Tehran Von Ghasri, or simply Tehran Ghasri (Persian: تهران قصری, Persian pronunciation: [tehrɑːn ɢæsriː]), professionally known as Tehran formerly Tehran SoParvaz, is an American international comedian, actor, television, podcast, and radio personality, entertainer 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
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]
Career
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.[6] followed by a performance by Maz Jobrani at George Washington University which Maz encouraged him to move to Los Angeles and pursue comedy full time. Tehran has a J.D. degree and holds degrees in international politics, and economics from George Mason University.[7] Tehran went viral for his story being told on VOA favorite, Parazit.
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 premier 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 talk show on Pivot. Tehran performs stand-up comedy in venues all over the world, and is a favorite at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles.[7] Tehran created and hosts Comedy Bazaar, the longest running Middle Eastern comedy show, as well as the inclusive Tehran Thursday. Both are staple shows at the Laugh Factory.
In 2017, he was a panelist on several season 4 episodes of the AfterBuzz TV aftershow podcast for the American television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D..
Tehran has been in several 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 Fox SoMe panel show, daily contributor on Take Part Live, and regular on Fox Soul. Tehran's comedy style has been noted as very unique with elements of Dave Chappelle meets Maz Jobrani, whom he often tours with. Tehran has produced and taken part in many shows focused on bringing people together and world peace, most notably Comedy 4 Peace aimed at united in the Middle East with focuses on Israel and Palestinian relations with comedian Erik Angel. Tehran cites his personal journey and cultural connections as inspirations for his comedy seeking to unite people through laughter.
Filmography
Film
| 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 |
Television
| 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
| 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
References
- ^ "The Tehrangeles series Tehran Von Ghasri". BROWNBOOK. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ "Tehran Von Ghasri". LA Review of Books. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ "Imperfect Gentleman Says Being Persian Is Hip". npr. March 20, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ "Presenter Spotlight 2015: Comedian Tehran Von Ghasri". mixedremixed. May 1, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ "About Tehran". I Am Tehran. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
- ^ "Minutes with Max Amini: Tehran FARSI Interview" (Video). YouTube (in Persian). January 27, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
- ^ a b "Tehran Ghasri – Actor/Comedian". Pars Times. Retrieved May 28, 2017.