Bahar Soomekh

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

Bahar Soomekh
Born (1975-03-30) 30 March 1975
Tehran, Iran
EducationUniversity of California, Santa Barbara (B.A. 1997)
OccupationActress
Years active2002–2014
Notable credit(s)
Crash, Saw franchise
Spouse(s)
Clayton Frech
​
(m. 2001)​
Children3
RelativesSaba Soomekh (sister)
Websitelabahar.com

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 to escape 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 Mission: Impossible III. 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 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Her last film role was in Just like a Woman.

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
YearTitleRoleNotes
2002Without a TraceLemese Salman
JAGJasmineSeason 8, Episode 10 "The Killer"
2003Naked HotelBhurka Woman
2004JAGAmira SattarSeason 9, Episode 20 "Fighting Words"
IntermissionHair Wearer
CrashDorri
A Lousy Ten GrandNajah
200524Habib Marwan's Wife(deleted scenes)
BonesSahar Masruk
SyrianaYassi(Director's Uncut Version)
2006In JusticeNeena Oponi
Mission: Impossible IIIDavian's Translator
The UnitFireflySeason 2, Episode 1 "Change of Station"
Day BreakMargo(2006–2007)
Saw IIILynn Denlon
2007Saw IVLynn Denlon(flashbacks from Saw III)
2008Saw VLynn Denlon(flashbacks from Saw III)
The OaksHollisUnaired TV pilot
Ghost WhispererTriciaSeason 4, Episode 6 "Imaginary Friends and Enemies"
2009Saw VILynn Denlon(flashbacks from Saw III)
Lost & FoundAbigail
2010Saw 3DLynn Denlon(flashbacks from Saw III)
Miami MedicalVanessaSeason 1, Episode 8 "An Arm and a Leg"
2011CastleNazihah AlhabiSeason 3, Episode 16 "Setup"; Season 3, Episode 17 "Countdown"
CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationDr. Sylvia SloaneSeason 12, Episode 10 "Genetic Dsorder"
2012ParenthoodDr. HaryanaSeason 4, Episode 3 "Everything Is Not Okay"
Just like a WomanSoha
2014PerceptionYaelSeason 3, Episode 5 "Eternity"

References
  1. "Bahar Soomekh Prominent Iranian-Americans". usembassy.gov. Archived from the original on December 25, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  2. Rishon, Shais (May 13, 2016). "The Journeys of Six Jewish Americans". Tablet. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  3. Ghert-Zand, Renee (February 4, 2014). "Iranian Jewish scholar breaks stereotypes while studying them". The Times of Israel. German Colony, Jerusalem. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  4. Melamed, Karmel (April 28, 2006). "Tom Cruise's Persian Princess". The Forward. New York City. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  5. Melamed, Karmel (February 11, 2007). "Exclusive Interview: Iranian Jewish Actress Bahar Soomekh". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  6. Wilson, Kathryn (March 17, 2006). "So, Did You Hear The One About The Iranian Deadhead In Hollywood?". MTV. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  7. "New on the Scene". People. Vol. 65 no. 18. May 8, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  8. "Bahar Soomekh's Second Act". 2015 Business Directory & Community Guide. West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. 2015. pp. 38–45. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  9. "Nourmand & Associates Realtors: About the Agent". Michael.Nourmand.com. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  10. Sandoval, Curt (October 10, 2014). "Local kid a finalist for 'Sports Illustrated SportsKid of the Year'". KABC-TV. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  11. O'Keefe, Brian (April 16, 2010). "Boy's NBA-Size Dream Comes True". ABC News. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  12. Torok, Ryan (July 20, 2016). "Moving and shaking: Angel City Games with Adam Sandler, CIJE and more". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
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