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Veteran Iranian screen actor Enayat Bakhshi dies at 80
Veteran Iranian stage and screen actor Enayat Bakhshi died early on Sunday, February 15, in Tehran after a prolonged illness. He was 80.
Bakhshi had been hospitalized for nearly two months and was treated for multiple health complications, including infection. He had also been admitted earlier this year, ISNA reported.
Born in April 1945, Bakhshi built a six-decade career spanning theater, cinema and television, carving out a durable presence in more than 170 productions. With his gravelly voice and imposing features, he was frequently cast in antagonist roles, a niche he once said left actors “overlooked and unrecognized” despite their craft.
He began his film career in 1970 with ‘Mr. Naive’ directed by Dariush Mehrjui, a landmark of Iran’s New Wave cinema. He went on to work with leading auteurs including Ali Hatami and Amir Naderi, consolidating his reputation as a dependable character actor able to anchor complex supporting roles.
His film credits include ‘The Deer,’ ‘Tangsir’ and ‘Killing Mad Dogs,’ works that helped define successive phases of post-revolutionary Iranian cinema. On television, he reached mass audiences in historical and religious epics such as ‘Imam Ali’ and ‘Sarbedaran,’ staples of state broadcasting that shaped the medium’s golden era.
Bakhshi remained active into his final years. His latest film, ‘Key Role,’ premiered at the Fajr Film Festival last year and is still on release. He received an honorary diploma for best supporting actor for the role, underscoring his enduring box-office draw at a time when Iran’s domestic industry is grappling with tighter budgets and a shrinking theatrical market.
In separate statements, the heads of Cinema Organization of Iran and state broadcaster hailed Bakhshi as a pillar of the country’s performing arts, praising his professional discipline and lasting imprint on the nation’s visual memory.