Bahar Soomekh
Encyclopedia
Bahar Soomekh is an Iranian-American
actress and environmental activist. She began acting in the early 2000s, and is perhaps best known for her roles in the films Crash
(2004), Mission: Impossible III
(2006), and Saw III
(2006).
, Iran
, to a devout Persian Jewish
family. "Soomekh" is a common surname among the Iranian Jewish community and her name, "Bahar", means "spring" in Persian
. Bahar's mother was from Tehran
, and her father was from Hamadan
. She moved with her parents and sister, Saba Soomekh
, to Los Angeles
, United States
in 1979, to escape the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Bahar speaks fluent English
, Persian
, Spanish
, and some Hebrew. She attended Sinai Akiba Academy, a Yeshiva
, and Beverly Hills High School
, where she played the violin
in the school orchestra. She had played the violin for thirteen years. Bahar got her degree in environmental studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara. After university, she traveled throughout Europe
. Upon her return, Bahar began working at a corporate job in sales to pay off her debt from the trip. Bahar was miserable and unhappy working in the corporate job. She wanted to pursue her real passion, acting. So she took acting classes at night from 7PM to 2AM, before quitting her job to pursue an acting career.
. Her role on the fourth season of 24
, playing the role of Turkish terrorist Habib Marwan's wife, was edited out of the show; her scenes are preserved only in the deleted scenes section of the DVD. Bahar has later appeared in several films, including Academy Award
-winning movies Crash
(2004) as Dorri, and Syriana
(2005) as Yassi. Bahar got some more attention playing Davian's Translator in Mission: Impossible III
(2006). That same year, Bahar was one of 100 Most beautiful people in the world, as named by People
. She had one of the lead roles in the horror film
Saw III
, which began filming in May and was theatrically released on October 27, 2006. In the same year, she portrayed Margo on the television series Day Break
until 2007. In the next five years, she appeared in two pilots of televisions shows, The Oaks
(2008) and Lost & Found
(2009), which were not picked up, and had guest roles in Ghost Whisperer
, Miami Medical, and Castle
. Bahar also appeared in the movie Just Like a Woman
.
developed who she is and enriched her life and that she would like to raise her children in the Jewish religion
. Soomekh married Clayton Frech, VP of Operations for Classic Party Rentals, who converted to Judaism
in order to marry her, in 2001. They have a son, Ezra, born in 2005 and are currently expecting another child in 2009. They celebrate Shabbat
every Friday night with their family, attend synagogue
frequently, and celebrate the Jewish holidays. Bahar has said that one important Jewish teaching for her is tikkun olam
, since she is an environmentalist
. She is very proud of her Jewish Persian
heritage and told Isaac Mizrahi
at the Oscars, "Just because I'm in Hollywood doesn't mean that I forget that I'm Persian
or that I'm Jewish. Judaism is not only my religion—it's my identity".
, to heal the world, guides Bahar's life. She works on environmental and children's causes. Bahar also uses her name to be involved with organizations like the Green Cross
. "I have the ability to use my name and be involved with such phenomenal organizations like the Green Cross … and the Rainforest Action Network (RAN), which was an organization I started raising money for when I was a kid, and then here I am coming back and I'm working with them now," Soomkeh says. "But also a huge issue for me has become limb deficiency for kids around the world. Kids that are neglected because of some sort of disability—you see that a lot in China and you see that in Africa—I think that's a very important thing". With her husband, she launced the T.O. Productions to make movies about environmental and social issues.
Iranian-American
Iranian-Americans are Americans of Iranian ancestry or people possessing Iranian and American dual citizenship.Iranian-Americans are amongst the most highly educated groups in the United States...
actress and environmental activist. She began acting in the early 2000s, and is perhaps best known for her roles in the films Crash
Crash (2004 film)
Crash is a 2004 American drama film co-written, produced, and directed by Paul Haggis. The film is about racial and social tensions in Los Angeles, California. A self-described "passion piece" for Haggis, Crash was inspired by a real life incident in which his Porsche was carjacked outside a video...
