Sam Asghari Says He Wants to Use His Fame to Support Human Rights in Iran
Sam Asghari says success in Hollywood isn’t just about landing bigger roles or building a stronger résumé. As his acting career continues to grow, the model and actor says he’s focused on using his public platform to shine a light on humanitarian issues that remain deeply personal to him.
During an appearance on TMZ Live while promoting his upcoming film The Gentleman Thief, Asghari opened up about his connection to Iran and explained why speaking out about human rights has become an important part of his public life.
The conversation marked one of his more extensive discussions about politics and humanitarian issues, topics he said stem directly from his own life experience.
Born in Tehran, Asghari moved to the United States in the mid-2000s when he was 12 years old. Looking back on that transition, he said witnessing oppression in his birth country has made him increasingly aware of political and humanitarian issues affecting the Iranian people.
Rather than focusing on political debates themselves, Asghari emphasized that his concern centers on human rights.
According to Asghari, he is particularly troubled by what he described as the Iranian government’s treatment of its own citizens, including restrictions affecting women and broader limits on individual freedoms.
He told TMZ Live that he hopes his work as an actor and public figure can help amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard.
“I want to use my art to inspire others,” Asghari explained, adding that he wants to give “a voice to the voiceless.”
Asghari also reflected on his own journey to the United States, describing the opportunities and freedoms he has experienced as something he does not take for granted.
During the interview, he compared living in America to “winning the lottery,” saying he feels fortunate to enjoy freedoms that many people around the world continue to fight for.
Those experiences, he suggested, have shaped both his personal outlook and the way he hopes to approach his career moving forward.
Instead of viewing acting solely as entertainment, Asghari said he believes storytelling can also encourage empathy and inspire meaningful conversations about issues that extend beyond the screen.
Promoting The Gentleman Thief
Although the interview touched on serious topics, Asghari was also on TMZ Live to discuss his latest film, “The Gentleman Thief,” which stars John Travolta.
The upcoming movie represents another step in Asghari’s growing acting career as he continues expanding beyond modeling and into feature films.
During the conversation, he also shared a personal story about adapting to life in America after immigrating from Iran.
According to Asghari, one of John Travolta’s movies helped him learn English after arriving in the United States, making his opportunity to now appear in a film alongside the veteran actor especially meaningful.
He did not identify the specific Travolta film during the excerpt provided.
Sam Asghari first gained widespread public attention through his modeling work before expanding into acting. In recent years, he has appeared in television and film projects while continuing to build his profile in Hollywood.
Although much of the public spotlight has focused on his personal life, Asghari has increasingly spoken about causes that matter to him, including the humanitarian situation in Iran.
His comments on TMZ Live reflect a broader effort to use his growing visibility to discuss issues beyond entertainment.
Why It Matters
Public figures often choose to use their platforms to raise awareness about causes they believe deserve greater attention.
For Asghari, those issues are closely tied to his own life story. Having immigrated from Iran as a child, he says his experiences have given him a unique perspective on freedom, opportunity, and the importance of advocating for basic human rights.
His remarks also illustrate how celebrities increasingly blend their professional work with social and humanitarian advocacy.
Human Angle
For Asghari, this conversation isn’t just about politics—it’s about perspective.
His journey from Tehran to Hollywood has shaped the way he views opportunity, and he says that experience motivates him to support people who do not enjoy the same freedoms he now has. Whether through interviews, activism, or his work on screen, Asghari says he hopes his voice can help draw attention to those still seeking theirs.
As Sam Asghari’s acting career continues to evolve, he says his biggest goal isn’t simply earning recognition in Hollywood—it’s making sure the spotlight he has can also illuminate issues that matter beyond the big screen.
