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] {{short description|British stand-up comedian}}
{{use British English|date=November 2016}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{Infobox comedian
| name = Omid Djalili
| native_name = امید جلیلی
| native_name_lang = fa
| image = Omid Djalili 2010 Tribeca TFF Shankbone.jpg
| caption = Djalili at the 2010 ]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1965|09|30}}
| birth_place = ], ], England
| years_active = 1991–present
| alma_mater = ]
| education =
| spouse = {{marriage|Annabel Knight|1992}}
| children = 3
| website =
| medium = {{hlist|Film|stand-up|television}}
| genre =
| subject = {{hlist|Religion|race|culture|stereotypes|human interaction}}
}}
'''Omid Djalili''' ({{langx|fa|امید جلیلی}}; born 30 September 1965) is an English comedian, actor, and writer.


==Early life and education==
'''Omid Djalili''' (born ], ]) is a ] ], born to ]ian parents. He attended the ] in ], studying ] and ] and is an active member of the ]. He prides himself as being the only Iranian comedian, which, he says, is "three more than ]".
Djalili was born on 30 September 1965 in ] in ], to ]ian ] parents Ahmad and Parvaneh Djalili. His parents immigrated from ] to London in 1958. He has a brother and sister. His mother was a ] who at one point assisted Iranian singer ]. His father was a liaison officer at the Iranian embassy in which he would assist with medical assistance.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/dec/05/omid-djalili-family-values | title=My family values: Omid Djalili &#124; Omid Djalili &#124; the Guardian }}</ref> He was also a photographer whose pictures ended up in the newspaper '']''.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jav3AwAAQBAJ&dq=omid+djalili+birthday&pg=PT130 | title=HOPEFUL – an autobiography | isbn=978-1-4722-1863-6 | last1=Djalili | first1=Omid | date=28 August 2014 | publisher=Headline }}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/omid-djalili-everybodys-fool-466169.html |title=Omid Djalili: Everybody's fool |newspaper=] |date=12 February 2006 |access-date=12 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210001348/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/omid-djalili-everybodys-fool-466169.html |archive-date=10 February 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He attended ] where he failed ] exams a record six times<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=ITV Kate Garraway's Life Stories |url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep3weekweek-33-2023-sat-12-aug-fri-18-aug/kate-garraways-life-stories |access-date=12 August 2023 |website=itv.com}}</ref> and faked his results to gain entry to ] in ], ], studying ] and ] having been turned down by 16 drama schools.<ref>{{cite interview |last=Djalili |first=Omid |subject-link=Sean Lock |interviewer=Sean Lock |title=] |date=20 August 2007}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Djalili cited ], ], ], ], ] and ] as influences.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://payvand.com/news/07/mar/1171.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313191008/http://payvand.com/news/07/mar/1171.html | archive-date=13 March 2007 | title=In the Arena with Omid Djalili }}</ref>


== Overview == ==Comedy career==
Starting his stand-up comedy career with amazing success at the Edinburgh Festival in 1995, he followed up his comedic performances with even more successful, sell-out shows, starting with "Short, Fat Kebab Shop Owner's Son" in 1995, following up with "The Arab and the Jew" in 1996, "Omid Djalili is Ethnic" in 1997, "Warm to My Winning Smile" in 2000, "Behind Enemy Lines" in 2002, and his most-recent "No Agenda" in October of this year. The first significant success of his stand-up comedy career was at the ] in 1995 with "Short, Fat Kebab Shop Owner's Son", followed by "The Arab and the Jew" with ] comedian ] in 1996.<ref>{{cite web |title=Comedian Ivor Dembina |url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/comics/i/462/ivor_dembina |work=Chortle Comedy Website |access-date=31 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Scottish Theatre Archive - Event Details |url=http://special.lib.gla.ac.uk/sta/search/detaile.cfm?EID=20456 |work=] Scottish Theatre Archive |date=23 August 1990 |access-date=12 November 2018}}</ref>


Djalili has performed in numerous countries, including ], ], ], ], ], and the ], where he had his own ] Special.<ref>{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=2011-10-24|title=NBC Developing Comedy Series Version Of British Film 'The Infidel' Starring Omid Djalili|url=https://deadline.com/2011/10/nbc-developing-comedy-series-version-of-british-film-the-infidel-starring-omid-djalili-186031/|access-date=2020-09-19|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref>
His stand-up routines and jokes focus primarily on multiculturalism and ethnic particularities. His hyperactive and energetic manner of imitating accents, doing bellydances, and singing songs earned him a significant fanbase all over the globe.


