| Tehran Von Ghasri | |
| Birth Place: | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Medium: | Stand-up, film, television |
| Nationality: | American |
| Active: | 2012–present |
| Genre: | Observational comedy, Social commentary, Satire |
| Influences: | Dave Chappelle, Tiffany Haddish, Maz Jobrani, Max Amini --> |
| Education: | George Mason University Georgetown Law |
Tehran Von Ghasri, or simply Tehran Ghasri (Persian: تهران قصری, in Persian pronounced as /tehrɑːn ɢæsriː/), professionally known as Tehran formerly Tehran SoParvaz, is an American international comedian, actor, television, podcast, and radio personality, entertainer of African-American and Persian descent. Tehran was born and raised in Washington D.C. and surrounding Washington Metropolitan Area, beginning his career television hosting and curating exclusive events. Tehran is multilingual, performing stand-up comedy in primarily in English for US audiences but also Persian, conversational Arabic, Hebrew, and French internationally.[1] [2] [3] [4]
Tehran Von Ghasri was born in Washington D.C. to an immigrant Iranian father and African-American mother, who met in college. Named after Tehran, the capital of Iran, his parents chose the name "Tehran" as a reminder of his Persian roots with the name sounding African American as well.[5]
Being mixed Iranian and African-American, Tehran's background also includes Muslim and Zoroastrian paternal grandparents as well as a Christian maternal grandfather and Jewish maternal grandmother. Muslim, Zoroastrian, and Jewish roots and culture were prevalent in his upbringing having a large impact on him as a person.[6] Tehran often expresses how humanity is much more alike than we are different and we should celebrate our differences rather than attack them in one another.
The name "Tehran" is unique to him due to his family lineage and history. The government of Iran's courts found the name counter to Islamic revolutionary law, sanctioning and banning the use of the name until recent. As such Tehran is the first and only person of Iranian heritage with the name "Tehran" with no cases of the name being used before 2020.[7]
In a television show launched by VOA Persian called Minutes with Max Amini, he revealed his long-time friendship with Max Amini and said that Amini was his first motivator to be a comedian.[8] followed by a performance by Maz Jobrani at George Washington University in 2012 with Maz encouraging him to move to Los Angeles and pursue comedy full time. Tehran has a J.D. degree and holds degrees in International Politics and Communications, and economics from George Mason University. Tehran went viral for his story being told on VOA favorite, Parazit in 2010.
Tehran has hosted his own radio and television shows on Rangarang and Tapesh satellite television, which are US-based Persian language television channels. Tehran rose to popularity in the Iranian diaspora after begin featured in the premiere episode of Parazit on VOA. After becoming very popular in the Iranian community and diaspora, Tehran has branched out and crossed over into the American and International markets. After being a guest, Tehran became a main host and daily contributor on Take Part Live, the prime daily social commentary and political talk show on Pivot. This led to a leading role on the Fox nationally televised panel show "So Me".
Participating in Just For Laughs and Netflix is a Joke, Tehran performs stand-up comedy in venues all over the world, and is a Los Angeles Laugh Factory favorite.[9] Tehran created and hosts Comedy Bazaar, the longest running Middle East and North African MENA themed comedy show, as well as the inclusive Tehran Thursday which he hosts weekly, the second longest running comedy show in Hollywood. Both are very popular tentpole shows at the Laugh Factory and the Hollywood comedy scene. During the Covid shutdown, Tehran alongside Craig Robinson hosted a very notable daily variety comedy show.
From 2015 - 2020, Tehran was a noted panelist on several episodes of AfterBuzz TV aftershow podcast for the American television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as well a variety of popular comic book related shows. With insightful Tehran hosted San Diego 2018 and Los Angeles Comic Con 2021.[10]
Tehran has been in several TV and film projects including Dane Cook's American Typecast, the Sean Stone directed Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece, and featured in Maz Jobrani's project Jimmy Vestvood. Tehran has also been a main host on Fox SoMe panel show, daily contributor on Take Part Live, The Young Turks, Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey, and regular on Fox Soul.
Tehran's comedy style has been noted as very unique with elements of his good friends Dave Chappelle meets Maz Jobrani, whom he often collabs and tours with. Tehran has produced and taken part in many shows focused on world peace, tolerance, love, understanding, and unity, most notably Comedy 4 Peace aimed at uniting the Middle East and North Africa with a current focus on Israel and Palestinian relations with comedian Erik Angel. Tehran is very socially active in regards to fighting injustice, oppression, and disenfranchisement globally. Tehran cites his personal journey and cultural connections as inspirations for his comedy seeking to unite people through laughter.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Maul Dogs | Tehran Snipes | Supporting role | |
| 2016 | D.J. at Wedding | Supporting role | ||
| 2018 | Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece | Count Blackula | ||
| 2019 | American Typecast | Nick | ||
| 2024 | Barnabus |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | GGN: Snoop Dogg's Double G News Network | Kool-Aid Man | Episode: "GGN How to Be Kool - Snoop & the Kool-Aid Man" | |
| 2015 | Get Your Life | Sketchy Waterer Guy | Episode: "Girl Get Your NYPTSD" | |
| 2018 | Pennies for Your Thoughts | Charlie | ||
| 2018–2019 | The Real Witches of West Hollywood | Ray J |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Shahs of Sunset | Himself | Episode: "Please Bring a Man" Documentary | |
| 2013 | @SummerBreak | Himself | 2 episodes | |
| 2014 | A Splash of Nowruz | Himself | Documentary short | |
| TakePart Live | Himself - Daily Contributor | 86 episodes | ||
| Revolt Live | Himself | Daily Contributor | ||
| Speed Date Inn | Cool | Short film | ||
| 2015 | NOWRUZ: Lost and Found | Documentary | ||
| 2016 | SoMe | Himself | 8 episodes | |
| 2017 | Nowrooz 1396 Ceremony | Himself | TV special | |
| 2018 | Travel Ban | Himself | Documentary | |
| Penny For Your Thoughts | Charlie | TV Series | ||
| Fury of the Fist | Count Blackula | Film | ||
| The Real Witches of Hollywood | Ray J | TV Series | ||
| 2019 | American Typecast | Nick | Film | |
| 2019 | The Persian Bachelorette | Constestant | Short Film | |
| 2021 | Friendz | Ahmad | TV Movie | |
| 2022 | The Social Meltdown | Tehran Show Host | Short Film | |
| 2023 | The Last King | Malek | Film | |
| 2023 | Angel's Fallen: Warriors of Peace | Barnabus | Film |