Zhaleh Alou, Veteran of Performing Arts in Iran, Passes Away

Zhaleh Alou, a veteran of the performing arts and a prominent figure in Iranian radio, television, theater, and cinema, passed away at the age of 97 in Tehran. She had expressed her support for the nationwide protests of 2022, stating that she was "mourning the children of Iran." Iranian news agencies reported that Zhaleh Alou died on Tuesday, December 24, in Shahrokh Hospital in Tehran. Her son, Shahrokh Razmjou, confirmed the death of this well-known cultural and artistic figure. This renowned artist was born in 1928 and began her professional career in 1948 with work at the National Radio of Iran. Zhaleh Alou's voice was one of the familiar and nostalgic sounds on the radio program "Voice of the Night." She was born in the Sanglaj neighborhood of Tehran and studied at the Tehran Teacher Training College and the Tehran Acting School. She began her dubbing career in 1952 with the film "Mother" by Ismail Koushan. Her voice became memorable to Iranians alongside images of prominent actors such as Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, and Gloria Swanson, as well as cartoons like Pinocchio, Aristocats, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Ms. Alou acted in numerous films before and after the 1979 Revolution, including "Dash Akol," "Toughi," "Snowman," "Guest of Mom," "Bride of Tigris," "Shir Ali Mardan," and series such as "Once Upon a Time," "Mokhtarnameh," and "Minister Mokhtar." The passing of this veteran figure of Iranian culture and art has triggered reactions on social media. Nima Afsharnaderi, a journalist, noted Zhaleh Alou's support for the nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in custody of the morality police, recalling that "her last media appearance was in 2022 when she protested the placement of her image on the Vali Asr mural, stating: 'I mourn the children of this land.'" Mahbubeh Bayat, a veteran actress and opponent of the Islamic Republic, also wrote on social media platform X that Zhaleh Alou "lived well and healthy," was "very respected," and that "Erfan prevented her from being tainted by the government."