Djalili took part in a show for ] after the ] and also in 2005 he appeared on the British TV show '']'' as a celebrity driver.<ref>{{cite web|title=extract on Youtube - Comic Aid 2005 Compilation| website=] | date=27 August 2008 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhraCFpsAos |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/nhraCFpsAos |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Top Gear: Series 6, Episode 4 – TopGearbox|date=7 August 2005 |url=https://www.topgearbox.com/cars/entertainment/top-gear/episode-guides/series-6/series-6-episode-4/|access-date=2020-09-19|language=en-US}}</ref> The same year he broke Edinburgh Festival box office records with over 16,500 ticket sales.<ref>{{cite web|title=Omid Djalili: Live 2008 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide|url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/shows/edinburgh_fringe_2008/o/16127/omid_djalili:_live_2008|access-date=2020-09-19|website=www.chortle.co.uk|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Omid Djalili - Hire & Book For Parties & Events - Classique|url=https://www.classiquepromotions.co.uk/act/omid-djalili|access-date=2020-09-19|website=www.classiquepromotions.co.uk}}</ref>
He has performed in over 12 countries worldwide, including Australia, Denmark, Canada, Germany, and the United States.


In 2006, ] chose him to be the face of their Saturday night film premières, and he also announced a new tour of the UK called 'No Agenda', from January 2007 until March 2007, covering 23 different dates. The ''No Agenda'' tour DVD was released in late 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=Welcome to the Omid Djalili Website...|url=http://www.omidnoagenda.com/|access-date=2020-09-19|website=www.omidnoagenda.com|language=en}}</ref>
Omid Djalili has also appeared in a number of motion pictures, most notably '']'', '']'', and '']''. He is probably best-known to American audiences as Nasim from the ] ] '']'', starring alongside actress ].


On 26 October 2007, he guest-presented the BBC political quiz show '']''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0084lxj |title=Have I Got News for You |publisher=] |access-date=25 October 2013 |work=] |date=26 October 2007}}</ref> '']'' started on ] on 17 November 2007. The series was a mix of sketches and stand-up material. A second series was recorded in late 2008 and broadcast on BBC 1 on 20 April 2009. He performed on ''We Are Most Amused'' on ] to mark ]'s 60th birthday in 2008 and on ''We Are Most Amused and Amazed'' to mark his 70th birthday in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2018/11/14/royal-family-pictures-week/prince-charles-meets-cast-members-omid-djalili-puppets-sooty0/|title=Royal family pictures of the week|work=The Telegraph|date=14 November 2018|accessdate=19 March 2021}}</ref>
In ], he was listed in ] as one of the ] acts in British comedy.


In 2023, Djalili was due to appear in the ''Omid Djalili and Friends'' show in ] at the Festival Drayton Centre. Djalili did not appear in the tour due to threats against Djalili relating to the ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-19 |title=Omid Djalili show cancelled over 'personal threats over Israel situation' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-67162627 |access-date=2023-10-19}}</ref>
His latest movie, ''Alien Autopsy'', is currently in production and is slated for release in the UK in the first quarter of 2006.


== Filmography == ==Acting career==
Djalili has appeared in a number of films, most notably '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'',<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.list.co.uk/article/104039-omid-djalili-brings-schmuck-for-a-night-to-wiltons-music-hall-london/ |title=Omid Djalili brings 'Schmuck For A Night' to Wilton's Music Hall, London |first=Becki |last=Crossley |date=20 September 2018 |access-date=17 January 2019 |journal=]}}</ref> '']'' and provides his voice in '']''.
''Cinema:''<br/>
] (1999)<br/>
Notting Hill (1999) (Uncredited)<br/>
Mad Cows (1999)<br/>
] (1999)<br/>
] (2000)<br/>
] (2001)<br/>
Mean Machine (2001)<br/>
Anita and Me (2002)<br/>
Cross My Heart (2003)<br/>
Deadlines (2004)<br/>
The Calcium Kid (2004)<br/>
] (2004)<br/>
] (2004)<br/>
Casanova (2005)<br/>
Over the Hedge (2006) ''filming'' <br/>
<br/>
''Television:''<br/>
Barking (1998)<br/>
The Lake of Darkness (1999)<br/>
Cleopatra (1999)<br/>
Coming Soon (1999)<br/>
Small Potatoes (1999)<br/>
] (2000)<br/>
Jason and the Argonauts (2000)<br/>
Lenny Henry in Pieces (2000)<br/>
Dinotopia: The Series (2002)<br/>
Between Iraq and a Hard Place (2003)<br/>
] (2003)<br/>
Chopra Town (2005)<br/>
My Family and Other Animals (2005)<br/>


