By Kayhan Life Staff
The celebrated Iranian actor and director Parviz Kardan died of a heart attack on June 10 in Los Angeles, California, aged 84.
Although he lived abroad for many years, Kardan’s TV series and films are still top rated among young Iranians. In the days since his passing, the domestic press has eulogized Kardan and written about his contribution to the Iranian culture and performing arts.
Mr. Kardan was an accomplished stage actor before embarking on a film career.
He was born in Shiraz in 1937, and started appearing in television series in 1959. He immediately gained a large TV audience.
Kardan was a graduate of the Tehran Faculty of Dramatic Arts. He also studied to become a director in London.
[aesop_image img=”https://kayhanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/WhatsApp-Image-2021-06-15-at-22.48.06.jpeg” panorama=”off” credit=”Iranian Actor-Director Parviz Kardan. Courtesy of Farhang Foundation. ” align=”center” lightbox=”on” captionsrc=”custom” captionposition=”left” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]
Among Kardan’s most notable stage performances were “The Trial of Iraj Mirza,” “Tehran, Oh, Tehran,” “Haft Rang” (seven colors), and “Salam va Khodahafez Shazdeh Khanoom” (Hello and Goodbye Princess.)
Kardan directed his first feature-length film, Amoo Yadegar (“Uncle Yadegar”), in 1971. He also starred in the movie. His famous TV series Morad Barghi (“Morad the Electrician”), which he directed and starred in between 1973 and 1975, attracted a large viewing audience. He also directed “Morad the Electrician and Seven Girls” in 1974 and a limited series Marde Aval (“The First Man”) in 1976.
Kardan was a versatile actor who also gave memorable performances in such classics as Samuel Beckett’s 1953 play “Waiting for Godot,” which appealed to the younger educated intellectual audiences. He entertained his working-class fans with his light-hearted portrayal of Morad Barghi (“Morad the Electrician”), which became his signature role.
Morad was an electrician whose sole possession was his car, which he named Yaghoot. He drove around the city in his car, searching for customers.
Kardan also directed several other TV series, including Sandoghcheye Ashrafi (1966), Khaneh Bedoosh” (1966), Amir Arsalan Namdar (1967), Sarkar Ostovar (co-directed with Mansour Pourmand and Parviz Sayyad, 1967), Octopus (co-directed with Parviz Sayyad, 1971), Adam Kaghazi(1974), and Tabestan, Tabestan (1975).
After moving to London and then Los Angeles, Kardan continued working in theater and directed several plays, including “The Trial of Iraj Mirza,” written by Dr. Sadreddin Elahi. He also hosted his shows on Farda TV and VOA Persian.
Kardan is survived by his son Kayvan, from his first marriage to the late Iranian film and theater actress Farzaneh Taidi (1945-2020), and a daughter, Shadi, from his second marriage.
god bless my mother loved his role in morad barghi with negar who died 1396 parviz kardan died went to negar his love in morad barghi 🙁