Iranian actor, director, screenwriter and producer Parvīz Sayyād was born in Lahijan (1939) and is a graduate in Economics from the University of Tehran. Since his youth, he was engaged in literary and artistic activities, including writing and publishing poems, stories, and plays, and then he began his film career in 1959 by writing the script for the movie Mīmīram Barāy-i pūl (I Die for Money), directed by Mahdī Ra’īsfīrūz. The following year, in 1960, he began working as a writer and actor for Iran’s newly formed National Television. Like many others from theatre who joined National Television, Sayyād started producing teletheatre shows until 1970. Sayyād is known for directing and starring in the Iranian television series Sarkār Ustuvār (Sergeant; 1967) and Ukhtāpūs (Octopus; 1971). In Sarkār Ustuvār, Sayyād’s popularity was boosted by the creation of the character “Samad.” With the help of filmmaker ‛Ali ‛Abbāsī, Sayyad directed his first film, Samad va Ghālichah yi Hazrat-i Sulaymān (Samad and the Carpet of the Prophet Solomon; 1969), using the same character, which increased Samad’s and Sayyād’s popularity. At the same time, he continued producing shows for National Television. Sayyād continued to act and direct comedy films portraying his iconic role Samad in his subsequent films, including Samad va Fulād Zirih Dīv (Samad and Fulād Zirih, the Ogre; 1972), on which he served as writer and actor, and in the following productions, on which he was credited as writer, director, and actor: Samad va Samī, Leilī va Leilī (Samad and Sami, Leyla and Lili; 1972); Samad bi Madrisah Mīravad (Samad Goes to School; 1973); Samad Ārtīst Mīshavad (Samad Becomes an Actor; 1974); Samad Khushbakht Mīshavad (Samad Becomes Fortunate; 1975); Samad dar Rah-i Ijdihā (Samad on the Way to the Dragon; 1977); Samad dar bih dar mīshavad (Samad Becomes Homeless; 1978); Samad bi Jibh-i Mīravad (Samad Goes to the Front; 1979); and  Samad az Jang bar Mīgardad (Samad Returns from the War; 1988). Sayyād was one of the founders of the Association of Leading Cinematographers and, as a result of his performances, has become a well-known actor and director in the history of Iranian cinema.