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Actor

Tehran, Iran · Female

8 series in the catalog

Bahar Soomekh (Persian: بهار سومخ) is an Iranian-American former actress who later became a real estate agent. She is best known for her roles in Crash and the Saw franchise.

Early life and education

Bahar was born in Tehran, Iran, to an observant Jewish family. She moved with her parents and sister, Saba Soomekh, to Los Angeles, California, United States in 1979 during the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Soomekh attended Sinai Akiba Academy and Beverly Hills High School.

Bahar later attended the University of California, Santa Barbara. She graduated in 1997 with a B.A. in environmental studies.

Career

After graduating from UCSB, Soomekh worked in motivational sales while taking acting classes. At the beginning of her acting career, Soomekh guest starred on several television programs, including JAG and 24. She ultimately quit her day job to pursue acting full-time and landed her role in Crash less than three months later.

Soomekh's breakthrough role came as Dorri in the Academy Award-winning movie for Best Picture, Crash. Following her success in Crash, People magazine listed Soomekh as a member of the Class of 2006 as "New on the Scene". She followed up with roles in Syriana and Mission: Impossible III. In 2006, she had a leading role as Dr. Lynn Denlon in the horror film Saw III. Soomekh had a recurring role as Margo in the television series Day Break and guest appearances on shows such as Ghost Whisperer and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Her last film role was in Just like a Woman, released in 2012. Soomekh subsequently pursued a real estate career focusing on upscale housing.

Personal life

Bahar married Clayton Frech in 2001. The couple have three children. One of their children, Ezra Frech, was born without most of his left leg (missing a knee and fibula) and missing fingers on his left hand. He was a double gold medalist at the 2024 Summer Paralympics and was named as a finalist for the 2014 Sports Illustrated SportsKid of the Year.