Ezzatollah Entezami | عزت الله انتظامی

Ezzatollah Entezami (March 20, 1924 – August 17, 2018) was a renowned Iranian actor and director in theater, cinema, and television, famously known as the "Master Actor" of Iranian cinema. He was the first Iranian actor to receive an award at an international film festival. Entezami was selected as one of the enduring faces of Iran in 2003.

Born on March 20, 1924, in the Sanglaj neighborhood of Tehran, Entezami entered the field of arts after completing his preliminary education. He initially pursued electrical engineering at Tehran Technical High School. In 1947, with limited artistic resources, he traveled to Germany and enrolled in a cinema and theater school in Hanover. His father, Majid Entezami, was a composer and musician.

Entezami began his artistic career with stage performances in Lalehzar theaters. After a year, he moved to cultural and artistic theaters in Tehran. In 1941, he made his professional debut with the play "Ultimatum" directed by Asghar Tafakkori at the Tehran Paris Theater on Lalehzar Street. By 1947, he had participated in more than ten theatrical productions. In 1951, he performed in Iran and completed his Bachelor's degree at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, with a thesis on the works of Heinrich von Kleist.

His first cinematic experience was in Parviz Khatibi's film "Spring Variety" (1949). However, he gained widespread recognition with his role as Mash Hassan in Dariush Mehrjui's "The Cow" (1969), a performance that marked a turning point in the history of Iranian cinema. Entezami's acting in Mehrjui's films, including "Mr. Naive," "Circle of Minerva," "Postmen," "The Tenants," "Hamoun," and "Lady," further solidified his status as a legendary actor.

After the Islamic Revolution, Entezami continued to shine in various roles, such as in films like "The Outcast," "The Tenants," "Grand Cinema," "Hamoun," "Lady," "The Cow," "Star-Khan," "Judge," and many others. In "The Cow," he portrayed the character of Mash Hassan, mourning for his deceased cow and gradually adopting bovine behavior, earning him international acclaim. For his performance in "The Cow," he received the Silver Hugo Award for Best Actor at the Chicago International Film Festival.

Entezami's contributions to Iranian cinema were not limited to acting; he also directed a few films, such as "The Spring of Life" (1974) and "The Suitcase" (1974). His last collaboration with Mohsen Kiayai, "Hokm" (2017), showcased his enduring talent as he portrayed a character resembling Don Corleone.

Ezzatollah Entezami passed away on August 17, 2018, at the age of 94, in Bahman Hospital in Tehran. His legacy remains a crucial part of Iranian cinema history.