(2004), Mission: Impossible III
Mission: Impossible III
Mission: Impossible III is a 2006 spy film, the third based on the spy-themed television series Mission: Impossible starring Tom Cruise who reprises his role of IMF agent Ethan Hunt....
(2006), and Saw III
Saw III
Saw III is a 2006 Canadian-American horror film directed by Darren Lynn Bousman from a screenplay by Leigh Whannell and story by James Wan and Whannell. Wan and Whannell directed and wrote Saw and Bousman wrote and directed Saw II. It is the third film in the seven-part Saw film series and stars...
(2006).
Early life
Bahar was born in TehranTehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, to a devout Persian Jewish
Persian Jews
Persian Jews , are Jews historically associated with Iran, traditionally known as Persia in Western sources.Judaism is one of the oldest religions practiced in Iran. The Book of Esther contains some references to the experiences of Jews in Persia...
family. "Soomekh" is a common surname among the Iranian Jewish community and her name, "Bahar", means "spring" in Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
. Bahar's mother was from Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, and her father was from Hamadan
Hamadan
-Culture:Hamadan is home to many poets and cultural celebrities. The city is also said to be among the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.Handicrafts: Hamadan has always been well known for handicrafts like leather, ceramic, and beautiful carpets....
. She moved with her parents and sister, Saba Soomekh
Saba Soomekh
Saba Soomekh is an Iranian-born American professor and writer.Soomekh was born in Teheran, Iran to a Persian Jewish family that moved to Los Angeles, California to escape the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Saba is a sister to actress Bahar Soomekh...
, to Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1979, to escape the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Bahar speaks fluent English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
, Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, and some Hebrew. She attended Sinai Akiba Academy, a Yeshiva
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
, and Beverly Hills High School
Beverly Hills High School
Beverly Hills High School is the only major public high school in Beverly Hills, California. Beverly is part of the Beverly Hills Unified School District and located on on the west side of Beverly Hills, at the...
, where she played the violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
in the school orchestra. She had played the violin for thirteen years. Bahar got her degree in environmental studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara. After university, she traveled throughout Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Upon her return, Bahar began working at a corporate job in sales to pay off her debt from the trip. Bahar was miserable and unhappy working in the corporate job. She wanted to pursue her real passion, acting. So she took acting classes at night from 7PM to 2AM, before quitting her job to pursue an acting career.
Career
In the beginning of her career, Soomekh guest starred on several television shows, including two different roles on JAGJAG (TV series)
JAG is an American adventure/legal drama television show that was produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television and, for the first season only, NBC Productions...
. Her role on the fourth season of 24
24 (TV series)
24 is an American television series produced for the Fox Network and syndicated worldwide, starring Kiefer Sutherland as Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer. Each 24-episode season covers 24 hours in the life of Bauer, using the real time method of narration...
, playing the role of Turkish terrorist Habib Marwan's wife, was edited out of the show; her scenes are preserved only in the deleted scenes section of the DVD. Bahar has later appeared in several films, including Academy Award
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
-winning movies Crash
Crash (2004 film)
Crash is a 2004 American drama film co-written, produced, and directed by Paul Haggis. The film is about racial and social tensions in Los Angeles, California. A self-described "passion piece" for Haggis, Crash was inspired by a real life incident in which his Porsche was carjacked outside a video...
(2004) as Dorri, and Syriana
Syriana
Syriana is a 2005 geopolitical thriller film written and directed by Stephen Gaghan, and executive produced by George Clooney, who also stars in the film with an ensemble cast. Gaghan's screenplay is loosely adapted from Robert Baer's memoir See No Evil...
(2005) as Yassi. Bahar got some more attention playing Davian's Translator in Mission: Impossible III
Mission: Impossible III
Mission: Impossible III is a 2006 spy film, the third based on the spy-themed television series Mission: Impossible starring Tom Cruise who reprises his role of IMF agent Ethan Hunt....
