TEHRAN – Veteran Iranian actor, singer Reza Rooygari died of a heart attack at the age of 75 in Tehran on Wednesday.

Born in Tehran, Rooygari was renowned for his multifaceted contributions to the arts, particularly in cinema, television, and music.

In addition to acting in movies and series, he was also active in the fields of music (performing revolutionary songs and releasing albums) and painting. Since 2014, news has been circulating about a stroke and its complications. He was hospitalized many times in the past decade.

Rooygari's artistic journey began in his youth with painting, which he pursued alongside early involvement in theater during high school. He entered the professional entertainment industry in the 1980s, debuting on television with the drama series “Hygiene Neighborhood” in 1984 and making his film debut the same year in “Eagles”. 

His early film roles, including the acclaimed “The Tenants” (1986), established him as a prominent figure in Iranian cinema, known for portraying complex characters in social dramas.

In 1996, Rooygari paused his acting career to focus exclusively on painting for seven years, reflecting his deep commitment to the visual arts. 

He returned to acting in 2003 with the film “Boutique,” earning the Iran Cinema Celebration Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Since then, he has balanced film and television work, delivering a standout performance as Kian Irani in the historical series “The Rise of Mokhtar” (2009), and appearing in notable films such as “The Good, the Bad, the Corny” (2017), “Snake Venom “(2019), “The Deceased” (2022), and “The Old Bachelor” (2024).

Throughout his career, spanning over four decades, Rooygari has appeared in dozens of films and series, including “Operation 125” (2008), “Heartbroken” (2008), and “Madineh” (2014), solidifying his status as a versatile and enduring talent in Iranian entertainment.

As a musician, Rooygari gained widespread recognition for his patriotic song “Iran Iran” and has released multiple albums, blending pop elements with cultural themes.

Rooygari debuted as a singer in the late 1970s, emerging during the Iranian Revolution with his iconic track “Iran, Iran”.

Released in 1979, the song features repetitive chants and drum rolls, blending militant melody with lyrics that anthropomorphize Iran as a sentient entity enduring struggle and sacrifice.

The track holds profound cultural significance in Iranian pop music as a revolutionary anthem. Its themes of martyrdom, freedom from tyranny, and utopian yearning resonated with a generation, symbolizing resistance and national pride amid the revolution and subsequent Iran-Iraq War.

Throughout his career, Rooygari released several music albums, transitioning from revolutionary themes to pop styles. Notable releases include “Speaking of Love,” “Uproar,” and “Casablanca”.

SS/