Top 20 Beautiful Middle Eastern Actresses

Divé Assad was born on 9 January 1992 in Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico. She is an actress and writer, known for Surprise (2016), Insolación (2020) and Margaret (2017).

Nazanin Boniadi's film and television credits are a testament to her versatility, spanning a breadth of genres including drama, comedy, sci-fi, fantasy and action. She recently starred as Bronwyn in the first season of Amazon's global hit series adaptation The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022), she also starred alongside J.K. Simmons in the critically acclaimed Starz series Counterpart (2017), created and produced by Justin Marks. She was the female lead of the Thunder Road / Bleecker Street feature Hotel Mumbai (2018) from director Anthony Maras, in which she starred opposite Dev Patel and was nominated for an Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Award (AACTA), as well as had a supporting role in the Jay Roach and Charles Randolph's Roger Ailes film BOMBSHELL for Lionsgate and BRON opposite Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, and Margot Robbie. She also portrayed Ester in the 2016 major motion picture Ben-Hur (2016), and had a supporting role in Jon Favreau's Iron Man (2008).

Among her many television credits, Boniadi earned an outstanding drama ensemble SAG nomination for her work on Showtime's hit series Homeland (2011) in which she played CIA analyst Fara Sherazi. She portrayed Nora, a relatively longstanding love interest to Neil Patrick Harris's Barney Stinson, in seasons six and seven of How I Met Your Mother (2005). She also appeared as the notorious Adnan Salif in season three of Shonda Rhimes' hit political drama Scandal (2012).

Born in Tehran in the direct aftermath of the Iranian Revolution, Boniadi's parents relocated to London, England, shortly thereafter, where she was raised with an emphasis on education. While she was involved in theatre early in life, Boniadi later decided she wanted to become a physician. She moved to the United States at the age of 19 to attend the University of California, Irvine, where she received her Bachelor's Degree, with Honors (Dean's Academic Achievement and Service Award) in Biological Sciences, and won the "Chang Pin Chun" Undergraduate Research Award for her work in heart-transplant rejection and cancer research.

Switching gears to pursue her first love, Boniadi then decided to study acting, which included training in Contemporary Drama at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London under the supervision of dramaturge Lloyd Trott.

Boniadi is fluent in both English and Persian. She is also a longtime, renowned human rights activist, with a focus on her homeland Iran. Among her numerous recognitions she is the 2023 Sydney Peace Prize laureate. She has served as an ambassador for Amnesty International UK since 2020, and has been a member of the board of directors of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran since 2023. She is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Zuleikha Robinson was born in London, England, UK. She is an actress and writer, known for Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (2018), Homeland (2011) and Lost (2004). She was previously married to Sean Doyle.

Sofia Boutella is an Algerian actress, dancer and model. She was born in the Bab El Oued district of Algiers in Algeria, the daughter of composer and jazz musician Safy Boutella, and an architect mother. She started classical dance education when she was five years old. In 1992, at age 10, she left Algeria with her family and moved to France, where she started rhythmic gymnastics, joining the French national team at age 18. Sofia started with hip hop and street dance, and was part of a group called the Vagabond Crew. She also participated in a group called Chienne de Vie and Aphrodites. She has been rehearsing since age 17 with choreographer Blanca Li, and danced in several film and television appearances, as well as commercials and concert tours.

In 2007, her breakthrough arrived when she was picked for the Jamie King choreography for Nike as a role model of femininity and hip-hop. This was a major boost to her career and led to more work alongside stars like Madonna in her Confessions Tour, and Rihanna. Sofia successfully auditioned for Michael Jackson's This Is It Tour, but could not attend due to the extension of Madonna's tour, whose dates coincided with Jackson's residency. In February 2011, she was the main character in Michael's last music video Michael Jackson: Hollywood Tonight (2011).

Sofia played the lead character Eva in the drama film StreetDance 2 (2012), she starred as the assassin Gazelle in Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014), an alien warrior named Jaylah in Star Trek Beyond (2016), the main antagonist, Princess Ahmanet, in Universal's Dark Universe film The Mummy (2017), and an undercover French agent in Atomic Blonde (2017) alongside Charlize Theron, and many other great movies since then.

