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Tala Ashe
Tala Ashe Photo Op GalaxyCon Columbus 2022.jpg
Ashe in 2022
Born
Talayeh Ashrafi

(1984-07-24) July 24, 1984 (age 40)
Education Boston University (BFA)
Occupation Actress
Years active 2008–present
Spouse(s) Raffi Barsoumian
Signature
Tala Ashe Signature.svg

Talayeh Ashrafi (Persian: طلایه اشرفی; born July 24, 1984) known professionally as Tala Ashe, is an Iranian-American actress. She is known for her roles on the television series Smash, American Odyssey, and As the World Turns, as well as her regular role as Zari Tomaz and Zari Tarazi on The CW superhero series Legends of Tomorrow.

Early life and education

Ashe was born in Tehran, Iran. She immigrated to the United States when she was nine months old. Ashe grew up in Powell, Ohio, just outside of the state capital Columbus. She participated in her high school theatre productions as both an actress and director.

Ashe received a BFA from Boston University's School of Theatre. She also trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City.

Career

Tala Ashe
Ashe in 2017

Ashe has performed in numerous regional and Off-Broadway stage productions. Ashe's first screen credit is for her role as Nadia in the 2008 film Waiting in Beijing. She was credited as Tala Ashrafi, but is credited as Tala Ashe in all subsequent roles. She has made guest appearances on the series Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, 30 Rock, and Covert Affairs. Ashe has also had recurring roles on Smash and American Odyssey. She was also a cast member on As the World Turns.

In 2017, Ashe joined the main cast of Legends of Tomorrow as Zari Tomaz. She took the lead for a bottle episode titled "Here I Go Again" and drew praise from critics and fans alike for her performance.

Personal life

Ashe is Iranian-American and holds dual citizenship. Her name, Talayeh, means "pioneer" in Persian and comes from the Shahnameh. In addition to English, she speaks fluent Persian. Along with her fellow Arrowverse actresses, Ashe is a founding member of Shethority, a project aimed at inspiring and uplifting women (inclusively defined).

Filmography

Television and film roles
Year Title Role Notes
2008 Waiting in Beijing Nadia Film; credited as Tala Ashrafi
2008 Law & Order Madison Episode: "Angelgrove"
2008 As the World Turns Ameera Ali Aziz Recurring role, 26 episodes
2011 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Rebecca Landon Episode: "Cyber-War"
2012 Smash R.J. Quigley Recurring role (season 1), 6 episodes
2015 American Odyssey Anna Stone Recurring role, 7 episodes
2017–2022 Legends of Tomorrow Zari Tomaz and Zari Tarazi Main role (season 3–7), 74 episodes
2024 The Girls on the Bus Althea Abdi Recurring role

Stage

In addition to the following, Ashe has also performed in productions of Love's Labour's Lost (as Tala Ashrafi; Huntington Theatre Company), Age of Innocence (New York Arena), Autophagy (Drama League Director's Project), Twelfth Night (Actors' Shakespeare Project), and Pearls from Salt (Olney Theatre), among others.

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2009 Aftermath Naimah Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York City
2010 Welcome to Arroyo's Lelly Santiago Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, California
2011 Again and Against Dahlia LAByrinth Summer Intensive, New York
Urge for Going Jamila The Public Theater, New York City
2012 Troilus and Cressida Cressida, Cassandra Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, Oregon
The Very Merry Wives of Windsor, Iowa Anne Page Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, Oregon
2014 The Who & the What Mahwish Claire Tow Theater, New York City
2015 Head over Heels Philoclea Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, Oregon
The Happiest Song Plays Last Shar Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, Oregon
2016 Troilus and Cressida Helen, Andromache Delacorte Theater, New York City
2017 The Profane Emina Playwrights Horizons, New York City

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Tala Ashe para niños

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