Omid Djalili
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Omid Djalili

Omid Djalili is a highly acclaimed British-Iranian comedian, actor, and writer, born on September 30, 1965, in Chelsea, London. Raised by Iranian Baha'i parents, Djalili's early life and background have significantly influenced his unique brand of humor, which often touches upon cultural differences and stereotypes. He studied English and Theatre Studies at Ulster University in Northern Ireland.Djalili's career began in stand-up comedy, where he quickly gained recognition for his energetic stage presence, distinct voices, and clever observational humor. His breakthrough came at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1995 with "Short, Fat Kebab Shop Owner's Son," followed by further success with "The Arab and the Jew." He has won numerous awards for his comedy, including the EMMA Award, Time Out Award, and LWT Comedy Award for Best Stand-up Comedian, as well as the Spirit of the Fringe Award.Beyond stand-up, Djalili has built an extensive and versatile acting career across film, television, and theatre. He is known for his roles in major Hollywood productions such as "Gladiator," "The Mummy," "Notting Hill," "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," and "Sex and the City 2." On television, he has appeared in his own BBC One show, "The Omid Djalili Show," and has co-starred in NBC's sitcom "Whoopi" alongside Whoopi Goldberg. His diverse TV credits also include "Black Books," "Lead Balloon," and "His Dark Materials." In theatre, he has taken on significant roles such as Fagin in the West End production of "Oliver!" and Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof." Djalili has also lent his voice to video games, notably as Yusuf Amir in the "Grand Theft Auto" series. He is also an executive producer of the acclaimed documentary "We Are Many." His autobiography, "Hopeful," was a Sunday Times bestseller.

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