He briefly studied to become a pharmacist, but soon dropped out. Iraj Ghaderi studied in pharmacology but did not finish the program
He died in Tehran on 6 May 2012, aged 77. His artistic career began in 1956 with playing in the film "Intersection Accidents" by Samuel Khachikian. He established the film company "Panorama" with Moosa Afshar in 1963.
He, who is often recognized as one of the film makers of the pre-revolution cinema, continued his film making activities with the film "Taraj" in 1985 after the revolution.
Iraj Ghaderi was hospitalized in Mehrdad hospital in May 2012 due to exacerbation of lung cancer and was died on 6 May. He was buried at Karaj"s Behesht Sakineh cemetery.