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Amir Talai | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 24, 1977 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, singer, voice artist, writer, activist |
| Spouse | Nina Manni (married 2011-present) |
Amir Talai (born June 24, 1977) is an American actor, singer, voice artist, writer, and activist. He is known for playing a variety of characters in musicals, movies and television shows.
Talai was born and raised in San Francisco, CA and is the first child of Iranian immigrants, Mohammad and Sima Talai. He grew up in a Muslim family. Talai attended a French immersion school through 8th grade, after which he attended Lowell High School. He received a degree from UC Berkeley with a major in Mass Communications and a minor in Dramatic Arts.
Talai lives in Los Angeles, CA with his wife Nina Manni, who he married in 2011.
Talai began working as an actor in San Francisco after graduating from UC Berkeley. He later moved to Los Angeles, where he enrolled in The Groundlings, eventually joining the Groundlings Sunday Company. Talai has more than 125 film, TV, and voice-over credits.
Talai has performed on stage regionally including at the Hollywood Bowl in Guys and Dolls, Annie, and in the Paris Las Vegas hotel and casino's production of the Queen jukebox musical We Will Rock You. He also had many singing parts in Hazbin Hotel as Alastor.
Talai has been vocal on social media in regard to racism, misogyny, gun control, worker’s rights, and other issues. He has volunteered with numerous Democratic campaigns since 2004.
Talai has written about depictions of Middle Eastern people for Vulture and Buzzfeed News, calling attention to the whitewashing of Middle Eastern actors and the death of opportunities for Middle Eastern actors to play roles that don't involve terrorism or Islam.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde | Associate | |
| 2004 | November | George | |
| Homeland Security | Babir Alkazar | TV movie Uncredited | |
| 2006 | More, Patience | Hypochondriac | TV movie |
| The Pursuit of Happyness | Clerk | ||
| 2007 | Fighting Words | Ralphie | |
| 2008 | The Onion Movie | Ahman | |
| Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay | Raza | ||
| 2010 | Fractalus | Lee | |
| 2011 | Best Player | Wendell | TV movie |
| 2012 | What to Expect When You're Expecting | Patel |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | The Sims Hot Date | Sim | Voice |
| 2006 | Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers | Voice | |
| Titan Quest | Voice | ||
| Company of Heroes | Voice | ||
| Splinter Cell: Double Agent | Additional Characters | Voice | |
| The Sopranos: Road to Respect | Additional Characters | Voice | |
| 2007 | Titan Quest: Immortal Throne | Voice | |
| 2011 | Kung Fu Panda 2 | Crane | Voice Replacing David Cross and Drew Massey |
| 2015 | Kung Fu Panda: Showdown of Legendary Legends |