Quotes by Barkhad Abdi

About Barkhad Abdi:

Barkhad Abdi is a Somali American actor and director. He made his debut in the 2013 film Captain Phillips, for which he received various film award nominations, including Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes and BAFTA, the latter of which he went on to win.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

When I was leaving Yemen to come to America, things were tough. My dad had just been laid off, and it was a challenge. When I lived in Yemen, I thought America was a perfect place. Everything was bigger and better. I dreamed big. The American dream, ...

Barkhad Abdi

When you work with a great director, you realise you are far from being a director.

Barkhad Abdi

I like 'The Usual Suspects'. Great film. I also like 'Scarface', films like that. Lots of gangster films. I really like watching all kinds of films, dramas, romance. I'll watch comedies. I like Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Denzel Washington, Chris Rock...

Barkhad Abdi

I used to play football all the time. In the U.S., people don't play football, so I had to learn basketball. Looking back, that's what I like about my life - doing new things, having a new perspective.

Barkhad Abdi

I was never interested in becoming an actor. I was directing videos. I was never into acting. I was into shooting music videos. I've only ever been behind the camera. Never in front of it.

Barkhad Abdi

I was lucky enough to have parents that took me out from country to country and go to school and learn how to be a better person.

Barkhad Abdi

It is weird. A lot of people try to ask me political questions. I'm not a politician.

Barkhad Abdi

I would DJ pool parties in Minneapolis, but I never swam there!

Barkhad Abdi

I don't see myself only as a Somali character. I think of myself as an actor, and if the job fits me and I like the story, I will go for it.

Barkhad Abdi

I just want to keep acting and better my craft and see how far it goes.

Barkhad Abdi

What I believe will make my acting career successful going forward is hard work. I like to challenge myself. Then it's the people I meet and choosing the projects I want to work on correctly. There's a lot of characters I can play.

Barkhad Abdi

I left Somalia when I was seven years old, but I witnessed a whole year in a war.

Barkhad Abdi

Author Bio

  • NameBarkhad Abdi
  • DescriptionSomali-American actor-director
  • BornApril 10, 1985
  • CountrySomalia; United States Of America
  • ProfessionActor; Film Director; Film Producer