Azita Ghanizada

Biography

Azita, a political refugee, came to Hollywood with an incredible story of cultural backlash. As a baby, she and her family fled Afghanistan to the United States and gained asylum in an effort to escape war-time conflicts . Being raised in a conservative multicultural home, she was forbidden to pursue her dreams of becoming an actress until she finished her studies. Once she received her B.A. in English and Journalism, she packed her belongings and headed to Los Angeles, where she began to further her craft to include various acting techniques including; Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, Michael Chekov, Voice, Movement, Clowning, and Improvisation.

Fluent in both English and Dari, the Afghan dialect of Farsi, Azita has the ability to quickly take on different languages, having been raised in a home with Hindi, Urdu, Pashto, Farsi and English. She has remained a chameleon on Television, appearing on many hit TV series, including a leading role, opposite David Strathairn in Syfy’s “ALPHAS.” In 2016, she starred opposite Michael Shannon and Rachel Weisz in the Amazon feature, “Complete Unknown,” where she was named one of the “Seven Sundance Breakout Actresses You Must Know,” (2016).

Azita’s cultural makeup and turbulent upbringing has turned her into a fierce advocate. In 2016, she founded MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition, MAAC, to advocate on behalf of Middle Eastern North African (MENA) performers. In 2017, she successfully lobbied SAG-AFTRA to include Middle Eastern North African (MENA) as its own diverse category in the producers theatrical contracts. The first time in 37 years a new diversity category has been introduced in the SAG-AFTRA – AMPTP contracts. She actively speaks out on representation and inclusion issues in the media, in business environments and on industry panels, and has also proudly served as a Global Ambassador for Womenforwomen.org, to create attention on Women’s issues in the world’s most war torn regions.

An avid runner, yoga and pilates devotee, she enjoys fight training and marksman practice in her free time.