Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D actor Vachik Mangassarian dies of Covid complications aged 78
- Hollywood actor Vachik Mangassarian, 78, has died of Covid complications
- He was known for starring as Qasim Zaghlul in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D
- Born in Iran and of Armenian descent, he emigrated to the US when he was 23
- Mangassarian also landed roles in Curb Your Enthusiasm and NCIS: Los Angeles
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D actor Vachik Mangassarian has died of Covid complications at the age of 78.
He was best known for starring as Qasim Zaghlul in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
He also had roles in Curb Your Enthusiasm and NCIS: Los Angeles.
The star’s agents said he died of Covid complications in Burbank, California.
Mangassarian was of Armenian descent and was born in Iran in 1943. However, he moved to the US in the 1966 at the age of 23.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D actor Vachik Mangassarian, 78, (pictured) has died of Covid complications
Vachik Mangassarian (left) and Navid Negahban in The Stoning of Soraya M, a Persian-language drama made in 2008
Michael Landon, Vachik Mangassarian, and Nehemiah Persoff in 1984 film Highway to Heaven
He started out as a waiter in Los Angeles but always hoped to become an actor and had roles when he was a young man in Iranian films and in theatre.
The star landed his first Hollywood role aged 35 when he played in 1978 film The South’s Shark.
He appeared in a string of TV shows before getting a role as a father in 2008 Persian-language American film The Stoning of Soraya M starring American film legend Jim Caviezel.
Mangassarian also had roles in Curb Your Enthusiasm and NCIS: Los Angeles. He died in Burbank, California
Mangassarian's former colleagues and fans took to social media to pay their respects to the actor
It was for his portrayal of a world-famous architect, Qasim Zaghlul, in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D that Mangassarian will best be remembered for.
After his spell in Marvel in 2013 he took up a guest starring role in Curb Your Enthusiasm four years later and played his final role in 2019 for NCIS: Los Angeles.
Mangassarian was a passionate advocate for the Armenian community and had a radio and a TV show focused on art, film and politics called The Armenian National Network, which he hosted for 10 years.
Following his death Mangassarian's former colleagues and fans took to social media to pay their respects to the actor.
One said: 'Rest in Peace. Such a kind man. I had the pleasure of working with him years ago.'
Another added: 'I am shocked. He will be missed.'
He is survived by his sisters Linda Lalaian and Elda Hacopian.
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