In 2020 he took his new married last name of Strong, and added his birth middle name Farzad. He has been married to actress Brenda Strong (Desperate Housewives, Starship Troopers, Seinfeld) since 2015.
Farmanesh-Bocca was the recipient of a Juilliard Directing Fellowship (03'-05') Only two Professional Theatre Directors are chosen, every three years, for this highly coveted Directing Fellowship.
John Farzad Strong, A.K.A. John Farmanesh-Bocca was both the Artistic Director of both Not Man Apart - Physical Theatre Ensemble' as well as 'Shakespeare Santa Monica' which celebrated it's tenth year anniversary in 2013.
The Short Film 'An Engagement' directed by John Farmanesh-Bocca is an Official Selection at the Malibu International Film Festival, Carmel Art & Film Festival, Philadelphia International Film Festival and The Burbank International Film Festival.
John Farmanesh-Bocca Directed the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe First Award winning play "Wish I Had A Sylvia Plath" which he also co-created. His other play at Edinburgh "Pericles Redux" became a Festival Favorite in 2009. Eventually having it's Los Angeles premiere at The Kirk Douglas Theatre in 2010.