Armenian Film Foundation: Documentation & Preservation of Armenian Heritage

Mary Apick

Mary began her acting career as a child star in Iran. One of her earliest successes was Octopus, a long running television show where Mary performed in political and satirical skits that helped change and liberalize the society. Going on to star in countless television shows, feature films and plays, Mary became one of the most popular stars in Iran. She was the first actress in the Iranian Motion Picture history to win the Moscow International Film Festival Best Actress Award for her performance in Dead End, written and directed by Parviz Sayyad.

The Iranian revolution forced Mary to flee the country and find her new home in the United States. Here in America Mary starred in two critically acclaimed films, The Mission and Checkpoint. She also played featured roles in productions such as the NBC miniseries On Wings of Eagles and produced the MGM release, Mind Games. While working with her partner, Bob Yari, producer of the Academy Award winning film Crash, Mary expanded her involvement in socially significant projects.

Among many awards she recently received the prestigious ARPA International Film Festival Foundation Award for her Humanitarian efforts using the theater to mirror the true voices and the stories of the women of the Middle East. Theater has always been Mary’s greatest passion. In 2005, she wrote, directed and produced the politically charged Critic's Choice play Beneath The Veil which was presented in many prestigious venues such as Lincoln and Kennedy Center and Geffen playhouse.

Mary has also created many projects for children, including A Fairy Tale In The Forest and Jewel of The Night, which gives the children of Iranian expatriates a bio lingual fairy tale show and an opportunity to learn about their parents’ culture and homeland. Her recent portrayal of the role of the Mother in the movie "I am Neda" received a nomination for the Best Supporting Actress for Mary in 2012 at the World Music and Independent Film Festival. She also worked with Robert Redford and Sydney Pollack at the First Sun Dance Institute.

Throughout her adult life, Mary has remained fiercely committed to improving the lives of women and children, especially in the Middle East. Through her work as an advocate for clearing land mines and reducing their use, and appearing as a spokesperson before the U.S. Congress and in all media, Mary remains vigilant and vocal in the pursuit of all freedoms.

Check out the acclaimed book "The Green Card Stories", that featured Mary Apick. The book which won the "Best of Photojournalism Award 2012" will be presented to President Obama at the Whitehouse.