More Omid Djalili Bios & Profiles

The most recent Omid Djalili biography is published on the main page.

Biography #2 (for Whoopi)

Djalili is Britain's only Iranian standup comedian and actor. His international appeal extends to having performed in over 12 countries. In 1994, he won the Spirit of the Fringe Award at the Edinburgh Festival. He then became a Fringe favorite with a string of sell-out shows, Short Fat Kebab Shop Owner's Son, The Arab and the Jew and a string of other solo stand-up shows winning another Spirit of the Fringe Award in 1999. He was then nominated for the Perrier Award in 2002.

Raised as the son of an Iranian reporter and a dress maker, his comedic interests sparked at a young age. Later he attended The University of Ulster, Coleraine in Northern Ireland and earned a degree in English and theater studies.

Djalili has also appeared on the big screen in The Mummy, Gladiator, Spygame, Anita and Me, Mean Machine and the James Bond movie The World Is Not Enough. More recently, he has filmed on Deadline Beirut, Calcium Kid (with Orlando Bloom) and will appear in the role of Kaji in World of Tomorrow with Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow. His latest film is Modigliani where he will play Picasso opposite Andy Garcia in the title role.

When not performing, Djalili enjoys soccer, tennis and backgammon. He also devotes time to charities including the Refugee Council in the United Kingdom. He resides in London with his wife, actress and writer Annabel King, and their three children.

Bio courtesy NBC for "Whoopi" (01-Jan-2000)

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