Nazanin Homa is known for The Dictator (2012), The CO-OP (2011) and Chatline (2019).

Narges Rashidi was born in Iran, settled in 1987 with her family at first in Turkey and a year later to Germany. After graduation she moved to Berlin and studied acting. In 2005 she attended in Los Angeles the Master Class with MK Lewis. In 2007 she received the award for Best Young Actress at the New York International Independent Film Video Festival for her role as Lolita in A2Z. The German public knows her, among other things through her roles in Schwarze Schafe, Schimanski: Schicht im Schacht, Breathful, Dating Lancelot and KDD. In 2012 Narges Rashidi will be one of the main cast of a new Sat.1 series.

Sarah Shahi was born Aahoo Jahansouzshahi in Euless, Texas, to an Iranian father and Spanish-Iranian mother. She is a former NFL cheerleader and a descendant of a 19th-century Persian Shah. She attended Trinity High School and Southern Methodist University, studied opera and majored in English. As a teenager, she won several beauty contests and took first place in the Miss Fort Worth USA pageant in 1997. She joined the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders and was part of the 1999-2000 squad. She also appeared on the cover of their 2000 calendar.

While working as an extra on the set of Dr. T & the Women (2000), she met director Robert Altman, who encouraged her to move to Hollywood to pursue a career as an actress. Shahi was the first ghost in Supernatural (2005), the CW paranormal drama series. She had recurring roles in several TV series, such as Alias (2001), in which she played "Jenny"; and Dawson's Creek (1998), where she was "Sadia Shaw". She became a fan favorite in her role as the Mexican-American DJ "Carmen de la Pica Morales" in the Showtime series, The L Word (2004), which she joined in its second season. Sarah did not renew her contract with the show for a fourth season and, consequently, her character was written out.

However, she is best-known for her main role as "Sameen Shaw" on the CBS show Person of Interest (2011) playing a CIA agent turned-vigilante with a heart of gold.

She also appeared on HBO's The Sopranos (1999), in the episode Kennedy and Heidi (2007) as "Sonya Aragon", a stripper and a college student who spends a weekend with Tony after a death in his family. Although uncredited by most sources, Sarah also appeared in the Jackie Chan film, Rush Hour 3 (2007), as one of the girls being handcuffed along with Mia Tyler for a traffic offense by Chris Tucker early in the film. She also starred with Damian Lewis in the NBC show, Life (2007).

Sarah speaks English, Farsi, and some Spanish, and has a brown belt in karate.

Miss SAYE YABANDEH is an Iranian-born Hollywood actress focused on using her platform to bring awareness to global issues and to give back to refugees and underserved children and families around the world.

Miss Sayé Yabandeh, a humanitarian and award-winning actress of remarkable scope, has joined Virgin Galactic's NEXTGEN astronaut program. As a Goodwill Ambassador for the ENGin program, she dedicates her time to connecting English-speaking volunteers with Ukraine's young generation during their time of need. As a Global Ambassador for the Global Citizen Foundation and her 501(c)3 non-profit organization Sayé org, she champions education, community building, and sustainable development for underprivileged children worldwide. Through her organization, she extends her philanthropic reach to empower impoverished families globally, fostering self-sufficiency rather than dependency. Sir Richard Branson has crowned her a "Woman of the World" as she embodies the essence of a true Global Citizen, transcending borders and embracing the human race with compassion. With a passion for adventure and athleticism rivaling her dedication to helping others, Miss Yabandeh excels as an avid polo player, who has participated in several world snow polo championships and many exhibition, charity-oriented polo matches worldwide, swimmer, yoga enthusiast, and has trained with Navy SEAL Team Six in support of the Department of Defense. Her impressive filmography and nominations for Best LGBT Project and Best Female Filmmaker attest to her artistic prowess. As she embarks on this extraordinary journey, Miss Yabandeh embodies the spirit of the NEXTGEN astronaut, inspiring future generations to boldly explore the unknown.

