Once considered peripheral to the global cinematic conversation, the Middle East is now producing a wave of actors, filmmakers, and storytellers who are captivating international audiences. From red carpets at Cannes to starring roles in Netflix hits, Middle Eastern stars are redefining representation—and owning it! Let’s look at some of the Middle Eastern actors who have gained fame in global cinema!
Gal Gadot (Israeli)
The actress known for her roles in Wonder Woman, Justice League, Red Notice, and Snow White. A major global star with roots in Israel and a former Miss Israel winner.
Shohreh Aghdashloo (Iranian American)
Shohreh known for her roles in House of Sand and Fog, The Expanse, 24 – a true trailblazer as she’s the first Iranian actress to be nominated for an Oscar and has built a prolific career in Hollywood. Her role in Hollywood debut, House of Sand and Fog, 2003 – truly introduced her to international audiences and earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Yasmine Al Massri (Lebanon)
Known for roles in Quantico (ABC), Crossbones – Yasmine gained global attention for playing twin FBI agents and has used her platform to advocate for Middle Eastern voices.
Yasmine Al Massri made her Hollywood debut in the 2010 film Miral, directed by Julian Schnabel. In this drama, she portrayed the character, Nadia. The film explores the Israeli Palestinian conflict through the eyes of a young woman named Miral.
Rami Malek (Egyptian American)
Ahmed Malek (Egypt)
Ahmed Malek has worked in films like The Swimmers (Netflix), The Furnace, and Clash. He is a rising star representing Egyptian talent in both Arab and international productions.
The Egyptian actor made his first appearance in an English-language film with the 2020 Australian drama The Furnace as Hanif. Malek’s performance was critically acclaimed and earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the Australian Academy of Cinema & Television Arts (AACTA) Awards.
Jay Abdo (Syria)
Jay Abdo is a Syrian actor known for his roles in Queen of the Desert and A Hologram for the King with Tom Hanks. The actor was fascinated about acting since a very young age, he had to leave Syria during the war and rebuilt his acting career in Hollywood.
Nadine Labaki (Lebanon)
Nadine Labaki is a Lebanese actor and director, known for her films like Capernaum, and Where Do We Go Now? In which she played the character Amale. She also acts in many of her films, which have received international acclaim.
Ali Suliman (Palestine)
The Palestinian actor known for his roles in Body of Lies, Paradise Now, and Jack Ryan has carved a strong space for Palestinian narratives in global cinema.
In his debut film, Body of Lies, he plays the role of Hassan alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. This marked a significant entry for Suliman into Hollywood, as he had already been well known in Arab cinema but this movie helped him make his presence felt on the global stage.
Mila Al Zahrani (Saudi Arabia)
Mila Al Zahrani, the Saudi Arabian actor has worked in films like The Perfect Candidate which was premiered in Venice Film Festival – is a rising name from Saudi Arabia with strong festival presence.
The actress made her Hollywood debut in the film Kandahar, 2023. Mila plays a significant role alongside other actors, marking her first appearance in a major Hollywood production. This film is notable for showcasing Middle Eastern talent and perspectives in global cinema.
Amir El-Masry (Egyptian-British)
The Egyptian British actor, Amir El-Masry is known for his roles in Limbo which was a BAFTA-nominated, The One, and The Crown. He’s one of the brightest new names to watch, representing Egyptian heritage in nuanced roles.
Amir El-Masry’s first Hollywood film appearance was in Jon Stewart’s Rosewater, 2014, where he portrayed Alireza. This film marked his transition from Egyptian cinema to international recognition.
From the silver screens of Cairo to the red carpets of Hollywood, Middle Eastern actors are no longer just background players—they’re taking center stage, breaking barriers, and bringing fresh perspectives to global cinema!
(Contributed by Wajeeha Syed)