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Portrait of Waleed Zuaiter

Waleed Zuaiter

Versatile Palestinian-American Actor, Arab Storyteller.

Born
19 January 1971
Born in
Sacramento, California, U.S
Path
Cinema
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Why Waleed is here

His impactful roles, including his BAFTA-nominated performance in "Baghdad Central," his work in the Oscar-nominated film "Omar," and his portrayal of complex characters in Western cinema, have significantly contributed to changing the narrative around Arab characters in global media.

Their story

Waleed Zuaiter is a Palestinian American actor and producer, born in Sacramento, California, and raised in Kuwait. He has worked on stage in Washington, Berkeley and New York, and in films such as The Men Who Stare at Goats and London Has Fallen.

He produced and co-starred in Hany Abu-Assad's Omar (2013), Palestine's entry to the Academy Awards, which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film. In 2021 he played PLO negotiator Hassan Asfour in the HBO film Oslo.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Waleed’s path.

  1. Hollywood Roles

    Played a significant role in "The Men Who Stare at Goats" alongside George Clooney.

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  2. BAFTA Nomination

    Received a BAFTA nomination for his leading role in "Baghdad Central" in 2021.

  3. Role in 'Oslo'

    Portrayed Hassan Asfour in the HBO film "Oslo," showcasing the Oslo I Accord negotiations.

  4. 'Gangs of London'

    Co-starred as Koba in the second season of "Gangs of London" in 2022, expanding his range into crime drama.

  5. 'Omar' - Producer and Actor

    Produced and starred in "Omar," contributing to one of the few Palestinian films to be nominated for an Oscar.

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Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Broadening Representation

    Through his diverse roles, Zuaiter has broadened the representation of Arab characters in Western media.

  2. Cultural Dialogue

    His work encourages cultural dialogue and understanding, especially through films like "Omar" that bring Palestinian stories to a global audience.

  3. Award-Nominated Performances

    His performances have been recognized by prestigious institutions, including a BAFTA nomination.

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  4. Producing Impactful Cinema

    By producing "Omar," Zuaiter contributed to one of the few Palestinian films nominated for an Oscar.

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  5. Versatile Acting Roles

    His roles span from television series like "The Spy" to films like "London Has Fallen," showcasing his versatility as an actor.

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