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Tehran Von Ghasri

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Tehran Von Ghasri
Born (1979-02-07) February 7, 1979 (age 45)
Washington, D.C., United States
MediumStand-up, film, television
NationalityAmerican
EducationGeorge Mason University Georgetown Law
Years active2012–present
GenresObservational comedy, Social commentary, Satire
Subject(s)
Websiteiamtehran.com

Tehran Von Ghasri, or simply Tehran Ghasri (Persian: تهران قصری, Persian pronunciation: [tehrɑːn ɢæsriː]), professionally known as Tehran formerly Tehran SoParvaz, is an American born international stand-up comedian, writer, actor, television, radio, and podcast personality, of African-American and Persian descent. Tehran was born and raised in Washington D.C. and surrounding Washington Metropolitan Area, beginning his career television hosting and curating exclusive events. Tehran is multilingual, performing stand-up comedy in primarily in English for US audiences but also Persian, conversational Arabic, Hebrew, and French internationally.[1][2][3][4]

Early life

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Tehran Von Ghasri was born in Washington D.C. to an immigrant Iranian father and African-American mother, who met in college. Named after Tehran, the capital of Iran, his parents chose the name "Tehran" as a reminder of his Persian roots with the name sounding African American as well.[5]

Being mixed Iranian and African-American, Tehran's background also includes Muslim and Zoroastrian paternal grandparents as well as a Christian maternal grandfather and Jewish maternal grandmother. Muslim, Zoroastrian, and Jewish roots and culture were prevalent in his upbringing having a large impact on him as a person.[6] Because of his diverse and inclusive upbringing it became important to Tehran to create a platform to express how humanity is much more alike than different and to use comedy to celebrate those differences rather than attack one another.

The name "Tehran" is unique to him due to his family lineage and history. The government of Iran's courts found the name counter to Islamic revolutionary law, sanctioning and banning the use of the name until recent. As such Tehran is the first and only person of Iranian heritage with the name "Tehran" with no cases of the name being used before 2020.[7]

Career

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In a television show launched by VOA Persian called Minutes with Max Amini, he revealed his long-time friendship with Max Amini and said that Amini was his first motivator to be a comedian.[8] followed by a performance by Maz Jobrani at George Washington University in 2012 with Maz encouraging him to move to Los Angeles and pursue comedy full time. Tehran has a J.D. degree and holds degrees in International Politics and Communications, and economics from George Mason University.[9]

Tehran has hosted his own radio and television shows on Rangarang and Tapesh satellite television, which are US-based Persian language television channels. Tehran rose to popularity in the Iranian diaspora after begin featured in the premiere episode of Parazit on VOA. After becoming very popular in the Iranian community and diaspora, Tehran has branched out and crossed over into the American and international markets. After being a guest, Tehran became a main host and daily contributor on Take Part Live, the prime daily social commentary and political talk show on Pivot. This led to a leading role on the Fox nationally televised panel show "So Me".

Tehran has been in several TV and film projects including Dane Cook's American Typecast, the Sean Stone directed Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece, and featured in Maz Jobrani's project Jimmy Vestvood. Tehran has also been a main host on the national Fox "So-Me" panel show, daily host on Pivot's flagship show Take Part Live, The Young Turks, Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey, and regular on Fox Soul. Tehran has also hosted a variety of 'aftershows' including Fox's Empire, DC's Young Justice, Marvel's Agent's of S.H.I.E.L.D. and others. From 2015 - 2020, Tehran was a noted panelist on several episodes of AfterBuzz TV aftershow podcast for the American television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as well a variety of popular comic book related shows. With insightful Tehran hosted San Diego 2018 and Los Angeles Comic Con 2021.[10]

Participating in Just For Laughs and Netflix is a Joke, Tehran performs stand-up comedy in venues all over the world, and is a Los Angeles Laugh Factory favorite.[9] Tehran created and hosts Comedy Bazaar, the longest running Middle East and North African (MENA) themed comedy show, as well as the inclusive Tehran Thursday which he hosts weekly, the second longest running comedy show in Hollywood. Both are very popular tentpole shows at the Laugh Factory and the Hollywood comedy scene. During the Covid shutdown, Tehran hosted a daily variety comedy show alongside Craig Robinson.

Tehran's comedy style has been compared to a "unique comedic blend of good friends Dave Chappelle meets Maz Jobrani", whom he often collaborates and tours with. Known for social commentary, making hilarious but poignant points, and always having lots of new material, Tehran has produced and taken part in many shows focused on world peace, tolerance, love, understanding, and unity; most notably Comedy 4 Peace aimed at uniting the Middle East and North Africa with a current focus on peaceful Israel and Palestinian relations. Tehran is very socially active in regards to fighting injustice, oppression, and disenfranchisement globally. Tehran cites his personal journey and cultural connections as inspirations for his comedy seeking to unite people through laughter.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2015 Maul Dogs Tehran Snipes Supporting role
2016 Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero D.J. at Wedding Supporting role
2018 Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece Count Blackula
2019 American Typecast Nick
2024 Angels Fallen: Warriors of Peace Barnabus

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2014 GGN: Snoop Dogg's Double G News Network Kool-Aid Man Episode: "GGN How to Be Kool - Snoop & the Kool-Aid Man"
2015 Get Your Life Sketchy Waterer Guy Episode: "Girl Get Your NYPTSD"
2018 Pennies for Your Thoughts Charlie
2018–2019 The Real Witches of West Hollywood Ray J

Other work

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Year Title Role Notes
2012 Shahs of Sunset Himself Episode: "Please Bring a Man"
Documentary
2013 @SummerBreak Himself 2 episodes
2014 A Splash of Nowruz Himself Documentary short
TakePart Live Himself - Daily Contributor 86 episodes
Revolt Live Himself Daily Contributor
Speed Date Inn Cool Short film
2015 NOWRUZ: Lost and Found Documentary
2016 SoMe Himself 8 episodes
2017 Nowrooz 1396 Ceremony Himself TV special
2018 Travel Ban Himself Documentary
Penny For Your Thoughts Charlie TV Series
Fury of the Fist Count Blackula Film
The Real Witches of Hollywood Ray J TV Series
2019 American Typecast Nick Film
2019 The Persian Bachelorette Constestant Short Film
2021 Friendz Ahmad TV Movie
2022 The Social Meltdown Tehran Show Host Short Film
2023 The Last King Malek Film
2023 Angel's Fallen: Warriors of Peace Barnabus Film

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Tehrangeles series Tehran Von Ghasri". BROWNBOOK. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  2. ^ "Tehran Von Ghasri". LA Review of Books. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  3. ^ "Imperfect Gentleman Says Being Persian Is Hip". npr. March 20, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  4. ^ "Presenter Spotlight 2015: Comedian Tehran Von Ghasri". mixedremixed. May 1, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  5. ^ "About Tehran". I Am Tehran. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  6. ^ "Jewish Telegraph Agency". jtaa.org. December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  7. ^ "CivilLawlegallegislation".
  8. ^ "Minutes with Max Amini: Tehran FARSI Interview" (Video). YouTube (in Persian). January 27, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Tehran Ghasri – Actor/Comedian". Pars Times. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  10. ^ "The Passage Cast At Comic-Con 2018". Retrieved July 27, 2024 – via YouTube.
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