'The Kite Runner' actor Homayoun Ershadi (78) dies of cancer
What's the story
Homayoun Ershadi, the Iranian actor best known for his roles in Taste of Cherry and The Kite Runner, has passed away at 78. Iran's state news agency IRNA reported that he died on Tuesday, November 11, after a long battle with cancer. May he rest in peace.
Career beginnings
Ershadi got into acting coincidentally
Ershadi's journey into acting was not a conventional one. Initially an architect, he was nearly 50 when he got his first significant role in the 1997 Cannes Palme d'Or-winning film Taste of Cherry. This opportunity came about unexpectedly when a director approached him at a red light in Tehran, asking if he'd like to be part of his film.
Background
From architecture to cinema: His career switch
Born in Isfahan on March 26, 1947, Ershadi spent the 1980s in Vancouver after the Islamic Revolution. He worked for over a decade at an architectural firm before returning to Iran and switching careers to acting. His debut role was as a man looking for someone to bury him under a cherry tree after his planned suicide - a performance that launched him into an illustrious career with over 90 credits in around 30 years.
International fame
International acclaim and notable roles
Ershadi's international fame skyrocketed with his portrayal of Baba, the father figure in the 2007 film The Kite Runner. The story revolves around two boys growing up in Kabul during the 1970s. His other notable international works include Agora (2009), Zero Dark Thirty (2012), and Hassan Nazer's UK-set drama Utopia (2015).