He has observed that he usually appears as a generic Middle Eastern background character in many of these films, often commenting that he appears in the ] as the "Second Azerbaijani oil pipe attendant".<ref>{{cite web|title=Djalili cuts out Iran jokes. - Free Online Library|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Djalili+cuts+out+Iran+jokes-a0384338515|access-date=2020-09-19|website=www.thefreelibrary.com}}</ref> He appeared as Nasim in 22 episodes of the U.S. ] '']'', starring ], and picked up an international film award for Best Supporting Actor in '']'', starring alongside ] and ].
== Awards ==
Omid Djalili has won a vast number of awards for his comedy. These include the ], Time Out Award, and LWT Comedy Award for ''Best Stand-up Comedian'', as well as the One World Media Award for his ] documentary, ''Bloody Foreigners''.


On 12 February 2009, producer ] announced that Djalili would appear as the second ] in the new ] production of ''] '' at the ], ]. Omid took over from ], who had been contracted until 18 July 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/feb/11/omid-djalili-fagin-oliver |title=Omid Djalili pockets Fagin role in Oliver! |newspaper=] |date=11 February 2009 |access-date=12 November 2018 |first=Nosheen |last=Iqbal |publisher=]}}</ref>
Subsequently, he has also been nominated for another equally varied array of awards, such as the Perrier Award for ''Best Comedian'', the Gemini Award for ''Best Comedy Performance of 2003'', the South Bank Award for ''Best Comedy of 2003'', the Royal Television Society Award for ''Best Stand-up'', and the European TV Award for his ''Bloody Foreigners''.


In 2009, Djalili became the voice of Yusuf Amir in the popular gaming series '']''. He took up the role in the '']'' spin-off game. In 2010, he starred in the ]-scripted film '']''.
== External links ==


In 2017, Djalili appeared in an acclaimed performance of '']'' at the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cft.org.uk/archive/fiddler-on-the-roof |title=Fiddler on the Roof |work=] |date=2 December 2017 |access-date=3 December 2017}}</ref>


In 2023, Djalili reprised his role as the voice of Yusuf Amir in the fifth installment of the popular gaming series '']''. He reprised the role as part of the '']'' DLC, ''The Chop Shop''.
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==Other activities==
]
In 2008, he was an official festival judge for the ]. In June 2010, Djalili appeared in a ] concert<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/music/classical/tickets/philharmonia-orchestra-hovhaness-53197 |title=Philharmonia Orchestra: Hovhaness |publisher=Southbank Centre |date=2010-06-13 |access-date=2014-07-29}}</ref> given by the ] at London's ], performing the part of the narrator in 'Rubaiyat', a ] by American classical composer ] which sets the words of ] to music.

In February 2022 he shot two pilots of a ] called ''Tonight With Omid'' for the BBC, one version in ] (for ]) and another in English.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guide |first=British Comedy |date=2022-02-03 |title=Omid Djalili pilots BBC chat show in English and Farsi |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/news/6702/omid-djalili-chat-show/ |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=British Comedy Guide |language=en}}</ref>

In August 2023, Djalili appeared on ] '']'' series 22, episode 3.<ref name=":0" />

==Awards==
Djalili has won awards for his comedy. These include the EMMA Award, '']'' Award, and ] Comedy Award for Best Stand-up Comedian, Spirit of the Fringe Award as well as the One World Media Award for his ] documentary, ''Bloody Foreigners''.

He has also been nominated for awards, such as the ] for Best Comedian, the Gemini Award for Best Comedy Performance of 2003, the South Bank Award for Best Comedy of 2003, the ] Award for Best Stand-up, and the European TV Award for his ''Bloody Foreigners''.

