April 10, 2010

Faran Tahir MPAC Media Award Honoree

Meet Faran Tahir, a Pakistani American actor you may recognize from such blockbuster films as "Iron Man" and "Star Trek." Or maybe you catch him on hit television shows like "24," "Lost," "Chuck," and most recently, "Grey's Anatomy."

In fact, it was his role as a Muslim character named Isaac on "Grey's Anatomy" that caught MPAC's attention for its heart-warming portrayal of a Muslim patient who brings faith and optimism after learning he has an inoperable tumor.

The character of Isaac is the hospital's lab-tech, who we later learn is Muslim, and embodies the Islamic values of patience, faith and optimism - which rubs off on at least one other character. 

Tahir and the writers of the "Grey's Anatomy" episode "Give Peace a Chance" will be honored during the 19th annual MPAC Media Awards Gala on Saturday, May 1 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. 

Click here to find out who else we're honoring and to learn more about this unique gala event.

In addition to Faran Tahir, "Grey's Anatomy" writer Peter Nowalk and co-producer Mark Wilding will be honored, along with ABC Television's Vice President of Talent Development & Diversity Tim McNeal.

Tahir is a third generation actor. He originally attended UC Berkeley with plans to get a business degree, but ended up creating his own major to pursue acting. He then received a graduate degree from Harvard.

See our exclusive sit-down interview with Tahir as he shares his experiences, his advice, and the importance of Muslims getting involved in Hollywood. 

- Samia Khan (samia@mpac.org)
Hollywood Bureau