Bashar Rahal
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| Bashar Rahal | |
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| Birth name | Bashar Mounzer Rahal |
| Born | October 20, 1974 (age 32) Dubai, UAE |
| Notable roles | Hasdrubal in Hannibal Brand Hauser: Stuff Happens |
Bashar Mounzer Rahal (born October 20, 1974) is a Bulgarian actor well known for his role in the hit TV show "It Can't Be". Most recently he can be seen alongside John Cusack, Hilary Duff and Academy Award Winners Ben Kingsley, Marisa Tomei and Joan Cusack in the movie "Brand Hauser: Stuff Happens".
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[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
Bashar Rahal was born in Dubai, UAE, the son of Lebanese father Mounzer Rahal, a leading OBGYN in UAE and Europe, and Mariana Rahal an interior designer from Bulgaria. (Bashar's religion is Eastern Orthodox Christian).His older sister, Carla Rahal, also an actress, is mostly known for her roles in the "National Theater of Bulgaria". Carla is also a pop, R&B, singer, songwriter and producer. She is best known for one of Bulgaria's most popular songs Lie to Me and I wish U.
The family moved from UAE to Bulgaria when Bashar was only six years old. He first started acting in TV sketches when he was 12. At the age of 13 he became a member of "Tears and Laughs" -professional theater group, with which he took part in more than 15 performances. He also attended numerous international film and theater festivals, including the ones in Avignon, France and Thun, Switzerland.
His first major film role was in 1989, in the controversial at that time "1952: Ivan i Aleksandra". The movie tells the story of two madly in love students in communist Bulgaria. The movie is also a winner of the 1989 "Golden Rose" Festival in Varna. This role was followed by another one, in the 1992 movie "Bad Boy".
[edit] Early career
His professional acting career began in 1993 when Bashar was accepted at the National Academy of Theater and Film Art(in the class of professor Stefan Danailov-currently the Minister of Culture in Bulgaria), where he got his Masters Degree in Performing Arts. During that time he took part in numerous TV and Film productions as well as several commercials. Shortly after graduation he was accepted as a permanent member of the "National Youth Theater".
[edit] Professional career
For the next couple of years Bashar appears in over 25 different TV comedy shows, but his popularity came with the hit TV show "It Can't Be", which was created & directed by Nellie Andreeva - currently an editor for "The Hollywood Reporter". "It Can't Be" was on air for 7 seasons and became one of the highest rated comedy shows in Bulgaria. Similar to "Saturday Night Live", "It Can't Be" was a weekly 40-minute comedy-variety show. Bashar was not only one of the creators of the show, but he was also the lead actor, writer, producer and occasionally a director.
Bashar Rahal is also dubbed as the creator of the first ever night show in Bulgaria, where he met his co-host and future wife Kalina Rahal. In 1997 only 22 years old, he became part of the Award-winning anchor team of "It Has Began" - the highest rated morning show in Bulgaria (executive producer-Mihail Mihailov-after an extensive television career he became the Press Secretary for the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Ivan Kostov).The same year Bashar Rahal also appeared in two Italian productions, the 1997 TV Movie "In Fondo Al Cuore" and in the mini series- "Racket"alongside Italian actor and director Michele Placido .In 1999 he was cast by Egon Günther (acclaimed German director and student of legendary Bertolt Brecht) in the movie "Else - Geschichte einer leidenschaftlichen Frau".
[edit] New Beginning
In 1999 he decided to follow his childhood dream, and moved to California to pursue his acting career. Kalina and Bashar settled in beautiful San Diego, where the couple lived for the next 6 years. During that period Rahal appeared in several US feature films, including the 1999 movie "Bridge of Dragons", where he plays alongside Dolph Lundgren. In 2001 he starred as Dmitri Minkov in "Operation Delta Force 4: Deep Fault" directed by Mark Roper. "City of Fear" is Rahals next feature, where he plays opposite Gary Daniels.
In 2006 the family relocates their home to T0he Entertainment Capital of the World - Los Angeles. Bashar didn't waste any time and shortly after relocating he took part in few major film and TV productions. Some of the projects include a guest role in the critically acclaimed Emmy Award-winning FOX TV series "Arrested Development", created by Mitchell Hurwitz and two-time Academy Award-winning American actor, film director, and producer Ron Howard.
Bashar attracted broader public attention with a supporting role in the 2006 BBC Drama/Documentary "Hannibal", where he played Hasdrubal, the brother of Hannibal, played by Alexander Siddig ("24", "Syriana" and "Kingdom of Heaven").
This year Bashar Rahal can be seen on the big screen in the movie "Brand Hauser: Stuff Happens", directed by Joshua Seftel. Among the star cast are three Academy Award winners - Ben Kingsley, Marisa Tomei and Joan Cusack. The lead role is played by John Cusack, who is also a writer and producer of the movie. The rest of the cast includes Ben Cross and Hilary Duff.
[edit] Personal Life
In 1997, on the set of "Late Night Show", Bashar met his co-host and future wife Kalina. After arriving in San Diego, in 1999, Kalina started working as a news producer for "KUSI" TV.
In 2002 the couple got married in La Jolla, California.
After moving from San Diego to Los Angeles in 2006, Kalina became a producer for "KTLA Morning Show" -one of the the highest rated morning shows in the Country. Through the years, "KTLA"'s news team has been honored for its news coverage, winning numerous Emmys, Golden Mike Awards and Associated Press Awards, among others. Owned by the Tribune Company, KTLA5 is an affiliate of the CW Television Network.
"KTLA Morning Show" airs Monday-Friday 5:00AM - 10:00AM.
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 1952: Ivan and Alexandra | ||
| 1992 | Bad Boy | ||
| 1996 | Reel Mix | ||
| 1996 | The Incredible Adventures of Sinbad the Sailor | Voice | |
| 1997 | In fondo al cuore | ||
| 1997 | Racket | ||
| 1998 | Un camion pour deux | ||
| 1998 | After the End of the World | ||
| 1999 | Dunav most | ||
| 1999 | U.S. Seals | Hidalgo | |
| 1999 | Else | ||
| 1999 | Bridge of Dragons | Robert | |
| 1999 | Dan Koloff: The King of Catch | ||
| 2000 | Clinic on the Third Floor | Gipsy | |
| 2001 | Disaster | Gamer | |
| 2001 | Operation Delta Force 4: Deep Fault | Dmitri Minkov | |
| 2001 | City of Fear | Phillips | |
| 2002 | Patriotas, Los | ||
| 2002 | Shark Attack 3: Megalodon | Luis Ruiz | |
| 2002 | Nowhere to Hide | ||
| 2003 | Death Train | Lopez | |
| 2004 | Target of Opportunity | Ivan | |
| 2006 | Arrested Development | ||
| 2006 | Hannibal | Hasdrubal | |
| 2006 | Basilisk: The Serpent King | ||
| 2006 | The Untitled Onion Movie | ||
| 2007 | Dark Streets | ||
| 2007 | Brand Hauser: Stuff Happens |
[edit] External Links
- Bashar Rahal at the Internet Movie Database
- Bashar Rahal on ManPaper.com