==Personal life==
In 1992, Djalili married actress Annabel Knight, with whom he has three children. He is a practising ].<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto">{{cite news |url=http://payvand.com/news/07/mar/1171.html |title=In The Arena With Omid Djalili |first=Darius |last=Kadivar |work=]'s Iran News |date=3 December 2007 |access-date=12 November 2018}}</ref>

Djalili was present for the Iran Solidarity Rally that took place in ] in January 2023 in support of ] in the wake of ].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/omid-djalili-iran-london-trafalgar-square-british-b2258241.html |first=Luke |last=O'Reilly |title=Iran protesters told they are 'bringing down the patriarchy' |date=Jan 8, 2023}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===Film===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class = "unsortable" | Notes
|-
|rowspan=4|1999
| '']''
| Warden Gad Hassan
|
|-
| '']''
| Cashier at Coffee Shop
|
|-
| ''Mad Cows''
| George
|
|-
| '']''
| Foreman
|
|-
| 2000
| '']''
| Slave Trader
|
|-
|rowspan=2|2001
| '']''
| Beirut: Doumet
|
|-
| '']''
| Raj
|
|-
| 2002
| '']''
| Uncle Amman
|
|-
| 2003
| ''Cross My Heart''
| Riz
|
|-
|rowspan=4|2004
| '']''
| Abdul Sayyaf
|
|-
| '']''
| Herbie Bush
|
|-
| '']''
| Pablo Picasso
|
|-
| '']''
| Kaji
|
|-
| 2005
| '']''
| Lupo
|
|-
|rowspan=2|2006
| '']''
| Melik
|
|-
| '']''
| Tiger
| Voice role
|-
|rowspan=2|2007
| '']''
| Ali
|
|-
| '']''
| Askay / Pusasn
|
|-
| 2008
| '']''
| Guru Satchabigknoba
|
|-
| 2009
| '']''
| "Bald Fat Fuck"
|
|-
|rowspan=4|2010
| '']''
| Mahmud Nasir
|
|-
| '']''
| Mr. Safir
|
|-
| '']''
| Bongo
| Voice role
|-
| '']''
| Saleem Malik
|
|-
| 2011
| '']''
| Jik Jickkles
|
|-
|rowspan=2|2015
| '']''
| Trumper
| Voice role
|-
| '']''
| Barry Rix
|
|-
| 2016
| '']''
| Himself
|
|-
|rowspan=2|2018
| '']''
| Greek customs officer
|
|-
| '']''
| Cavalier
|
|-
|rowspan=2|2023
| '']''
| Mohsen
|
|-
| '']''
| ]
|
|}

