Meet Iman Nazemzadeh | Actor, Filmmaker & Acting Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Iman Nazemzadeh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Iman, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
It was always very intuitive. Regardless of ‘how’ i was expressing myself, I naturally gravitated towards any creative vehicle that helped forward the deep need to. There really wasn’t ever an end result to creating and I think the more and more I did i naturally fell into opportunities that gave me a chance to fulfill that expression. Over time creative opportunity turned into creative career.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve had the opportunity to write and make two short films that were deeply personal pieces that I can say I’m very proud of. Waiting by the phone as an actor having first arrived to LA was a self esteem killer. As an Iranian American starting my professional career in LA came with a cost post 911. Most of what was being cast were terrorists and simply put that’s what we were being called in to audition for. So much has changed as the narrative has become more inclusive now but that is what motivated me to pursue telling stories that were relevant for me. Making my own projects had the most rewards, not to mention were incredibly empowering. For the first 14 years of my time in LA I went by the name Ethan Rains. It was my way to disappear my ethnic heritage so I can work more. It wasn’t until disappointment and heartbreak in my personal life that I realized I was trying to be something I wasn’t and how exhausting that was trying to keep it up. There was an internal surrender that brought back the need to return to my birth name Iman Nazemzadeh. I closed the gap between what I was trying to live up to then and where and who I am now.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love to frequent Silverlake. Alcove has amazing burgers and a great Salmon Salad. Going a little west Cafe Gratitude off Larchmont is also a great spot for anyone who gravitates towards vegan. My go to hiking trail is Fryman Canyon off Laurel Canyon in Studio City. It’s a 45 to 60 min hike. I recently found a Dim Sum place that offers a variety of traditional Dim Sum in Culver City called Iron Teapot and Dim Sum. If you are in the mood for a long hike you can find many trails at Angeles Forest. And of course there is no greater place to be, in my opinion, then the Kadampa Meditation Center. As a practicing Buddhist and member of the Teacher Training Program there, it is where I go for refuge and community. You will always walk out of the building more peaceful and joyful. There are daily meditations for everyone regardless of your religious views and/or background.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout goes directly to Sandy Marshall. She helped me shape a more authentic view of myself and the world. She was my acting teacher and mentor for 10 years. She recently passed about a month ago. She was a force of nature. I entered her class in 2010, six years after having arrived to Los Angeles. I thought I was an actor until I entered her class. The class was electric and frightening. Each week I got to observe and participate in work that demanded me to step into my truth regardless of how painful it felt. But it was medicine and I noticed the nonsense that didn’t serve my life being stripped away each week. Her class and guidance shed light on my blind spots. And as each student revealed more of themselves each week it was inevitable to grow closer and bond deeper with each of them. It was a community, a laboratory for the human experience. And it was a privilege to be included in her class. I can’t count how many times I felt unworthy to be there, inadequate. But that’s what most of us felt. And our North Star of compassionate and sometimes wrathful truth holder, Sandy Marshall, lead us with unwavering love. The class never wavered in talent as I saw her turn many actors away who weren’t going to make her class better. She never promoted her class nor did she look to make more money by expanding. She didn’t need to. You only ended up there through word of mouth. She held a standard and we had to live up to it. Without effort she had us look deeply into our humanity and own all of its ugly and beautiful pieces and use it in the world of the play we were called to step into each evening. Something inside felt accomplished, released, a catharsis after each class. And then you’d return the following week exhilarated to discover more.

Instagram: @imanskee and @iTeaceremony

Image Credits
Oliver Singer and Ante Cheng