From classroom to screen: Iranian actors who started as teachers

May 1st (Ordibehesht 12th in the Persian calendar) marks National Teacher’s Day in Iran, a time to celebrate the profound impact of educators.

While teaching is often seen as a noble profession, for some Iranian artists, it served as a stepping stone to their eventual careers in the world of acting.

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Seyyed Javad Hashemi, known for his roles associated with the front, war, and martyrdom, spent many years as a teacher before gracing the silver screen.

From a young age of 17, Hashemi found himself in the classroom, where his youthful appearance sometimes led to mistaken identities with his students.

Despite his notable acting roles in productions like ‘White-Forehead Gazelle’ and ‘Dirty Money’, teaching remained a significant part of his life.

Mehran Rajabi, a prominent figure in Iranian cinema and television, began his journey in acting in 1996 with ‘Hemmat School Kids’.

Despite two decades of teaching experience, Rajabi transitioned to acting full-time, leaving behind the classroom dramas for the ones on the screen.

Zohreh Hamidi's brief stint of two years as a teacher at different levels provided her with a unique perspective as she ventured into acting.

Portraying a math teacher in ‘No Men Allowed’, Hamidi seamlessly bridged her experiences in front of the camera with her brief teaching tenure.

Mahvash Vaqari and her late husband Mohsen Qazi-Moradi, both retired educators, met not on set but at the Ministry of Education.

Despite her love for teaching, Vaqari retired early to pursue acting, leaving behind a legacy that intertwines both professions.

Sirous Hemmati, a multi-talented individual with roles as an actor, director, and stage designer, also boasts a background as a math teacher.

Combining the complexities of mathematics with the art of acting, Hemmati found success in productions like ‘The Lizard’ and ‘Goodbye Child’.

Zahra Saeedi, an actress and retired teacher, found herself torn between her passion for teaching and acting.

Despite prioritizing teaching upon the advice of her family, she eventually delved into acting, enriching productions like ‘The Days of Life’ and ‘Setayesh’ with her talent.

As we honor teachers today, let us also acknowledge the diverse paths that individuals take, from the classroom to the world of cinema.

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