===Television===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class = "unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1995
| '']''
| Turkish Man
| Series 1 episode 4
|-
| 1996
| '']''
| Himself
|
|-
|rowspan=2|1998
| '']''
| Various
|
|-
| '']''
| Various Role
| 2 episodes
|-
|rowspan=4|1999
| '']''
| Mr. Kaiafas
| Episode: "The Lake of Darkness"
|-
| '']''
| Yilmaz Demirtas
|
|-
| '']''
| Storemaster
| 2 episodes
|-
| ''Coming Soon''
| Amir Hassan
| TV movie
|-
| 1999–2001
| '']''
| Hoss
| 13 episodes
|-
|rowspan=2|2000
| '']''
| Trebor
|
|-
| '']''
| Castor
| 2 episodes
|-
|rowspan=2|2001
| '']''
| Ken
|
|-
| '']''
| Chef
|
|-
| 2002
| '']''
| Ahmid
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2002–03
| '']''
| Zipeau (voice)
| 10 episodes
|-
| '']''
|
| 2 episodes
|-
| 2003
| ''Between Iraq and a Hard Place''
| Iraqi Television Host
| TV movie
|-
| 2003–04
| '']''
| Nasim Khatenjami
| 22 episodes
|-
| 2004
| '']''
| Himself
|
|-
|rowspan=3|2005
| ''Chopra Town''
| Ali Ergun
| TV movie
|-
| ''One Night Stand''
| Himself
| ]
|-
| '']''
| Spiro
| TV movie
|-
|rowspan=3|2006
| '']''
| Himself
|
|-
| '']''
| Mr. Tilak
|
|-
| '']''
| Perfectionist (voice)
| 1 episode
|-
|rowspan=4|2007
| '']''
| Guest
|
|-
| '']''
| Himself
|
|-
| '']''
| ] Celebrity player
|
|-
| '']''
| Himself
|
|-
| 2007–09
| '']''
| Himself, presenter, various roles
| 12 episodes
|-
|rowspan=2|2008
| '']''
| Guest panellist
|
|-
| '']''
| Mohamed Al Fayed (voice)
| 1 episode
|-
| 2009
| '']''
| Guest panellist
| 1 episode
|-
| 2011
| '']''
| Habib
| 7 episodes
|-
| 2012
| '']''
| Tobacconist
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2013
| '']''
| Contestant
|
|-
| '']''
| Aldobrand
| 2 episodes
|-
|rowspan=2|2014
| '']''
| Guest presenter
| 1 episode
|-
| '']''
| Guest panellist
|
|-
| 2015–16
| '']''
| Mr. Venus
| 11 episodes
|-
|rowspan=2|2016
| '']''
| Guest panellist
|
|-
| '']''
| Guest presenter
| 1 episode
|-
| 2016–18
| '']''
| Kamil
| 9 episodes
|-
| 2017
| '']''
| Horse Williams (voice)
| 1 episode<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thunderbirds.com/en/news/article/19|title = News}}</ref>
|-
| 2018
| '']''
| Contestant
| 2nd Place
|-
| 2019
| '']''
| Guy Ashton
| 2 episodes
|-
| 2019-2020
| '']''
| Dr. Lanselius
| S1&2, Episodes: "Armour" & "The Cave"
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2020
| '']''
| Sir Fantumar
| 6 episodes
|-
| '']''
| Contestant
| Series 10, Episode 5, 2020-10-10
|-
| '']''
| Guest
| Series 9, Episode 41; 22 November 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/mt8g29/sunday-brunch--s9-e41-sunday-brunch/|title=Sunday Brunch|publisher=radiotimes.com|access-date=15 December 2020}}</ref>
|-
| '']''
| Contestant
| Series 18, Episode 1, 19 December 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000qpt6|title=Celebrity Mastermind|publisher=bbc.co.uk|access-date=12 December 2020}}</ref>
|-
| ''Secrets of the Apollo''
| Guest contributor
| 28 December 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000qs3n#:~:text=A%20celebration%20of%20Britain%27s%20greatest,show%2C%20Live%20at%20the%20Apollo.|title=Secrets of the Apollo|publisher=bbc.co.uk|access-date=15 December 2020}}</ref>
|-
| 2020–21
| '']''
| Presenter
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2021
| ''Michael McIntyre's The Wheel''
| Celebrity expert
| Series 1, Episode 6; 2 January 2021<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/mz6zqh/michael-mcintyres-the-wheel--series-1-episode-6/|title=Michael McIntyre's The Wheel|publisher=bbc.co.uk|access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref>
|-
| ''James Martin’s Saturday Morning''
| Guest
| Series 4, Episode 3; 16 January 2021<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep3week3/james-martins-saturday-morning|title=James Martin's Saturday Morning|publisher=itv.com|access-date=9 January 2021}}</ref>
|-
| 2022
| ''Tonight with Omid''
| Host
| Pilot in ] and English
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2023
| '']''
| Steve
| TV series<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/6933/the-change-cast/|title=Bridget Christie comedy reveals cast|website=Comedy.co.uk|date=5 July 2022 }}</ref>
|-
| '']''
| Othello Khan
| Episode: "Book of the Dead''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://televisionstats.com/a/omid-djalili|title=Omid Djalili|website=televisionstats.com|date=21 March 2024 }}</ref>
|}

===Video games===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Title
!Role
|-
| rowspan=2|2009
| '']''
| Eddie
|-
| '']''
| rowspan=2|Yusuf Amir
|-
| 2023
| '']''
|}

==Selected theatre==
* '']'', as Fagin, Director ], Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, 2009<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thejc.com/life-and-culture/all/interview-omid-djalili-1.11583 |title=Interview: Omid Djalili |publisher=The Jewish Chronicle |date=1 October 2009 |accessdate=14 September 2023}}</ref>
* '']'', as Tevye, Director ], Chichester Festival Theatre, 2017<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/jul/19/fiddler-on-the-roof-review-omid-djalili-tevye-chichester-festival-theatre |title=Fiddler on the Roof review – Omid Djalili delivers the laughs as a terrific Tevye |work=The Guardian |date=19 July 2017 |first=Lyn |last=Gardner |accessdate=14 September 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
* ]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikiquote}}
* {{official website|http://www.omiddjalili.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|229084}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes person|omid_djalili}}
* {{Twitter}}
* {{Instagram}}
* {{Facebook}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Djalili, Omid}}
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Latest revision as of 03:58, 4 January 2025

British stand-up comedian

Omid Djalili
Djalili at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival
Native nameامید جلیلی
Born (1965-09-30) 30 September 1965 (age 59)
Chelsea, London, England
Medium
  • Film
  • stand-up
  • television
Alma materUlster University
Years active1991–present
Subject(s)
  • Religion
  • race
  • culture
  • stereotypes
  • human interaction
Spouse Annabel Knight ​(m. 1992)​
Children3

Omid Djalili (Persian: امید جلیلی; born 30 September 1965) is an English comedian, actor, and writer.

