Sarah Shahi Biography
Summary
"Aahoo Jahansouz Shahi", also known as "Sarah Shahi" (born January 10, 1980, in Euless, Texas, U.S.), is an American actress and model of Iranian and Spanish descent. Former NFL Cheerleader and a great-great-granddaughter of the 19th century Iranian king Fath Ali Shah Qajar. Shahi was named #90 on the Maxim magazine 'Hot 100 of 2005' list; she moved up to #66 in 2006. Sarah is currently dating actor Steve Howey who she met on the set of "Reba" in 2004. She has starred in "The L Word" and currently stars in "Life".
Early life and career
Sarah Shahi was born in Euless, Texas, to Iranian father, Abbas Shahi, and Spanish mother, and Mahmonir Shahi. She attended Trinity High School and Dallas' Southern Methodist University, majoring in English and Opera . Shahi started her career as a beauty queen during her teen years. She won the Miss Fort Worth USA pageant in 1997. She joined the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders 1999-2000 squad and appeared on the cover of their 2000 calendar.
Acting career
While working as an extra on the set of "Dr. T and the Women", she met director Robert Altman, who encouraged her to move to Hollywood. Sarah then moved to Los Angeles. Once in L.A., she got various recurrent roles in several famous series, such as "Alias", where she played Jenny, "Dawson's Creek", where she was Sadia Shaw, and "The L Word" where she played Carmen de la Pica Morales. Shahi was also the first ghost in "Supernatural", the CW paranormal drama series.
She is best known for her role as the Mexican-American DJ Carmen de la Pica Morales in the Showtime drama television series "The L Word", which she joined in its second season. Sarah did not renew her contract with the L Word for a fourth season, and consequently her character was written out.
She also appeared in HBO's "The Sopranos", in the Season 6b episode 'Kennedy and Heidi', as Sonya Aragon, a stripper and college student who spends a weekend with Tony after a death in his family.
Although uncredited by most sources, Sarah also appeared in Jackie Chan movie "Rush Hour 3" as one of the girls being handcuffed along with Mia Tyler for motoring offence by Chris Tucker early in the film.
Sarah speaks English, Farsi, and some Spanish, and has a brown belt in karate.
Sarah's currently starring as one of the leads alongside Damian Lewis in the NBC television series "Life" which started airing in the U.S. in late September 2007, and which has been renewed for a second season for the Fall of 2008.
Filmography
"Dr. T and the Women" (2000) as an uncredited cheerleader
"City Guys": 'Shock Treatment' (2000-11-04) as Cheerleader
"Spin City": 'Blind Faith' (2000-11-15) as Bachelorette
"Boston Public": 'Chapter Eleven' (2001-01-22) as Laura
"Off Centre": 'A Cute Triangle' (2001-11-18) as Angelica
"Maybe It's Me": 'The Exchange-Student' (2001-12-07) as Rosa
"Alias" (2001-2002, seven episodes) as Jenny, a budding journalist.
"Class of '06" (2002, undeveloped pilot) as Meg
"Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde" (2003) as Becky, a Delta-Nu sister
"Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)": 'Chinese Baby' (2002-06-05) as TV Diva
"Frasier": 'Door Jam' (2003-01-07) as Reservationist
"Old School" (2003) as Erica
"Dawson's Creek" (2003, four episodes) as Sadia Shaw, a journalist.
"ER": 'The Greater Good' (2003-11-06) as Tara King
"Reba": 'To Tell You the Truth' (2004-01-23) as Kate
"Century City": 'Sweet Child of Mine' (2004-04-06) as Ms. Morris
"A Lot Like Love" (2005) as Starlet
"Plan B" (2005, undeveloped pilot) as Bronwyn
"Supernatural": 'Pilot' (2005-09-13) as The Woman in White/Constance Welsh
"The L Word" (2005-2007) as Carmen de la Pica Morales
"Teachers" (2006, six episodes) as Tina
"Damages" (2006, undeveloped pilot) as Jennifer Carillo
"The Dog Problem" (2006) as Candy
"For Your Consideration" (2006) as Wake Up Host
"Sleeper Cell" (2006) as Farah
"Reba": 'Cheyenne's Rival' (2007-01-28) as Bridget
"The Sopranos": 'Kennedy and Heidi' (2007-05-13) as Sonya Aragon
"Life" (2007-) as Dani Reese
"AmericanEast" (2007) as Salwah Marzoke
"Shades of Ray" (2007) as Sana Khaliq
"The Adventures of Beatle Boyin" (2007) as Carla
"Rush Hour 3" (2007) as Zoe (uncredited)
Print work
"Curve"
"Maxim"
"Muscular Development"
"Men's Fitness"
External links
Credit
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article about Sarah Shahi.