(2006). That same year, Bahar was one of 100 Most beautiful people in the world, as named by People
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
. She had one of the lead roles in the horror film
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
Saw III
Saw III
Saw III is a 2006 Canadian-American horror film directed by Darren Lynn Bousman from a screenplay by Leigh Whannell and story by James Wan and Whannell. Wan and Whannell directed and wrote Saw and Bousman wrote and directed Saw II. It is the third film in the seven-part Saw film series and stars...
, which began filming in May and was theatrically released on October 27, 2006. In the same year, she portrayed Margo on the television series Day Break
Day Break
Day Break is a television program for which one 13-episode season was produced. The series starred Taye Diggs as Detective Brett Hopper, who is framed for the murder of Assistant District Attorney Alberto Garza. Due to a time loop, Hopper lives the same day over and over...
until 2007. In the next five years, she appeared in two pilots of televisions shows, The Oaks
The Oaks
- England :* The Oaks *The Oaks, Ascot, an 18th century country mansion later re-named the Royal Berkshire- United States :* The Oaks , listed on the NRHP in Colbert County, Alabama...
(2008) and Lost & Found
Lost & Found
Lost and Found is the fourth studio album released by Will Smith. It was released in the spring of 2005 and was certified gold by the RIAA. This album features the single "Switch".-Background:...
(2009), which were not picked up, and had guest roles in Ghost Whisperer
Ghost Whisperer
Ghost Whisperer is an American television supernatural drama, which ran on CBS from September 23, 2005 to May 21, 2010.The series follows the life of Melinda Gordon , who has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts...
, Miami Medical, and Castle
Castle (TV series)
Castle is an American comedy-drama television series, which premiered on ABC on March 9, 2009. The series is produced by Beacon Pictures and ABC Studios. On January 10, 2011, Castle was renewed for a fourth season...
. Bahar also appeared in the movie Just Like a Woman
Just Like a Woman
Just Like a Woman is a 1992 British film by Christopher Monger starring Julie Walters, Adrian Pasdar and Paul Freeman. Gerald, a finance executive , finds himself thrown out by his wife when she discovers women's underwear in their flat; in fact the clothes belong to him. He takes lodgings with...
.
Family and religion
Bahar has said that JudaismJudaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
developed who she is and enriched her life and that she would like to raise her children in the Jewish religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
. Soomekh married Clayton Frech, VP of Operations for Classic Party Rentals, who converted to Judaism
Conversion to Judaism
Conversion to Judaism is a formal act undertaken by a non-Jewish person who wishes to be recognised as a full member of the Jewish community. A Jewish conversion is both a religious act and an expression of association with the Jewish people...
in order to marry her, in 2001. They have a son, Ezra, born in 2005 and are currently expecting another child in 2009. They celebrate Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
every Friday night with their family, attend synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
frequently, and celebrate the Jewish holidays. Bahar has said that one important Jewish teaching for her is tikkun olam
Tikkun olam
Tikkun olam is a Hebrew phrase that means "repairing the world." In Judaism, the concept of tikkun olam originated in the early rabbinic period...
, since she is an environmentalist
Environmentalist
An environmentalist broadly supports the goals of the environmental movement, "a political and ethical movement that seeks to improve and protect the quality of the natural environment through changes to environmentally harmful human activities"...
. She is very proud of her Jewish Persian
Persian Jews
Persian Jews , are Jews historically associated with Iran, traditionally known as Persia in Western sources.Judaism is one of the oldest religions practiced in Iran. The Book of Esther contains some references to the experiences of Jews in Persia...
heritage and told Isaac Mizrahi
Isaac Mizrahi
Isaac Mizrahi is an American TV presenter, fashion designer, and was the creative director of Liz Claiborne. He is best known for his eponymous fashion lines.-Early life:...
at the Oscars, "Just because I'm in Hollywood doesn't mean that I forget that I'm Persian
Persian people
The Persian people are part of the Iranian peoples who speak the modern Persian language and closely akin Iranian dialects and languages. The origin of the ethnic Iranian/Persian peoples are traced to the Ancient Iranian peoples, who were part of the ancient Indo-Iranians and themselves part of...
or that I'm Jewish. Judaism is not only my religion—it's my identity".
