Morteza Aghili | مرتضی عقيلی

Morteza Aghili, born in 1944 in Tehran, embarked on his artistic journey in 1962 by joining Shahin Sarkisian's theater group. His childhood fascination with the recitation of religious eulogies, coupled with his uncle's role as a eulogist, sparked his initial interest in acting. With the support of Bijan and Bahman Mofid, residents of Shahbaz Street in Tehran, he ventured into amateur theatrical groups in the early 1960s. Joining Shahin Sarkisian's troupe in the 1960s marked the beginning of Aghili's professional acting career, where he worked alongside prominent theater figures for a decade.

Transitioning to professional cinema in 1971, Morteza Aghili gained recognition with his role in "Kako," directed by Shapur Gharib. His early experience in the film "Bianca's Bride" in 1970 drew criticism for his acting skills. However, Aghili's determination and talent led to significant success, particularly with his directorial debut, "Safe Haven," in 1977, which he also starred in.

During the 1970s, Morteza Aghili became a symbol of popular cinema in Iran, appearing in over 60 films and directing four within a span of less than 10 years. The Islamic Revolution in 1979 altered the course of his life. His last film in Iran, "The Fifth Passenger," directed by Saeed Motalebi, was released in 1980.

Facing restrictions in both cinema and theater in post-revolutionary Iran, Aghili eventually moved to Los Angeles, USA. During his time abroad, he wrote the screenplay for Mirza Fathollah, a play staged in Hollywood. Over the next 17 years, he sporadically performed on stages across Europe and North America, also engaging in comedic programs for Persian-language networks outside Iran.

In the 2010s, Morteza Aghili returned to Turkey to collaborate with a Persian-language television network, participating in projects like the satirical series "Shahr-e Gheseh," directed by Mehdi Mozaffari. However, his stay in Turkey was short-lived, and he eventually returned to Iran in the late 2010s.

In February 2022, after four decades, Morteza Aghili graced the stage of the Foulad Metals Theater in Tehran, performing in a production by the "Digar" theater group, directed by Arash Sanjabi and produced by Parviz Parastui. This marked a significant comeback for Aghili, showcasing his enduring passion for the craft on the stage of the Hafez Hall in Tehran.