Early life and education

Djalili was born on 30 September 1965 in St Mary Abbots Hospital in Kensington, London, to Iranian Baháʼí parents Ahmad and Parvaneh Djalili. His parents immigrated from Tehran to London in 1958. He has a brother and sister. His mother was a dressmaker who at one point assisted Iranian singer Googoosh. His father was a liaison officer at the Iranian embassy in which he would assist with medical assistance. He was also a photographer whose pictures ended up in the newspaper Kayhan. He attended Holland Park School where he failed A-level exams a record six times and faked his results to gain entry to Ulster University in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, studying English and theatre studies having been turned down by 16 drama schools. Djalili cited Jack Lemmon, Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and Julia Roberts as influences.

Comedy career

The first significant success of his stand-up comedy career was at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1995 with "Short, Fat Kebab Shop Owner's Son", followed by "The Arab and the Jew" with Jewish comedian Ivor Dembina in 1996.

Djalili has performed in numerous countries, including Australia, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, Canada, and the United States, where he had his own HBO Special.

Djalili took part in a show for Comic Relief after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and also in 2005 he appeared on the British TV show Top Gear as a celebrity driver. The same year he broke Edinburgh Festival box office records with over 16,500 ticket sales.

In 2006, Sky Television chose him to be the face of their Saturday night film premières, and he also announced a new tour of the UK called 'No Agenda', from January 2007 until March 2007, covering 23 different dates. The No Agenda tour DVD was released in late 2007.

On 26 October 2007, he guest-presented the BBC political quiz show Have I Got News for You. The Omid Djalili Show started on BBC1 on 17 November 2007. The series was a mix of sketches and stand-up material. A second series was recorded in late 2008 and broadcast on BBC 1 on 20 April 2009. He performed on We Are Most Amused on ITV1 to mark Prince Charles's 60th birthday in 2008 and on We Are Most Amused and Amazed to mark his 70th birthday in 2018.

In 2023, Djalili was due to appear in the Omid Djalili and Friends show in Market Drayton at the Festival Drayton Centre. Djalili did not appear in the tour due to threats against Djalili relating to the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.

Acting career

Djalili has appeared in a number of films, most notably Gladiator, The Mummy, Mean Machine, The World Is Not Enough, Alien Autopsy, Spy Game, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, Grow Your Own, Notting Hill, Mr Nice, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Sex and the City 2 and provides his voice in Over the Hedge.

He has observed that he usually appears as a generic Middle Eastern background character in many of these films, often commenting that he appears in the James Bond film as the "Second Azerbaijani oil pipe attendant". He appeared as Nasim in 22 episodes of the U.S. sitcom Whoopi, starring Whoopi Goldberg, and picked up an international film award for Best Supporting Actor in Casanova, starring alongside Heath Ledger and Jeremy Irons.

On 12 February 2009, producer Cameron Mackintosh announced that Djalili would appear as the second Fagin in the new West End production of Oliver! at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London. Omid took over from Rowan Atkinson, who had been contracted until 18 July 2009.

In 2009, Djalili became the voice of Yusuf Amir in the popular gaming series Grand Theft Auto. He took up the role in the Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony spin-off game. In 2010, he starred in the David Baddiel-scripted film The Infidel.

In 2017, Djalili appeared in an acclaimed performance of Fiddler on the Roof at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

In 2023, Djalili reprised his role as the voice of Yusuf Amir in the fifth installment of the popular gaming series Grand Theft Auto. He reprised the role as part of the Grand Theft Auto Online DLC, The Chop Shop.

Other activities

In 2008, he was an official festival judge for the Noor Iranian Film Festival. In June 2010, Djalili appeared in a Meltdown Festival concert given by the Philharmonia Orchestra at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall, performing the part of the narrator in 'Rubaiyat', a tone poem by American classical composer Alan Hovhaness which sets the words of Omar Khayyám to music.

In February 2022 he shot two pilots of a chat show called Tonight With Omid for the BBC, one version in Persian (for BBC Persian) and another in English.

In August 2023, Djalili appeared on ITV's Kate Garraway's Life Stories series 22, episode 3.