Activism
The teaching of tikkun olamTikkun olam
Tikkun olam is a Hebrew phrase that means "repairing the world." In Judaism, the concept of tikkun olam originated in the early rabbinic period...
, to heal the world, guides Bahar's life. She works on environmental and children's causes. Bahar also uses her name to be involved with organizations like the Green Cross
Green Cross International
Green Cross International is an environmental organisation founded by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1993, building upon the work started by the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil...
. "I have the ability to use my name and be involved with such phenomenal organizations like the Green Cross … and the Rainforest Action Network (RAN), which was an organization I started raising money for when I was a kid, and then here I am coming back and I'm working with them now," Soomkeh says. "But also a huge issue for me has become limb deficiency for kids around the world. Kids that are neglected because of some sort of disability—you see that a lot in China and you see that in Africa—I think that's a very important thing". With her husband, she launced the T.O. Productions to make movies about environmental and social issues.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 2002 in film The year 2002 in film involved some significant events. The first significant releases of sequels took place between The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Men in Black II, Analyze That, Spy Kids 2: The Island of... |
Without a Trace Without a Trace Without a Trace is an American television drama which originally ran on CBS from September 26, 2002 to May 19, 2009. The series was set in New York City and concerned a fictitious FBI Missing Persons Unit.-Premise:... (TV) |
Lemese Salman | |
| JAG JAG (TV series) JAG is an American adventure/legal drama television show that was produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television and, for the first season only, NBC Productions... (TV) |
Amira Sattar (2004) and Jasmine (2002) | (2002–2004) | |
| 2003 2003 in film The year 2003 in film involved some significant events. Releases of sequels took place with movies like The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, Pokémon Heroes, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,... |
Naked Hotel | Bhurka Woman | |
| 2004 2004 in film The year 2004 in film involved some significant events. Major releases of sequels took place. It included blockbuster films like Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Passion of the Christ, Meet the Fockers, Blade: Trinity, Spider-Man 2, Alien vs. Predator, Kill Bill Vol... |
Intermission | Hair Wearer | |
| Crash Crash (2004 film) Crash is a 2004 American drama film co-written, produced, and directed by Paul Haggis. The film is about racial and social tensions in Los Angeles, California. A self-described "passion piece" for Haggis, Crash was inspired by a real life incident in which his Porsche was carjacked outside a video... |
Dorri | ||
| A Lousy Ten Grand | Najah | ||
| 2005 2005 in film - Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2005... |
24 24 (TV series) 24 is an American television series produced for the Fox Network and syndicated worldwide, starring Kiefer Sutherland as Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer. Each 24-episode season covers 24 hours in the life of Bauer, using the real time method of narration... (TV) |
Habib Marwan's Wife | (deleted scenes) |
| Bones Bones (TV series) Bones is an American crime drama television series that premiered on the Fox Network on September 13, 2005. The show is based on forensic anthropology and forensic archaeology, with each episode focusing on an FBI case file concerning the mystery behind human remains brought by FBI Special Agent... (TV) |
Sahar Masruk | ||
| Syriana Syriana Syriana is a 2005 geopolitical thriller film written and directed by Stephen Gaghan, and executive produced by George Clooney, who also stars in the film with an ensemble cast. Gaghan's screenplay is loosely adapted from Robert Baer's memoir See No Evil... |
Yassi | (Director's Uncut Version) | |
| 2006 2006 in film - Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2006... |
In Justice In Justice In Justice is an American television police procedural created by Michelle King and Robert King. The series began airing on Sunday, January 1, 2006 on ABC as a midseason replacement and assumed its regular night and time on Friday, January 6, 2006 at 9 p.m. EST. It was cancelled after its... (TV) |
Neena Oponi | |
