Bita Lahrakhani (Persian: بیتا لهارخانی; 3 January 1958 – 25 November 2023), better known as Bita Farrahi (Persian: بيتا فرهی), was an Iranian actress.

Bita Farrahi studied art at John Powers' School^{[citation needed]} in the United States. She worked as a professional model for art magazines in California, left the US in 1985, and returned to Iran. Her talent as an actress was noticed by director Darius Mehrjui. She began her acting career with Hamoun in 1989.^[2] She was most noted for her willingness to play the roles of intellectual, independent women who are struggling with family and psychological problems.^{[citation needed]}

Bita Farahi Laharkhani was born on January 3, 1958, in Tehran, Iran. She is the daughter of Monir Farahi and Cyrus Laharkhani Dinbali, and she is the niece of Farhang Farahi. Bita's mother was involved in artistic activities in the 1930s and performed on theater stages, while her father produced cultural and artistic programs for Radio Tehran.

In 1973, Bita Farahi married Hassan Ghoreishy, the head of Keyhan Publications. She won the Miss World Award in 1973. In 1978, Bita Farahi went to the United States to continue her studies, attending the John Robert Powers School in California. She returned to Iran in 1981.

Naser Cheshmazar introduced her to Dariush Mehrjui for the role of Mahshid in the film "Hamoun" (1989), marking Bita Farahi's debut in acting at the age of 31. Her performance in "Hamoun" earned her the Diploma of Honor for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 8th Fajr Film Festival. In the following years, Farahi continued her career with directors such as Ahmad Reza Darvish, Bahman Farmanara, Masoud Kimiai, and Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, receiving nominations for the Crystal Simorgh Award for her roles in "Kimia" (1994), "A House on Water" (2001), and "Blood Play" (2006).

In 2017, she appeared as a guest on the television show "Dorehami," directed by Mehran Modiri, and also participated in "Khandevaneh," directed by Rambod Javan, in 2018.

Bita Farahi was the only child of her family and spent her childhood in the vicinity of Baharestan Square. Encouraged by her uncle, Farhang Farahi, Bita participated in the "Best Daughter" competition in 1973. During the event, she met Mr. Hassan Ghoreishy, the head of Keyhan Publications, and their acquaintance paved the way for Bita's marriage to Hassan Ghoreishy.

In the later years of her life, Bita Farahi divided her time between Paris and Tehran. She had a daughter named Mahsa Ghoreishy, who resides in France.

She died of complications from heart and lung disease on 25 November 2023, at the age of 64.^[3]

Cinema

Television

Home Theater

Short Film

• Hamoun (1989)^[2][4]
• Baanoo (1991 - aka The Lady, released in 1999)
• Kimia (1995 - aka Alchemy)
• Cardboard Hotel (1997)
• Life (1997)
• Velayate Eshgh (2000 - TV Series)
• Eteraz (2000 - aka Protest)
• Khanei ruye ab (2002 - aka A House Built on Water)
• Pedar e Khak (2001- aka The Father of the Dust)
• Telesmshodegan (2004- TV Series)
• Khoon bazi (2006 - aka Mainline)
• Parkway (2007)
• Khak e Ashena (2008)
• Shab va Ghasham be Deltangi (2010)
• Shish va Besh (2011)
• Kharash (aka Scra) (2011)
• Island (2021 - 2022 TV Series)