The ceremony was attended by his family, colleagues and students, where friends and admirers paid homage to his lifelong dedication to the arts.

Beyzaiee, one of Iran’s most influential cultural figures in cinema, theatre and literature passed away on Dec. 26, 2025, the same day as his birth, in California, United States, where he had lived in recent years, according to the Iranian Studies Program at Stanford University and family statements.

Born in Tehran in 1938, Beyzaiee built a prolific career as a filmmaker, playwright, director, screenwriter and scholar, widely regarded as a pioneer of modern Iranian cinema and theatre. His work explored Persian mythology, cultural identity and social themes, shaping generations of artists in Iran and abroad.

Among his most acclaimed films were Bashu, the Little Stranger and Death of Yazdgerd, and he authored numerous plays and scholarly works on Persian drama and performance. In later years, Beyzaiee taught at Stanford University, where he continued to promote Iranian culture and arts.

Tributes have poured in from cultural communities and public figures. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described his death as a “loss for the country’s artistic and cultural community,” praising Beyzaiee’s enduring contributions to storytelling and national heritage.

Beyzaiee’s passing marks the end of an era for Iran’s artistic landscape, but his works and influence are expected to remain central to Persian cultural memory.