Arsinée Khanjian Biography

ARSINEE KHANJIAN

Date of Birth: September 6, 1958

Arsinée Khanjian was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to Armenian parents. The family fled their unstable country and headed to Montreal in 1975, where Khanjian studied at Concordia University and received an undergraduate degree in Spanish and French. She continued with a Master's degree in political science at the University of Montreal before meeting her husband-to-be, Toronto-based director Atom Egoyan, and transferring to the University of Toronto. She acted in several stage productions in Toronto such as Brother Andre's Heart and Wedding at the Cro-Magnon's before Egoyan convinced her to star in his first film, Next of Kin (1984). In 1984 she gave up her full-time job with the Ontario Arts Council to pursue acting seriously.

Khanjian has since appeared in most of Egoyan's films. Examples include Family Viewing (1987), Speaking Parts (1989), The Adjuster (1991), Calendar (1993), Exotica (1994), The Sweet Hereafter (1997), Felicia's Journey (1999), Ararat (2002) (for which she received a Genie award for Best Actress), Where the Truth Lies (2005) and Adoration (2009). Other film credits include Sabah (2005) and Don McKellar's widely acclaimed Last Night (1998). Television appearances include Side Effects, Foolish Heart, Made in Canada and Slings and Arrows.

Khanjian's husband credits her for inspiring him to further explore his Armenian roots. The pair live in Toronto with their son, Arshile.

Filmography

Adoration (2009)
La masseria delle allodole (2007)
Where the Truth Lies (2005)
Sabah (2005)
Ararat (2002)
Felicia's Journey (1999)
Fin août, début septembre (1998)
Last Night (1998)
The Sweet Hereafter (1997)
Irma Vep (1996)
Exotica (1994)
Calendar (1993)
The Adjuster (1991)
Speaking Parts (1989)
Family Viewing (1987)
Next of Kin (1984)