Barkhad Abdi is a Somali-American actor who came into the limelight as a result of his stunning performance as Abduwali Muse in the 2013 biographical survival film Captain Philips. For his work in the film, he won a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. He was highly praised for his performances in films such as Extortion, Blade Runner 2049 and The Pirates of Somalia.
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Barkhad Abdi Biography
Barkhad Abdi was born on the 10th of April 1985, in Mogadishu, Banaadir, Somalia. He is currently 37 years old.
| Birth Name | Barkhad Abdinasir Abdi |
| Nickname | Barkhad Abdi |
| Date of Birth | April 10, 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Mogadishu, Banaadir, Somalia |
| Age | 37 years old |
| Sun Sign | Aries |
| Profession | Actor, Director |
| Nationality | Somalian, American |
| Ethnicity | Black |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Family
- Father – Unknown (Teacher)
- Mother – Unknown
- Siblings – He has two brothers and one sister.
Education
Barkhad attended Roosevelt High School, and later graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Barkhad Abdi Love Life
Barkhad Abdi has kept his personal life discreet from his professional life and thus there is not much information available about any relationship he has had in the past or in the present.
Physical Statistics
| Height | Feet – 5 feet 10 inches Centimeters – 178 cm Meters – 1.78 m |
| Weight | Kilograms – 65 kg Pounds – 143 lbs |
| Body Build | Slim |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Distinctive Features | Skeletal figure and pronounced front teeth |
Professional Statistics
Film Debut
Barkhad Abdi landed his first acting role in the 2013 film Captain Phillips, playing ship hijacker and pirate leader Abduwali Muse. His performance in the film catapulted him to the spotlight and received rave reviews from critics and the audience. He was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actor, the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and a Golden Globe Award, and won a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. He earned only $65,000 as a salary for his work in the film.
Television Debut
In 2015, Abdi played Roko Makoni, former warlord, in an episode of the American action police procedural television series Hawaii Five-0.
Famous For
Best known for playing Abduwali Muse, a ship hijacker and pirate leader, in the 2013 biographical survival thriller film Captain Philips. The film was directed by Paul Greengrass starring Tom Hanks in the lead role.
Brand Endorsements
In 2013, Abdi was made the Ambassador for Adesso, an NGO founded by the Somali environmentalist Fatima Jibrell.
Barkhad Abdi Net Worth
As of 2024, Barkhad Abdi has an estimated net worth of $500 thousand dollars. He owns houses in Los Angeles, California, as well as Cedar-Riverside, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Barkhad Abdi Facts
His family moved to Yemen when he was seven years old during the Somali Civil War and later relocated to a large Somali community in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He worked as a cell phone salesman, limo driver, and DJ before landing a role in Captain Philips. He had no prior acting experience and took part in the casting call in Minneapolis and was subsequently chosen for the role of Abduwali Muse.
After filming for Captain Philips, he immediately returned to work in his brother’s mobile shop at a mall in Minneapolis.
Besides his successful acting career, he has also directed a Somali film, Ciyaalka Xaafada, as well as several music videos.
The notable lump on his forehead came from a car accident he was in some time prior to auditioning for Captain Phillips.
Abdi will be next seen in the movies The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir and A Girl from Mogadishu.