Awards

Djalili has won awards for his comedy. These include the EMMA Award, Time Out Award, and LWT Comedy Award for Best Stand-up Comedian, Spirit of the Fringe Award as well as the One World Media Award for his Channel 4 documentary, Bloody Foreigners.

He has also been nominated for awards, such as the Perrier Award for Best Comedian, the Gemini Award for Best Comedy Performance of 2003, the South Bank Award for Best Comedy of 2003, the Royal Television Society Award for Best Stand-up, and the European TV Award for his Bloody Foreigners.

Personal life

In 1992, Djalili married actress Annabel Knight, with whom he has three children. He is a practising Baháʼí.

Djalili was present for the Iran Solidarity Rally that took place in Trafalgar Square in January 2023 in support of protests in the wake of Jina (or Mahsa) Amini's custody and death.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1999 The Mummy Warden Gad Hassan
Notting Hill Cashier at Coffee Shop
Mad Cows George
The World Is Not Enough Foreman
2000 Gladiator Slave Trader
2001 Spy Game Beirut: Doumet
Mean Machine Raj
2002 Anita and Me Uncle Amman
2003 Cross My Heart Riz
2004 Deadlines Abdul Sayyaf
The Calcium Kid Herbie Bush
Modigliani Pablo Picasso
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow Kaji
2005 Casanova Lupo
2006 Alien Autopsy Melik
Over the Hedge Tiger Voice role
2007 Grow Your Own Ali
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Askay / Pusasn
2008 The Love Guru Guru Satchabigknoba
2009 Dead Man Running "Bald Fat Fuck"
2010 The Infidel Mahmud Nasir
Sex and the City 2 Mr. Safir
Animals United Bongo Voice role
Mr. Nice Saleem Malik
2011 Big Fat Gypsy Gangster Jik Jickkles
2015 Shaun the Sheep Movie Trumper Voice role
Molly Moon and the Incredible Book of Hypnotism Barry Rix
2016 The Comedian's Guide to Survival Himself
2018 Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again Greek customs officer
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Cavalier
2023 Love Again Mohsen
Journey to Bethlehem Melchior

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Dressing for Breakfast Turkish Man Series 1 episode 4
1996 The Friday Night Armistice Himself
1998 Alexei Sayle's Merry-Go-Round Various
Barking Various Role 2 episodes
1999 The Ruth Rendell Mysteries Mr. Kaiafas Episode: "The Lake of Darkness"
The Bill Yilmaz Demirtas
Cleopatra Storemaster 2 episodes
Coming Soon Amir Hassan TV movie
1999–2001 Small Potatoes Hoss 13 episodes
2000 Black Books Trebor
Jason and the Argonauts Castor 2 episodes
2001 So What Now? Ken
Baddiel's Syndrome Chef
2002 Relic Hunter Ahmid
2002–03 Dinotopia: the Series Zipeau (voice) 10 episodes
Lenny Henry in Pieces 2 episodes
2003 Between Iraq and a Hard Place Iraqi Television Host TV movie
2003–04 Whoopi Nasim Khatenjami 22 episodes
2004 Live at the Apollo Himself
2005 Chopra Town Ali Ergun TV movie
One Night Stand Himself HBO
My Family and Other Animals Spiro TV movie
2006 Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive Himself
Jack Dee's Lead Balloon Mr. Tilak
Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law Perfectionist (voice) 1 episode
2007 TV Heaven, Telly Hell Guest
Have I Got News for You Himself
Premier League All Stars Chelsea Celebrity player
Dawn French's Boys Who Do Comedy Himself
2007–09 The Omid Djalili Show Himself, presenter, various roles 12 episodes
2008 Never Mind the Buzzcocks Guest panellist
Headcases Mohamed Al Fayed (voice) 1 episode
2009 Would I Lie To You? Guest panellist 1 episode
2011 The Paul Reiser Show Habib 7 episodes
2012 Omid Djalili's Little Cracker Tobacconist
2013 Splash! Contestant
Moonfleet Aldobrand 2 episodes
2014 The Great Sport Relief Bake Off Guest presenter 1 episode
Question Time Guest panellist
2015–16 Dickensian Mr. Venus 11 episodes
2016 Insert Name Here Guest panellist
The One Show Guest presenter 1 episode
2016–18 Stan Lee's Lucky Man Kamil 9 episodes
2017 Thunderbirds Are Go Horse Williams (voice) 1 episode
2018 All Together Now Celebrities Contestant 2nd Place
2019 Queens of Mystery Guy Ashton 2 episodes
2019-2020 His Dark Materials Dr. Lanselius S1&2, Episodes: "Armour" & "The Cave"
2020 The Letter for the King Sir Fantumar 6 episodes
The Chase: Celebrity Special Contestant Series 10, Episode 5, 2020-10-10
Sunday Brunch Guest Series 9, Episode 41; 22 November 2020
Celebrity Mastermind Contestant Series 18, Episode 1, 19 December 2020
Secrets of the Apollo Guest contributor 28 December 2020
2020–21 Winning Combination Presenter
2021 Michael McIntyre's The Wheel Celebrity expert Series 1, Episode 6; 2 January 2021
James Martin’s Saturday Morning Guest Series 4, Episode 3; 16 January 2021
2022 Tonight with Omid Host Pilot in Persian and English
2023 The Change Steve TV series
Midsomer Murders Othello Khan Episode: "Book of the Dead

