|
Sarah Shahi Profile |
|
-
Birth Date: January 10, 1980
-
Birth Place: Euless, Texas, USA
-
Birth Name: Sarah Shahi
-
Height: 5'4"
|
|
|
Biography |
Sarah Shahi was born Aahoo Jahansouzshahi on January 10,
1980 in Euless, Texas. To her family, the quaint little town
must have felt millions of miles away from their native
Iran. Then again, their safety depended upon it. Descendents
of the Fath Ali Shah of the Qajar Dynasty, Sarah's family
was forced to leave their homeland two years before due to
the political and social unrest caused by the Islamic
Revolution. Luckily, the family was safe in America, and
Sarah grew up speaking both Farsi and English, celebrating
her parent's culture at home, while also happily gobbling up
Americana.
sarah shahi the beauty queen
Sarah grew quickly into her beauty and, at her mother's
encouragement, began entering pageants while she was still
in elementary school. Success naturally followed, and by the
age of 10, she was invited to participate in an
international modeling competition in New York.
Although her travel and exposure increased, Sarah's parents
made sure she didn't neglect her studies. To their credit,
and hers, Sarah graduated from high school a member of the
National Honor Society and was also actively involved with
her school's choir.
Things really began moving for Sarah the following year when
she packed her bags and enrolled at Southern Methodist
University in Dallas. The prettiest girl on her campus,
Sarah was instantly recognized for her grace and elegance,
and was crowned Miss Fort Worth. The title brought her more
attention than she had ever experienced, and with it came an
invitation to join the world-renowned Dallas Cowboys
Cheerleader squad.
Sarah shook her pom poms for "America's Team" for two full
seasons in 1999-2000, during which time she appeared as the
cover girl for their 2000 swimsuit calendar, and traveled to
the Balkans to entertain troops as a member of a USO tour.
Despite her extraordinary extracurricular pursuits, Sarah
still managed to graduate near the top of her class at SMU,
where she trained as an opera singer. With her degree in
hand, Sarah decided to try her luck at acting and landed a
role as (what else?) a cheerleader in 2000's Dr. T and the
Women, starring Richard Gere and Helen Hunt. Despite her
limited screen time, director Robert Altman was clearly
impressed with what he saw and encouraged Sarah to go west
to pursue a career in film.
Late in 2000, she did just that, moving to Los Angeles.
Early returns from her move were extremely promising, as the
Persian beauty scored a succession of guest roles on Spin
City, Boston Public and Frasier before landing a recurring
role as Jenny in the spy thriller Alias. By now a familiar
face to casting directors, Sarah scored again in 2003 when
she played recurring character Sadia Shaw on Dawson's Creek.
The increased exposure helped Sarah to land a role in the
mega-blockbuster comedy Old School later that year. Acting
alongside Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn made it clear that
she had finally arrived. Guest-starring roles followed on ER
and Reba, where Sarah met her current boyfriend, fellow
actor and series star Steve Howey.
With her fame steadily increasing, Sarah landed on a series
of her own in 2004, when she joined the impressive ensemble
cast of The L Word. Playing Carmen de la Pica Morales, Sarah
eats up the scenery as a gorgeous lesbian DJ. The role has
been eye opening for Sarah, who's learned more than a few
new tricks on set. According to the feisty Texan, "I feel
like I would definitely know how to go down on a woman if I
was ever in that situation."
In addition to starring on the hit show, Sarah will also be
on the big screen again in 2006, playing a call girl in the
offbeat indie flick The Adventures of Beatle Boyin. |
|
|
Other
Information |
Attended Southern Methodist University
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders 2000 Swimsuit Calendar
Covergirl.
The great-great-granddaughter of a 19th century Iranian
Shah, Fath Ali Shah Qajar.
Moved to Los Angeles in 2000
When she got the part of "Carmen De La Pica" she wasn't sure
she wanted it, but now considers it her dream role.
Studied Opera
Named #90 on the Maxim magazine "Hot 100 of 2005" list.
Her father is of Persian origin, her mother is Spanish. |
|
|
|
