Biography
Who is Barkhad Abdi?
Early life and background
Barkhad Abdi was born on April 10, 1985, in Mogadishu, Somalia. His first name translates to cistern in the Somali language, symbolizing life. When he was around six or seven years old, the Somali Civil War began, prompting his family to relocate to Yemen to join his father, who worked as a teacher.
In 1999, the family moved to the United States and settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which has a significant Somali population. Barkhad attended Roosevelt High School, graduating in 2003. He later pursued higher education at Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Work before acting
Before finding success in the film industry, Barkhad worked several jobs in Minneapolis. He spent time selling mobile phones at a shop owned by his brother located in a local mall. Also, he gained experience working as a limousine driver for a relative's company and also worked as a DJ.
These roles provided him with a living before his big break in Hollywood. He maintained this career path even after being cast in his first major production, returning to the mobile phone shop after filming wrapped.
Breakthrough in Captain Phillips
Barkhad made his professional acting debut in the 2013 biographical drama Captain Phillips, directed by Paul Greengrass. He was cast as the pirate leader Abduwali Muse after a global search for the film's lead roles. He was selected from over 700 people during a 2011 casting call held in Minneapolis.
Playing opposite Tom Hanks, he received critical acclaim for his first performance. This role earned him a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. He also received nominations from the Academy Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, and the Screen Actors Guild for his work in the movie.
Career in film and television
Following his initial success, Barkhad appeared in various projects including the 2015 thriller Eye in the Sky and the 2017 film Blade Runner 2049. He also acted in The Pirates of Somalia, Good Time, and Tyson's Run. His directorial work includes the Somali film Ciyaalka Xaafada, along with several music videos.
On television, he was a regular cast member in the second season of the Hulu horror series Castle Rock in 2019. He also held a recurring role in the 2023 Showtime satirical comedy The Curse. Throughout his career, he has appeared in other series like Hawaii Five-0, Little America, and Agent Game.
Personal life and advocacy
Barkhad has lived in various locations, including Los Angeles, California, and the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood in Minneapolis. A visible bump on his forehead is the result of a car accident he experienced before his audition for Captain Phillips.
In addition to his creative work, he has been involved in charitable efforts. In 2013, he was appointed as an Ambassador for Adeso, an organization established by Somali-American environmentalist Fatima Jibrell.
Birthday and age
Barkhad Abdi was born on April 10, 1985, which makes Barkhad 41 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Barkhad shares the date with 69 other famous people.
Explore more