Video games

Year Title Role
2009 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand Eddie
Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony Yusuf Amir
2023 Grand Theft Auto Online: The Chop Shop

Selected theatre

See also

References

  1. "My family values: Omid Djalili | Omid Djalili | the Guardian".
  2. Djalili, Omid (28 August 2014). HOPEFUL – an autobiography. Headline. ISBN 978-1-4722-1863-6.
  3. ^ "Omid Djalili: Everybody's fool". The Independent. 12 February 2006. Archived from the original on 10 February 2010. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  4. ^ "ITV Kate Garraway's Life Stories". itv.com. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  5. Djalili, Omid (20 August 2007). "TV Heaven, Telly Hell" (Interview). Interviewed by Sean Lock.
  6. "In the Arena with Omid Djalili". Archived from the original on 13 March 2007.
  7. "Comedian Ivor Dembina". Chortle Comedy Website. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  8. "Scottish Theatre Archive - Event Details". University of Glasgow Scottish Theatre Archive. 23 August 1990. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  9. Andreeva, Nellie (24 October 2011). "NBC Developing Comedy Series Version Of British Film 'The Infidel' Starring Omid Djalili". Deadline. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  10. "extract on Youtube - Comic Aid 2005 Compilation". YouTube. 27 August 2008. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021.
  11. "Top Gear: Series 6, Episode 4 – TopGearbox". 7 August 2005. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  12. "Omid Djalili: Live 2008 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". www.chortle.co.uk. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  13. "Omid Djalili - Hire & Book For Parties & Events - Classique". www.classiquepromotions.co.uk. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  14. "Welcome to the Omid Djalili Website..." www.omidnoagenda.com. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  15. "Have I Got News for You". BBC Programmes. BBC. 26 October 2007. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  16. "Royal family pictures of the week". The Telegraph. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  17. "Omid Djalili show cancelled over 'personal threats over Israel situation'". BBC News. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  18. Crossley, Becki (20 September 2018). "Omid Djalili brings 'Schmuck For A Night' to Wilton's Music Hall, London". The List. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  19. "Djalili cuts out Iran jokes. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  20. Iqbal, Nosheen (11 February 2009). "Omid Djalili pockets Fagin role in Oliver!". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  21. "Fiddler on the Roof". Chichester Festival Theatre. 2 December 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  22. "Philharmonia Orchestra: Hovhaness". Southbank Centre. 13 June 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  23. Guide, British Comedy (3 February 2022). "Omid Djalili pilots BBC chat show in English and Farsi". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  24. Kadivar, Darius (3 December 2007). "In The Arena With Omid Djalili". Payvand's Iran News. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  25. O'Reilly, Luke (8 January 2023). "Iran protesters told they are 'bringing down the patriarchy'". The Independent.
  26. "News".
  27. "Sunday Brunch". radiotimes.com. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  28. "Celebrity Mastermind". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  29. "Secrets of the Apollo". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  30. "Michael McIntyre's The Wheel". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  31. "James Martin's Saturday Morning". itv.com. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  32. "Bridget Christie comedy reveals cast". Comedy.co.uk. 5 July 2022.
  33. "Omid Djalili". televisionstats.com. 21 March 2024.
  34. "Interview: Omid Djalili". The Jewish Chronicle. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  35. Gardner, Lyn (19 July 2017). "Fiddler on the Roof review – Omid Djalili delivers the laughs as a terrific Tevye". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 September 2023.

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