Darren Majian Shahlavi, a talented English actor, martial artist, and stuntman, was born on August 5, 1972, and passed away on January 14, 2015. Although he was sometimes credited as Shahlavi, his surname of Persian origin remains a testament to his rich cultural heritage.
Shahlavi's acting career was marked by his versatility, with notable roles in a wide range of films. He may be most famous for his portrayal of Taylor "The Twister" Milos in the 2010 film Ip Man 2, which cemented his status as a prominent figure in the martial arts film genre.
Throughout his career, Shahlavi was known for his ability to bring depth and nuance to his characters, often taking on the roles of villains in martial arts films such as Bloodmoon and Tai Chi Boxer. He also had the opportunity to star in the Asian film series The Techno Warriors and American films like Hostile Environment, Sometimes a Hero, Legion of the Dead, and Beyond the Limits, a cult classic directed by German horror master Olaf Ittenbach.
In addition to his work in martial arts films, Shahlavi appeared in big-budget productions such as 300 and Watchmen, as well as independent features like The Final Cut, which starred the legendary Robin Williams. He also worked as an actor and stuntman on several films directed by Uwe Boll, including BloodRayne and In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale.