Omar Berdouni

Born

1979-07-20

Birthplace

Tangier, Morocco

Biography

Omar Berdouni – Moroccan actor, born 20 July 1979 in Tangier, Morocco. Grew up in Tangier and pursued acting as a hobby before moving to London, where he graduated from the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in 2003. He is best known for portraying Middle Eastern and North African characters in Hollywood films focused on counterterrorism and geopolitical conflict. His most notable film roles include Ahmed al-Haznawi in United 93 (2006, directed by Paul Greengrass), Prince Ahmed Bin Khaled in The Kingdom (2007), Al-Saleem's Lieutenant in Body of Lies (2008, opposite Leonardo DiCaprio), Righteous Ali in Green Zone (2010, directed by Paul Greengrass), Nemo in Captain Phillips (2013, directed by Paul Greengrass), and Faiz Jaber in 7 Days in Entebbe (2018). On television he appeared as Ramzi bin al-Shibh in The Hamburg Cell (2004), Ahmed in the BBC series Occupation (2009), and Yassir in Strike Back (2010). He almost turned down his role in United 93 due to concerns about Hollywood stereotyping Arabs, but ultimately researched primary sources including Muhammad Atta's instructional letter to the operatives to bring authenticity to the performance.