iranian American to be added to the cast. We had a Skype meeting, it went well, so a few days later they flew me out to Stockholm to meet network and production execs for final say. While I was there, though, a lot of casting was in flux and they asked “how about being a judge?” I was floored, terrified, and excited, which solidified for me that I had to do it. To have my first Persian language entertainment job be working alongside an icon whose music I have been singing since I was a toddler (Ebi joon), an international pop star who I’d been dancing and singing to for years (Arash) and an acclaimed and popular actress from Iran (Mahnaz) was an unforgettable experience. I was offered a contract before I left, and I signed.
I flew back to LA two days later, and three weeks later I was back in Stockholm to shoot the entire season! An absolute whirlwind, and one of the most incredible experiences of my life. And my dad was there with me for part of it, which made it extra special. We all had so much fun together, shooting, inside jokes, late night dinners and bonding sessions. It was amazing, and I still wish for another season to do it all again.
The Persian Observer : How did your role of Big Mouth come about ? Describe the experience of working on the show
Nazanin Nour : A friend of mine, who is a brilliant writer, comedian, and actor (Mitra Jouhari) wrote on the show. She recommended me for the part and I got it! It was hilarious because I recorded in a studio while the director and producers were on zoom with me. And one of the directors was Iranian, and I had to record an orgasm as part of one of the scenes. I felt like I was at a mehmooni doing this in front of uncles so it was equal parts hilarious and mortifying!
The Persian Observer : What are the keys to memorization of lines ?
Nazanin Nour : Line memorization comes easily to me, I think it stems from my early love for reading and singing and learning new words and performance. It’s just a matter of repetition, and sometimes pneumonic devices. I also like to do things while I’m running lines, whether it’s clean or cook or whatever, so it absorbs into my brain and body and becomes second nature.
The Persian Observer : How did your role of Salima come about on Madam Secretary ?
Nazanin Nour : A good old audition. I was cast off of tape on that one, from what I remember. And I remember shooting that audition on my old iphone in the corner of my bedroom while acting like I was at a funeral at a stunning church!
The Persian Observer : Describe your experience of being on the show ?
Nazanin Nour : Oh everyone was wonderful from start to finish. Tea Leoni couldn’t have been sweeter. It was a great experience.
The Persian Observer : Describe your role in The Last King ? How did the casting come about and how was the acting experience on the film ?
Nazanin Nour : Actually, my good friend Niousha Noor was supposed to play that part, but she was out of town shooting a Netflix series, so the director asked me if I’d do it. And of course I said I’d love to. The first Stephen King adaptation in Persian sounded very interesting, and I was in really good company alongside friends like Tara Grammy, Maz Jobrani, Tehran, Payam Banifaz, etc so it was a no brainer to say yes.
The Persian Observer : If you could play a biopic of a historical figure who would you play and
why ?
Nazanin Nour : CHER! I just love her and think she’s incredible. And those outfits from the 70’s would be a dream. And also any powerful figure from ancient Persian times. I’d love to play an Iranian queen or tribal leader who kicked ass and ruled a land. My background is Lor, so playing a specifically Lor tribal leader or something would be so bad ass.
The Persian Observer : What more can be done to get Iranian Americans in film / tv ?
Nazanin Nour : We have to keep writing for ourselves, and casting all of our talented friends in our projects. We have to take control of our own narratives and show Hollywood how compelling, funny, and beautiful our stories are. And we all have to make a lot of noise and support one another whenever fellow Iranians are on screen or behind the camera.
The Persian Observer : Describe some of your other TV roles in The Extant, Criminal Minds, All of You ?
Nazanin Nour : Well, All Of You I co wrote with my good friend, director Shahrzad Davani. I also acted in the film. It’s fun to collaborate with talented friends. It’s a horror/comedy, and we got into a lot of festivals, won a couple of awards, it was a great experience. It’s a really gratifying and motivating feeling to work on something from start to finish, and watch it flourish.
The Persian Observer : What does your daily schedule consist of now ?
Nazanin Nour : I’m working on a video podcast, and have already recorded the first few episodes. So, we’re currently in the edit for those, and I will start releasing episodes very soon. I’m recording new episodes on a weekly basis as well. I’m developing a couple of unscripted projects that I want to take out and pitch, so I work on those. And, thankfully, auditions have picked back up post strike, so I work on those when they come in. And I have something coming up which I will announce once it’s official!
The Persian Observer : If you could work with any actor / actress who would you want to work with and why ?
Nazanin Nour : I have always wanted to play Robert De Niro‘s daughter, so that would be a dream.I’d love to do something alongside Sandra Bullock because I’ve loved her forever (she’s also from Arlington, VA!).And I’d play any role opposite Denzel Washington because, come ON. Who wouldn’t? I’d also love to do a comedy, as well as a dark comedy like Barry or Beef, and there are so many uber talented people I’d want to do that with that I can’t even list all of them.
The Persian Observer : Describe your Wikipedia page as if you’re reading it when you’re 100 years old. What are some other career highlights you would like to see on there ?
Nazanin Nour : Nazanin Nour’s show went on to become wildly popular, spanning multiple seasons and featuring hundreds of talented guests. She starred in popular TV shows and films. Her dream of guest hosting Saturday Night Live came true. Her lifelong dream of playing Robert De Niro’s daughter, Cher, and an ancient Warrior Queen in Iran were realized.She launched her own network and production house. She created a non profit to support the issues she cares about the most. She was the first Iranian American to become an EGOT. She authored several best selling books. She hosted multiple awards shows to critical acclaim and wonderful reviews. And she was finally able to visit a free Iran.
Follow Nazanin Nour on social media @iamnazaninnour