| Mission: Impossible III Mission: Impossible III Mission: Impossible III is a 2006 spy film, the third based on the spy-themed television series Mission: Impossible starring Tom Cruise who reprises his role of IMF agent Ethan Hunt.... |
Davian's Translator | ||
| The Unit The Unit The Unit is an American action-drama television series that focuses on a top-secret military unit modeled after the real-life U.S. Army special operations unit commonly known as Delta Force... (TV) |
Firefly | ||
| Day Break Day Break Day Break is a television program for which one 13-episode season was produced. The series starred Taye Diggs as Detective Brett Hopper, who is framed for the murder of Assistant District Attorney Alberto Garza. Due to a time loop, Hopper lives the same day over and over... (TV) |
Margo | (2006–2007) | |
| Saw III Saw III Saw III is a 2006 Canadian-American horror film directed by Darren Lynn Bousman from a screenplay by Leigh Whannell and story by James Wan and Whannell. Wan and Whannell directed and wrote Saw and Bousman wrote and directed Saw II. It is the third film in the seven-part Saw film series and stars... |
Dr. Lynn Denlon | ||
| 2007 2007 in film This is a list of major films released in 2007.-Top grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2007... |
Saw IV Saw IV Saw IV is a 2007 Canadian-American horror film and midquel to 2006's Saw III. It was directed by Darren Lynn Bousman and written by newcomers Patrick Melton, Marcus Dunstan and Thomas Fenton. The film was released in North America on October 26, 2007... |
Dr. Lynn Denlon | (flashbacks from Saw III) |
| 2008 2008 in film This is a list of all major films made in 2008.-Highest-grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2008... |
Saw V Saw V Saw V is a 2008 Canadian-American horror film directed by David Hackl and written by Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan and stars Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor and Scott Patterson... |
Dr. Lynn Denlon | (flashbacks from Saw III) |
| The Oaks The Oaks (TV series) The Oaks was an American Supernatural drama television pilot, created by David Schulner for the Fox network's 2008/2009 season. The addition to the Fox line up was speculated to be a much needed high concept drama, purportedly to compete in ratings with ABC's Lost, Desperate Housewives, and Grey's... |
Hollis | ||
| Ghost Whisperer Ghost Whisperer Ghost Whisperer is an American television supernatural drama, which ran on CBS from September 23, 2005 to May 21, 2010.The series follows the life of Melinda Gordon , who has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts... (TV) |
Tricia | Episode 4.06 "Imaginary Friends and Enemies" | |
| 2009 2009 in film The year 2009 saw the release of many films. Seven made the top 50 list of highest-grossing films, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that as of this year, their Best Picture category would consist of ten nominees, rather than five .- Highest-grossing films :Please note... |
Saw VI Saw VI Saw VI is a 2009 horror film directed by Kevin Greutert from a screenplay written by Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan. It is the sixth installment of the seven–part Saw film series and stars Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Betsy Russell, Mark Rolston, Peter Outerbridge, and Shawnee Smith... |
Dr. Lynn Denlon | (flashbacks from Saw III) |
| Lost & Found (TV) | Abigail | ||
| 2010 2010 in film The year 2010 saw many new films released worldwide. 2010 saw a dramatic increase and prominence in the use of 3D-technology in filmmaking and film releases after the success of Avatar in the format, with releases such as Alice in Wonderland, Clash of the Titans, Jackass 3D, all animated films and... |
Saw 3D | Dr. Lynn Denlon | (flashbacks from Saw III) |
| Miami Medical (TV) | Vanessa | Episode 1.08 "An Arm and a Leg" (2010) | |
| 2011 2011 in film The year 2011 is notable for containing the release of the most film sequels in a single year, at 27 sequels. The following tables list films that are in production or have completed production and will be released in the United States and Canada at some point in 2011.- Highest-grossing films :... |
Castle Castle (TV series) Castle is an American comedy-drama television series, which premiered on ABC on March 9, 2009. The series is produced by Beacon Pictures and ABC Studios. On January 10, 2011, Castle was renewed for a fourth season... (TV) |
Nazihah Alhabi | Episode 3.16 "Setup" (2011) |
| 2012 2012 in film The following tables list films that are in production or have completed production and will be released in the United States and Canada at some point in 2012... |
Just Like a Woman | Soha | (completed) |