Renowned Iranian actor Homayoun Ershadi, celebrated for his memorable performances in Taste of Cherry and The Kite Runner, has passed away at the age of 78. Iran’s state news agency IRNA confirmed that Ershadi died on November 11, 2025, after a battle with cancer. His death marks the loss of one of Iranian cinema’s most respected and internationally recognized talents.
Born in Isfahan, Iran, on March 26, 1947, Ershadi’s journey to the screen was anything but conventional. Trained as an architect, he spent much of his early career designing buildings rather than performing before cameras. During the 1980s, he lived in Vancouver, Canada, working at an architectural firm for more than a decade following the Iranian Revolution. However, fate intervened upon his return to Tehran.
In one of cinema’s most serendipitous casting stories, legendary Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami approached Ershadi at a red light, tapped on his car window, and asked, “I want to make a film. Would you like to be in it?” That unexpected moment led to Ershadi’s acting debut in Kiarostami’s 1997 masterpiece Taste of Cherry, which went on to win the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. His deeply introspective portrayal of a man contemplating suicide while searching for someone to bury him under a cherry tree captivated audiences and critics alike, earning him instant acclaim and launching his second career in film.
Over nearly three decades, Ershadi built an impressive body of work spanning over 90 film and television credits. He became known for his understated, soulful performances that reflected both vulnerability and dignity. His international breakthrough came a decade later when he portrayed Baba, the stern yet loving father in Marc Forster’s 2007 adaptation of The Kite Runner, a role that introduced him to Western audiences and showcased his emotional depth.
Ershadi continued to work internationally, appearing in Alejandro Amenábar’s Agora (2009), Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty (2012), and Hassan Nazer’s Utopia (2015), among others. Throughout his career, he remained a bridge between Iranian and global cinema, embodying a quiet strength that transcended borders.
Homayoun Ershadi leaves behind a legacy defined by artistic integrity, humility, and a profound commitment to his craft. His contributions to cinema will continue to inspire filmmakers and audiences around the world. May his soul rest in peace.
