EXCLUSIVE

Michael Nouri -- the famous character actor known for roles in "Flashdance" and "The Proposal" -- was arrested yesterday on suspicion of felony domestic violence ... TMZ has learned. 

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... police received a 911 call around 6:00 PM on Friday to a home in Beverly Hills. We're told when cops arrived, they were told a fight between Nouri and his girlfriend had turned from verbal to physical. 

According to our sources, cops observed Nouri's girlfriend with visible marks and arrested Nouri on the spot. 

He was held on $50,000 bond and released around 1:00 AM this morning.