Marjan Neshat was born in Tehran, Iran. Marjan is an actor, known for RoboCop (2014), The Book of Henry (2017) and Alfie (2004).

Actress, Writer, Producer, who rose to prominence starring as Annika Ogden in CBS Films/Lionsgate Blockbuster Movie "American Assassin".

Shiva Negar comes from a diverse cultural background. She began her artistic journey in music, showcasing her talents in piano and guitar recitals, and singing competitions as a child. Her passion for the performing arts led her to theater and live performances throughout her adolescence. Despite facing numerous obstacles and cultural traditions, Shiva persevered and pursued her dream of becoming an actress.

In addition to her artistic pursuits, Shiva is academically accomplished. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Postgrad/Master's degree in Events Management & Marketing.

Shiva is dedicated to using her platform in the performing arts to tell impactful stories, aiming to inspire, support, and empower women globally. She is passionate about raising awareness on pressing issues surrounding modern culture and society.

An advocate for diversity, Shiva is deeply committed to humanitarian causes, contributing as a child sponsor for the non-profit organization Mother Miracle, which focuses on educating and feeding impoverished children. Additionally, Shiva is a staunch women's rights advocate, using her voice to champion gender equality and empowerment.

Yasmine Aker is an actress, singer and songwriter based out of Los Angeles, California. She was born in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Iranian parents and later moved to Canada. She began performing at an early age, starring in school plays and community events. She sang soprano with the Voices of Bahá Choir for a performance at Carnegie Hall, New York, during the Conference of the Arts 2002. She has a passion for public service and was awarded the TD Canada Trust Scholarship for Community Leadership. Yasmine studied psychology at York University and the University of Western Ontario in London. After competing in the Miss World franchise as the titleholder, Miss London 2006, and Miss World Canada Photogenic 2006, she turned her sights back to her childhood dream of pursuing a career in film and television. She has starred in various motion pictures and television shows in Canada and the United States. Yasmine embarked on a solo singing career in 2009 with the Grammy nominated Canadian production team KUYA, who have worked with international stars such as Alessia Cara, Nelly Furtado, Akon, and Genuwine. She has since released three albums, her latest album titled "Unvarnished". Her musical sound combines elements from her Middle Eastern roots, pop, neo-soul and electronica. Yasmine moved to Los Angeles in 2011 to continue her work in film and television.

Award-winning actress, Leila Hatami, was born on October 1, 1972 in Tehran, Iran, to legendary Iranian Director, Ali Hatami, and actress mother, Zari Khoshkam (Zahra Hatami). During her childhood, she appeared in several of her father's films including the historical TV series, Nightingales (1988), and biopic Kamalolmolk (1984), as well as a role as Leila, the blind Turkish princess in the film The Love-stricken (1992). After completing high school, she moved to Lausanne, Switzerland and started her studies in Electronic Engineering. However, after two years she changed her major to French Literature. She completed her studies in a couple of years and moved back to Iran.

After a pause in her film career of a few years which included her studies in Switzerland, she made her professional entry into cinema with Dariush Mehrjui's film Leila (1997) as the title character. Her performance in the film received rave reviews from critics and audiences worldwide. She also received the Diploma of Honor for Best Actress from the 15th Fajr Film Festival. Later, she married her co-star Ali Mosaffa in 1999. They now have two children: a son named Mani (born February 2007) and a daughter named Asal (born October 2008).

To date, Hatami has worked with some of the most celebrated Iranian directors. Moreover, her performance in The Deserted Station (2002) won the Best Actress award from the 26th Montreal World Film Festival. She also appeared in her husband's directorial debut film, Portrait of a Lady Far Away (2005). In 2011, she won the prestigious Silver Berlin Bear award at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival for the Best Actress in a Leading Role in Asghar Farhadi's internationally acclaimed film, A Separation (2011).

Kathreen Khavari was born in Oakland, California, USA. She is an actress and writer, known for Avengers Assemble (2012), Big Little Lies (2017) and Insecure (2016).

Rome Shadanloo was born In Tehran, Iran and grew up in Los Angeles, California.

