Language: English Updated: 2025-11-30

Deran Sarafian

Early Life and Family

Born in Los Angeles, California, Deran Sarafian is the son of acclaimed film director [[Richard C. Sarafian]]. His uncle was renowned director [[Robert Altman]]. He has two brothers, T.J. Sarafian and Damon Sarafian, who are also involved in the film industry. This familial background in filmmaking significantly influenced his career path.

Career

Sarafian began his career in the 1980s, initially taking on acting roles in films such as The Gladiators (1986) and Pact with the Devil (1987). He soon transitioned into directing, making his feature film directorial debut with Death Warrant in 1990, starring [[Jean-Claude Van Damme]]. Other notable film credits include the action-thriller Terminal Velocity (1994) starring [[Charlie Sheen]] and [[Nastassja Kinski]], and Road House 2 (2006).

However, Sarafian has primarily made his mark as a prolific and respected television director. He has directed episodes for a vast array of high-profile and genre-defining series across various networks. His extensive television directing credits include:

  • The X-Files
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer
  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (and its various spin-offs)
  • Smallville
  • House M.D. (where he also served as a supervising producer and directed many key episodes, including the pilot for the spin-off Cutthroat)
  • Lost
  • The Shield
  • Nikita
  • Fringe
  • The Strain
  • The Tick
  • Swamp Thing
  • The Boys
  • Gen V
  • Doom Patrol
  • Legacies
  • Lucifer

Sarafian is often sought after for his ability to handle complex action sequences, character-driven drama, and pilot episodes, helping to establish the visual and narrative tone of new series. His work on House M.D., in particular, earned him recognition for his consistent direction throughout the series' run.

Filmography (as Director)

  • Death Warrant (1990)
  • Street Justice (1991)
  • Back in the U.S.S.R. (1992)
  • Gunmen (1993)
  • Terminal Velocity (1994)
  • Road House 2 (2006)

Selected Television Episodes (as Director)

  • The X-Files (e.g., "Syzygy", "Tempus Fugit")
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer (e.g., "Killed by Death")
  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (multiple episodes)
  • CSI: Miami (multiple episodes)
  • CSI: NY (multiple episodes)
  • Smallville (multiple episodes)
  • House M.D. (multiple episodes, also supervising producer)
  • Lost (e.g., "The Economist", "Ji Yeon")
  • The Shield (multiple episodes)
  • Nikita (multiple episodes)
  • Fringe (multiple episodes)
  • The Strain (multiple episodes)
  • The Tick (multiple episodes)
  • Swamp Thing (e.g., "Worlds Apart")
  • Doom Patrol (e.g., "Therapy Patrol")
  • The Boys (e.g., "You Found Me", "Good for the Soul")
  • Gen V (multiple episodes)

[[Category:American film directors]] [[Category:American television directors]] [[Category:American film producers]] [[Category:American television producers]]

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