A Persian-Jewish actress in Hollywood

The Forward reports:(with thanks: Albert)

Persian Jewish actress Bahar Soomekh earned some serious attention last year when she played a young Iranian in "Crash," the Academy Award winner for best picture. She's about to star in an even bigger role — playing alongside Tom Cruise in the thriller "Mission: Impossible III." On the eve of the film's debut, the Shmooze caught up with Soomekh to chat about growing up Persian Jewish in Los Angeles and about her road to becoming a star.

"I was born in Tehran. My father is a poet. We moved from Iran in 1979, but before the revolution. I pretty much grew up in Los Angeles and learned English by watching TV. I went to the Sinai Akiba Academy and later to Beverly Hills High School."

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