She has appeared on several notable shows and the independent instant classic "A Girl Walks Home At Night". In 2017 she moved to Boston to finish her Holistic Psychology Degree. Rome is currently in Los Angeles and specializing in treating PTSD. (2020)

Shiva Rose was born in Santa Monica, Los Angeles. An American of Irish and Iranian decent, she was raised in Iran until the age of ten when she and her family were forced to escape to Paris, then to Los Angeles.

She began her stage career at 15 at several theaters in Santa Monica. She attended UCLA and then married actor Dylan McDermott. While devoting her life as a mother to raise a daughter, she continued to act on stage, television and film.

She gained recognition for her starring role in the critically-acclaimed David and Layla which Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter described as "'A bold, politically relevant film against impossible odds." The film got theatrical distribution, followed by Time Warner's VOD and Digital Distribution. It continues to be distributed abroad.

David & Layla garnered Shiva Rose the "Best Breakthrough Actress" Award.

She continues her career in the theater as an actress and writer. She wrote Fragile Life based on the life of the photographer Tina Modotti.

She is active with several charitable organizations including being a spokesperson for Amnesty International Refugee Program.

Shiva Rose and Dylan McDermott divorced in 2009. She continues to write for various magazines (Vogue, Lucky) and online sites (eco-stilletto, Huffington Post). She maintains a life style website devoted to her organic holistic lifestyle called The Local Rose.

Currently (2011), she is the Executive Producer of a feature film 'Relative Insanity', starring Maggie Grace and Helen Hunt.

Shiva Rose lives with her two daughters in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California.

Nadia Bjorlin was born the fifth out of six children. Her parents were Ulf Björlin (a Swedish conductor and composer, known to be the world's most active opera composer during the 20th century) and Fary Bjorlin. Her siblings are Katja, Kaj, Kamilla, Ulf Jr and Jean Paul. (Each sibling have a history of artistic or creative work in their background. A very stunning and talented family indeed). Nadia was born in Newport, Rhode Island (USA), but her family soon moved to Sweden. This was only for a few short years before moving back to the USA again.

Nadia worked the opera scene before becoming an actress. It was a fast lane change by a sudden contract with NBC who needed an opera singing girl for a permanent part in a television series. Nadia has since then appeared in both movies and TV series. She has played lead characters in big screen productions and she has been a guest star in shows like CSI, Two an a half men, Two Broke Girls, as well as other comedy shows. Her talent is strong in comedy as well as in drama. She is also quite the dancer, which can be seen in Ricky Martin's music video "Shake Your Bon Bon". She was second runner up placing in Miss Teen Florida. Her voice won a sought after first place in a world proclaimed a opera competition in Italy.

Nadia is fluent in Swedish, English and Farsi. Because of her education in opera, she is schooled in several more languages like Italian and French. Nadia was a child prodigy who excelled in her studies at school as well as voice, theater, dance, and music. She started her professional career at six years old and won several awards while attending the Interlochen Center for the Arts and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.

She currently (2014) lives in California. Her school years were mostly in Palm Beach, Florida and New York. Her most beloved father died of leukemia in 1993. This has inspired Nadia to become a spokesperson and represent The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for many years now.

Shermine Sharivar was born on 17 September 1982 in Tehran, Iran. She is an actress, known for Alarm für Cobra 11 - Die Autobahnpolizei (1996), Traveling Light (2021) and Top Models Made in Paris (2010).

Freema Agyeman is a British actress who is known for playing Martha Jones in the BBC science fiction series Doctor Who (2007-2010), Alesha Phillips in crime procedural drama Law & Order: UK (2009-2011), Amanita Caplan in the Netflix science fiction drama Sense8 (2015-2018), and Dr. Helen Sharpe in the NBC medical procedural series New Amsterdam (2018-2022).

Samira was born in Los Angeles, California. She began to participate in beauty pageant when she was one year old. At age 6, she appeared in the show "Kids Say The Darndest Things" which began her acting career. She was cast in the film House of Sand and Fog in 2003 and in the Lifetime series, State of Mind, as re-occurring guest star Jhasmine Khalid in 2007.

Nikka Far is known for Argo (2012) and Paranoid Activity (2011).