Bahar Soomekh Explained

Bahar Soomekh
Native Name:بهار سومخ
Native Name Lang:Fa
Birth Date:30 March 1975
Birth Place:Tehran, Iran
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:2002–2014
Credits:Crash, Saw franchise
Children:3

Bahar Soomekh (Persian: بهار سومخ, born March 30, 1975) is an American former actress. She is best known for her roles in Crash and the Saw franchise.

Early life

Bahar was born in Tehran, Iran, to a devout Persian-Jewish family.[1] [2] She moved with her parents and sister, Saba Soomekh, to Los Angeles, California, United States in 1979 during the Islamic Revolution of Iran.[1] [3] [4] Soomekh attended Sinai Akiba Academy and Beverly Hills High School.[5] [6]

Bahar later attended the University of California, Santa Barbara.[2] She graduated in 1997 with a B.A. in environmental studies.[2]

Career

Following her graduation from UCSB, Soomekh worked in motivational sales while taking acting classes.[5] [6] In the beginning of her acting career, Soomekh guest starred on several television programs, including JAG and 24. She ultimately quit her day job to pursue acting full-time and landed her role in Crash less than three months later.[5] [6]

Soomekh's breakthrough role came as Dorri in the Academy Award-winning movie for Best Picture, Crash. Following her success in Crash, People magazine listed Soomekh as a member of the Class of 2006 as "New on the Scene".[7] She followed up with roles in Syriana and . In 2006, she had a leading role as Dr. Lynn Denlon in the horror film Saw III. Soomekh had a recurring role as Margo in the television series Day Break and guest appearances on shows such as Ghost Whisperer and . Her last film role was in Just like a Woman, released in 2012.

After the Southern California area experienced the loss of film industry jobs to other locations, Soomekh decided to pursue a real estate career to remain close to her family.[8] [9]

Personal life

Bahar married Clayton Frech in 2001.[2] The couple have three children.[2] One of their children, Ezra Frech, was born with a disability. He was a double silver Parapan American Games medalist in 2019 and was named as a finalist for the 2014 Sports Illustrated SportsKid of the Year.[10] [11] [12]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2002 Without a Trace Lemese Salman
JAG Jasmine Season 8, Episode 10 "The Killer"
2003 Naked Hotel Bhurka Woman
2004 JAG Amira Sattar Season 9, Episode 20 "Fighting Words"
Intermission Hair Wearer
Crash Dorri
A Lousy Ten Grand Najah
2005 24 Habib Marwan's Wife (deleted scenes)
Bones Sahar Masruk
Syriana Yassi (Director's Uncut Version)
2006 In Justice Neena Oponi
Davian's Translator
The Unit Firefly Season 2, Episode 1 "Change of Station"
Day Break Margo (2006–2007)
Saw III Lynn Denlon
2008 The Oaks Hollis Unaired TV pilot
Ghost Whisperer Tricia Season 4, Episode 6 "Imaginary Friends and Enemies"
2009 Lost & Found Abigail
2010 Miami Medical Vanessa Season 1, Episode 8 "An Arm and a Leg"
2011 Castle Nazihah Alhabi Season 3, Episode 16 "Setup"; Season 3, Episode 17 "Countdown"
Dr. Sylvia Sloane Season 12, Episode 10 "Genetic Dsorder"
2012 Parenthood Dr. Haryana Season 4, Episode 3 "Everything Is Not Okay"
Just like a Woman Soha
2014 Perception Yael Season 3, Episode 5 "Eternity"

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bahar Soomekh Prominent Iranian-Americans . usembassy.gov . July 21, 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131225013426/http://iran.usembassy.gov/baharsoomekh.html . December 25, 2013 .
  2. Rishon . Shais . May 13, 2016 . The Journeys of Six Jewish Americans . . July 21, 2016.
  3. News: Ghert-Zand . Renee . February 4, 2014 . Iranian Jewish scholar breaks stereotypes while studying them . . . July 21, 2016.
  4. News: Melamed . Karmel . April 28, 2006 . Tom Cruise's Persian Princess . . . July 21, 2016.
  5. News: Melamed . Karmel . February 11, 2007 . Exclusive Interview: Iranian Jewish Actress Bahar Soomekh . . July 21, 2016.
  6. Web site: So, Did You Hear The One About The Iranian Deadhead In Hollywood? . https://web.archive.org/web/20160809025441/http://www.mtv.com/news/1526447/so-did-you-hear-the-one-about-the-iranian-deadhead-in-hollywood/ . dead . August 9, 2016 . Wilson . Kathryn . March 17, 2006 . . July 21, 2016.
  7. May 8, 2006 . New on the Scene . . 65 . 18 . July 21, 2016.
  8. 2015 . Bahar Soomekh's Second Act . 2015 Business Directory & Community Guide . West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce . 38–45 . July 21, 2016.
  9. Web site: Nourmand & Associates Realtors: About the Agent . Michael.Nourmand.com . July 21, 2016.
  10. Web site: Local kid a finalist for 'Sports Illustrated SportsKid of the Year' . Sandoval . Curt . October 10, 2014 . . July 21, 2016.
  11. Web site: Boy's NBA-Size Dream Comes True . O'Keefe . Brian . April 16, 2010 . . July 21, 2016.
  12. News: Torok . Ryan . July 20, 2016 . Moving and shaking: Angel City Games with Adam Sandler, CIJE and more . . July 21, 2016.