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Mani Soleymanlou

Mani Soleymanlou is a Canadian actor, playwright, and theatre director based in Montreal, Quebec.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mani Soleymanlou is a Canadian actor, playwright, and theatre director based in Montreal, Quebec. Born in 1982 and originally from Iran, he is also known as the artistic director of the French Theatre at the National Arts Centre and for his television role in C'est comme ça que je t'aime.

Early life and education

Soleymanlou was born in 1982 in Tehran, Iran, and later moved to Canada. He graduated from the National Theatre School of Canada in 2008.

Theatre career

He has built a career in Montreal theatre as an actor, playwright, and director. In 2011, he founded Orange Noyée, the company associated with several of his identity-focused stage works. His work often explores identity, community, and social relationships.

Screen work

Soleymanlou has appeared in television and film productions in Quebec. He is especially noted for his role as police officer Robert 'Coco' Bédard in C'est comme ça que je t'aime.

Leadership roles

In 2021, he became artistic director of the French Theatre at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. This role placed him in a major leadership position in Canadian francophone theatre.

Key facts

  • He graduated from the National Theatre School of Canada in 2008.
  • He founded the Montreal-based theatre company Orange Noyée in 2011.
  • His work often explores identity, community, and social relationships.
  • He became artistic director of the French Theatre at the National Arts Centre in 2021.
  • He is known on screen for roles in Quebec television and film, including C'est comme ça que je t'aime.
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Canadian context

He is a prominent figure in Canadian francophone theatre, with major ties to Montreal and Ottawa, and he works in both Quebec television and national theatre leadership.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Mani Soleymanlou?
He is a Canadian actor, playwright, and theatre director known for theatre creation and television roles in Quebec.
Where was Mani Soleymanlou born?
He was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1982.
What is Mani Soleymanlou known for?
He is known for founding Orange Noyée, creating identity-themed stage works, and acting in C'est comme ça que je t'aime.
What is Orange Noyée?
Orange Noyée is a Montreal-based theatre company founded by Soleymanlou in 2011.
What position does he hold at the National Arts Centre?
He is the artistic director of the French Theatre at the National Arts Centre.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mani_Soleymanlou
    Supports: Birth year, Canadian actor/playwright based in Montreal, television role, and National Arts Centre position.
  2. Wikipediahttps://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mani_Soleymanlou
    Supports: Québécois actor/playwright/director of Iranian origin, graduation year, Orange Noyée, and National Arts Centre role.
  3. National Arts Centrehttps://nac-cna.ca/en/bio/mani-soleymanlou
    Supports: 2008 graduation, theatre background, Orange Noyée founding, artistic-director role beginning in 2021.
  4. Duceppehttps://duceppe.com/profils/mani-soleymanlou/
    Supports: Theatre career, Orange Noyée founding, screen roles, and major film/television appearances.
  5. Siminovitch Theatre Foundationhttps://siminovitchprize.com/people/mani-soleymanlou/
    Supports: Career overview, Orange Noyée founding, identity-focused trilogy, and National Arts Centre role.