Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Nazanin Boniadi

Highest Rated: 76% Hotel Mumbai (2018)

Lowest Rated: 21% Shirin in Love (2014)

Birthday: May 22, 1980

Birthplace: Tehran, Iran

If ever there was an endorsement of the decision to eschew a career in medicine for one in show business, it is the life story of Nazanin Boniadi. Though she kicked off her academic career with plans to become a doctor, the Iran-born Boniadi realized soon enough that she was meant to live on the screen. After opting out of her medical studies, the actress found ample work on popular cable dramas, network sitcoms, and even a Marvel movie. Nazanin Boniadi was born on May 22, 1980 in Tehran, Iran, though she moved with her parents to London, England, almost immediately. An interest in performance came to Boniadi early, taking form principally in ballet and a guest appearance on the British children's television show "Early Bird" (Channel 4 1989-1992). However, Boniadi would devote her education to the field of medicine, going so far as to earn a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences (graduating with honors) from the University of California, Irvine. Later, in 2006, Boniadi shifted her interests back to the arts, beginning to land roles in films like the rock 'n' roll romantic comedy "Gameface" (2007) and television series like the dramedy "The Game" (The CW/BET 2006-15), as well as soap operas "General Hospital" (ABC 1963-) and its spinoff "General Hospital: Night Shift" (Soapnet 2007-08) simultaneously. With a boost in familiarity from these small-screen projects, Boniadi enjoyed a rather speedy takeoff into a successful acting career, landing a smaller role as news reporter Amira Ahmed in the major comic book blockbuster "Iron Man" (2008). The next two years would see Boniadi anchored principally to her "General Hospital" role - for which she'd earn an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series in 2008 - though she did feature in the romantic dramedy "Shades of Ray" (2008) and occasionally guest star on other popular TV shows like "24" (Fox 2001-10) and "Hawthorne" (TNT 2009-2011). Meanwhile, Boniadi explored philanthropy outside of acting, becoming a spokesperson for the human rights organization Amnesty International USA. In 2011, Boniadi began a substantial run on "How I Met Your Mother" (CBS 2005-2014) as Nora, a love interest for Neil Patrick Harris' series regular character Barney. This was likely the actress' most famous role until she joined the CIA drama "Homeland" (Showtime 2011-) in 2013, playing agency analyst Fara Sherazi. A year later, while still working on the Claire Danes-led program, Boniadi landed on a recurring role on Shonda Rhimes' Washington D.C. drama "Scandal" (ABC 2012-), playing political assassin Adnan Salif.

Show Less Show More

Highest rated movies

76% 88% Hotel Mumbai Watchlist 68% 84% Bombshell Watchlist
30% 62% Desert Dancer
Watchlist
25% 52% Ben-Hur Watchlist
21% 50% Shirin in Love
Watchlist
To Light a Candle
Watchlist
Diplomacy
Watchlist

Filmography

Movies

Credit
68% 84% Bombshell Rudi Bakhtiar (Character) $31.7M 2019
76% 88% Hotel Mumbai Zahra (Character) $9.6M 2018
25% 52% Ben-Hur Esther (Character) $26.4M 2016
30% 62% Desert Dancer Parisa Ghaffarian (Character) $153.5K 2015
21% 50% Shirin in Love Shirin (Character) - 2014
No Score Yet No Score Yet To Light a Candle Narrator - 2014
No Score Yet No Score Yet Diplomacy Persian Interpreter (Character) - 2009

TV

Credit
84% 49% The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Bronwyn (Character) 2022 2024
No Score Yet 54% The Kelly Clarkson Show Guest 2022
100% 90% Counterpart Clare (Character) 2018-2019
85% 86% Homeland Fara Sharazi (Character),
Fara Sherazi (Guest Star)
2013-2014
No Score Yet No Score Yet General Hospital Leyla Mir (Character) 1963 1993-1999 2002 2008-2014
93% 72% Scandal Adnan Salif (Guest Star) 2014
84% 85% How I Met Your Mother Nora (Guest Star) 2011 2014
84% 72% Grey's Anatomy Unknown (Guest Star) 2013
No Score Yet 80% CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Unknown (Guest Star) 2012
91% 87% Suits Lauren Pearl (Guest Star) 2011
87% 87% 24 Blonde Woman (Guest Star) 2010
16% No Score Yet The Deep End Unknown (Guest Star) 2010