The present embodiments relate to a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write head with an iridium (Ir) film. The Ir film can include a body layer and a plasmon generator (PG) film comprising Iridium with a thin Ir seed layer. The Ir seed layer can be in direct contact with a dielectric (aluminum oxide). The thickness of the Ir film can be 40 nanometers or less including both a body layer and the seed layer. Incorporating Iridium as a material used for a PG can be a high surface plasmon efficient material with also being reliable under high temperature irradiation during a heat-assisted writing process.