Iranian actor, theater director Kourosh Zarei passes away

Actor of ‘Prophet Joseph’ and theater director Kourosh Zarei passed away at the age of 55 at his home on Sunday.

The actor died due to complications from an illness he had been suffering from over the past two years.

A well-known figure in Iran’s performing arts, he was particularly influential in the development of religious, revolutionary and popular theater.

He served as director of the Art Bureau’s Center for Dramatic Arts, where he worked to support and expand theater activities across the country for several years.

Promoting mosque-based theater, organizing theatrical events and producing works centered on religious rituals and resistance were among his major contributions.

One of Zarei’s best-known roles was Lavi, the elder brother of Prophet Joseph, in the popular television series ‘Prophet Joseph’.

Following news of his death, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi, Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) Peyman Jebelli, and many other art and culture officials issued separate messages of condolence, describing Zarei’s passing as a loss for the country’s artistic community and cultural memory.

“The passing of the committed artist, the late Kourosh Zarei, is a profound grief for the cultural and media community. The art career of the late Kourosh Zarei was a resonant manifestation of authentic culture and a sincere, heartfelt commitment,” part of Jebelli’s message reads.