Amira Casar is a British-born French actress. Born on July 1, 1971, the daughter of a Kurdish father and a Russian opera singer, Casar grew up in England and Ireland. Discovered by photographer Helmut Newton, she worked as a model for Chanel and Jean-Paul Gaultier, studying drama in the Conservatoire National D'Art Dramatique in Paris.
In 1997, she was nominated for a César in the category of "Espoir Féminin" for her role as "Sandra" in film La Vérité Si je Mens. Her theatre debut occurred in 1999 in Aunt Dan and Lemon with Miranda Richardson and she subsequently played the title character of Hedda Gabler. In 2000, she played Morgiana in the Emmy Award winning miniseries Arabian Nights.
She has starred in more than thirty films, including Sylvia, in which she played Assia Wevill, and To Paint or Make Love.
She worked as a model for Chanel and the fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier.
Born and raised in England and Ireland. She was discovered by photographer Helmut Newton (I) at age of 14. She consequently moved to Paris to start her career. She studied drama at the Conservatoire National D'Art Dramatique and with Blanche Salant and Paul Weaver (I).
Speaks both French and English fluently, with an extraordinary ear for accents and dialects. She also worked in Spanish with Carlos Saura. She has worked in theatre on both sides of the English Channel, playing the title role in Hedda Gabbler in Paris and for the Almeida Theatre, 'Aunt Dan and Lemon'.
Has supported Lionel Jospin's 2002 presidential campaign.
Member of the jury at the Angers First Film Festival in 2006.
Told "Süddeutsche Zeitung" she prefers playing in European productions, although getting offers from big Hollywood studios (June 2006).
Daughter of Kurdish father and a Russian opera singer.
