Moran Atias

Moran Atias (; ; born 9 April 1981) is an Israeli actress and model. She gained fame in the Italian films Gas, Oggi sposi, and Mother of Tears. She is best known for her work with Paul Haggis in the 2008 TV series Crash and the 2013 film Third Person. She also starred on the FX television series Tyrant.

Early life Atias was born in Haifa, Israel, to parents of Moroccan Jewish descent. She appeared on the youth television programme Out of Focus at age 15. Her plan to serve as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces was frustrated by a diagnosis of meningitis at age 17. She pursued modelling instead in Germany and then in Italy, where she was discovered and became a model for Roberto Cavalli. Her younger sister is Israeli actress Shani Atias.

Career Modelling Atias first appeared on television when she was 15, starring in the Israeli youth program Out of Focus. By the age of 17, she went to Germany to launch her modelling career. She modelled for Roberto Cavalli, D&G, and BBG jewellers. Later, she hosted an Italian talk show. She also served as a producer and worked to adapt it into a US series. She was cast in the new FX series Tyrant by the creators of the successful television series Homeland by creator and fellow Israeli, Gideon Raff.

Her work on the film The Next Three Days led to Third Person, a project that Atias pitched and helped develop with Paul Haggis. She was chosen to play the role of 'Monika,' a Romanian gypsy. To prepare for the role, she lived in Italy for four months and immersed herself in the gypsy lifestyle, living without the basics of running water or electricity. She studied with Michael Margota at the Italian Actor's Studio to perfect the Italian and Romanian accents. She also served as a co-producer and a co-consultant for the script. The film premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.

Humanitarian work In Italy, she was the 2005–06 spokeswoman for the City of Milan in their campaigns against graffiti and animal cruelty in the city.

Atias participated in the Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) volunteer mission with Sean Penn following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, in which she assisted the evacuation of refugees to Florida. In 2022 Moran gave birth to a daughter as a single mother.

Filmography Film

Television

Television Hosting Kdam Eurovision (2005) – First Channel, Israel Deal or No Deal Game programme (13 total), (2005) – Channel 10, Israel "Cinderella" Biographical documentary of Moran Atias, prime time (2004) – Channel 10, Israel

TV series Crash, a Starz network series, recurring cast (2008), and second season (2009) regular cast CSI: NY, guest star (2010) Rules of Engagement episode "Anniversary Chicken", guest star as Sophia (2011) White Collar, role of Christie (2011) Tyrant, role of Leila Al-Fayeed (2014–2016) 24: Legacy, role of Sidra (2017) Animal Kingdom, role of Louise Thompson (2021)

Italian TV programmes as sidekick "Carramba Che Fortuna" – RaiUno, Italy (2000) "Superconvenscion" – RaiDue, Italy (2000–01) "Italiani" – Canale 5, Italy (2001) "Matricole & Meteore" – Italia 1, Italy (2003) "I Raccomandati" – RaiUno, Italy (2003–04) "Natalino Balasso Show" – Italia 1, Italy (2004–05)

Magazines Men's Health United States Nylon Guys United States Gioia magazine cover Vanity Fair Italy Cosmopolitan – Covers for Spain, Israel, Serbia, Mexico Maxim United States Maxim Israel Cover Flaunt United States Men's Fitness United States 944 USA 60 Magazine – writing a monthly column for an established fashion magazine for the female audience. Rosh 1 – teen magazine Photo Italy, Max Italy 2002–2004, Corriere della Sera Special Moda, Capital Italy, Class Italy, Onda TV, Happy Web, Leisha Israel, AT Israel, Pnai Plus Israel, GO Magazine, Blazer Israel, Olam HaIsha Israel, Yedioth and Maariv Israeli newspapers

Radio work Shaker – Radio RTL 102.5 – a radio programme created and presented by Moran Atias (2005)

Awards

2014 – Capri Mediterranean Award for her role in Third Person 2014 – LA Femme Filmmaker Award Humanitarian Award