Azita Ghanizada facts for kids

Azita Ghanizada is an American actress who has appeared in many TV shows, movies, and plays. She is well-known for her role in the TV series Alphas and for performing in the Broadway play The Kite Runner. Besides acting, Azita also started an organization called the MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition.

Azita's Early Life and Journey to Acting

Azita Ghanizada's family came to America seeking safety. Her father worked at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran. This helped her family leave Afghanistan when she was a baby. They moved to the Virginia suburbs near Washington D.C.

How Azita Learned English and Found Her Passion

Azita learned English by watching American television. Her family also often went to a local movie theater that showed Bollywood films. Her mother loved Indian and American movie stars. These experiences inspired Azita to become an actress.

Starting Her Acting Career

Later, Azita moved to Los Angeles, California, to start her acting career. She began by appearing in TV commercials. She also had guest roles on popular TV shows. Some of these shows included How I Met Your Mother, Entourage, Veronica Mars, The Mentalist, Psych, Ghost Whisperer, and Castle.

Azita's Main Roles in TV and Movies

In 2008, Azita got her first main TV role. She joined the show General Hospital: Night Shift as Dr. Saira Batra. Dr. Batra was a specialist in natural health methods.

Becoming a Sci-Fi Star

In 2010, Azita joined the cast of the Syfy Channel series Alphas. She played Rachel Pirzad, a character with special senses. The show became popular in 2011 and ran for two seasons.

Other Notable Film and TV Appearances

Azita has also appeared in several movies. In 2016, she was recognized as a "Sundance Break-out Actress" for her work in the film Complete Unknown. She also appeared in Our Friend in 2020 and KillRoy Was Here in 2022. More recently, she had recurring roles in the TV shows Ballers and Good Trouble. In 2025, it was announced she would join the TV series Suits LA as Roslyn Noori.

Azita's Broadway Debut

In 2022, Azita made her first appearance on Broadway. She played the role of Soraya in the stage version of The Kite Runner. This was a big step in her acting career.

Azita's Advocacy Work

Beyond acting, Azita Ghanizada is a strong supporter for people from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in Hollywood. She also advocates for women in Afghanistan.

Founding the MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition

In 2016, Azita started the MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition (MAAC). In 2017, she successfully worked with other performers to get MENA recognized as its own diverse group in acting contracts. This was the first new hiring category added to a labor contract in 37 years!

Supporting Women Globally

Azita also works as a global Ambassador for "Women for Women International". Her work focuses on helping women in Afghanistan get back to work and receive an education.