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Barkhad Abdi Biography

Birth Name:Barkhad Abdi

Birth Place:Mogadishu, Somalia,

Profession Actor

Fast Facts

Was nominated for a Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor for "Captain Phillips" in 2013
Was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for "Captain Phillips" in 2013
Studied Engineering at Minnesota State University for three years
Captain Phillips was his first acting role; previously, he had only appeared behind the camera as a director of music videos
Quote: "(On how his directing experience helped him on "Captain Phillips"): "My acting was better because I knew how to move people around and tell them where to go, and that helped me․""
Quote: "When I was leaving Yemen to come to America things were tough․․․I thought America was a perfect place․ Everything was bigger and better․ I dreamed big․ The American dream, you know? You have to work hard for your dream to come true․"
Quote: "(On his character, Muse): "My parents took me out of [Somalia], but what if they didn't?․․․I wouldn't be the same person․ I see the desperation of this guy․ He must do a lot․․․to get that one chance, and once he's got [it], he can't give it up․""
Best known for his role as Muse in the 2013 film "Captain Phillips․"
Rehearsed for his call back with three friends, Faysal Ahmed, Mahat M․ Ali, and Barkhad Abdirahman, whom he had run into at the initial audition, and they were later cast as a group
Was working as a limousine chauffeur when he heard about the audition for an upcoming Tom Hanks movie in Minneapolis

Awards

2013EDA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013ACCA-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2013BSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013Capri Breakout Actor Award-: winner
2013CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013CFCA Award-Most Promising Performer: nominated
2013DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013Golden Schmoes-Breakthrough Performance of the Year: nominated
2013HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013IFJA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2013ICP Award-Best Supporting Performance: nominated
2013OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013SFFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013VVFP Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2014Hollywood Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014Hollywood Award-Breakthrough Performance of the Year: nominated
2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2014BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014Black Reel-Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male: winner
2014Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actor, Motion Picture: winner
2014Palmarés blogos de oro-Best Supporting Actor (Mejor Actor de Reparto): nominated
2014COFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014CinEuphoria-Best Supporting Actor - International Competition: nominated
2014Cinema Bloggers Award-Best Supporting Actor - International Competition: nominated
2014Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014Empire Award-Best Male Newcomer: nominated
2014GAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actor: nominated
2014Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
2014IFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014IOMA-Best Supporting Actor (Miglior attore non protagonista): nominated
2014ALFS Award-Supporting Actor of the Year: winner
2014MTV Movie Award-Best Villain: nominated
2014NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014NCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014OFTA Film Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: Male: nominated
2014OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated