Karren Karagulian Biography: Movies, Wife, Age, Net Worth, Awards, Ethnicity, Instagram, Religion

Karren Karagulian is an Armenian-American actor, producer, and screenwriter whose long-time collaboration with filmmaker Sean Baker has defined his career.

From his early supporting roles in independent cinema to his acclaimed performance as Toros in Anora (2024), Karagulian’s work reflects deep authenticity rooted in his immigrant experience and street-level realism.

Profile

• Full name: Karren Karagulian
• Date of birth: 1969
• Age: 56 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Armenian SSR, Soviet Union
• Nationality: Armenian-American
• Profession: Actor, Producer, Screenwriter
• Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
• Weight: 72 kg (159 lbs)
• Eye color: Dark brown
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: N/A
• Religion: Christian
• Ethnicity: Armenian
• Net worth: $1 million

Early Life and Education

Karren Karagulian was born in 1969 in the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (now Armenia). At the age of 18, he completed mandatory service in the Soviet Army stationed in Saint Petersburg. He later immigrated to the United States around age 20, settling in New York City, where he began his lifelong creative partnership with film students from NYU, including Sean Baker.

Karagulian did not attend formal acting school. Instead, he developed his craft through hands-on experience, contributing to independent film productions, and learning on set.

His Armenian heritage and experiences as an immigrant navigating American urban life profoundly shape his performances.

Personal Life

Karen Karagulian keeps a low public profile and avoids social media controversy or gossip. While his close friendships with independent filmmakers are well known, there is no verified information about a spouse or children.

Career

Karren Karagulian’s career began modestly: he appeared in low-budget films and student projects, especially those affiliated with Sean Baker. His first credited film role with Baker was in Four Letter Words (2000), in which he played a gas station clerk.

Over the years he appeared in Baker’s films such as Take Out (2004) and later in Tangerine (2015), where he also contributed behind the scenes—helping with Armenian dialogue, subtitles, and finding Armenian actors.

In 2024 he portrayed the character Toros in Anora, a film that brought him renewed attention and acclaim. He described Toros as a wealthy Russian-Armenian immigrant enforcer caught between loyalty, family, survival and culture.

Karagulian has said that although he considered retirement prior to this film, Anora’s success encouraged him to engage more earnestly with acting again.

Awards

• Nomination: Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Performance (Anora, 2024)
• Recipient: Sarasota Film Festival Ensemble Cast Award (shared with Anora cast, 2024)

Net Worth

Karren Karagulian’s estimated net worth is $1 million. Accrued from acting, co-producing, screenwriting contributions etc.

Social Media

• Instagram: @karrenkaragulian

Filmography

• Four Letter Words (2000)
• Take Out (2004)
• Prince of Broadway (2008)
• Starlet (2012)
• Tangerine (2015)
• The Florida Project (2017)
• Red Rocket (2021)
• Anora (2024)
• The Man with the Bag (2025)
• The Adventures of Cliff Booth (TBA)