Haithem Badrani
Haithem Badrani | |
|---|---|
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| Nationality | Iraqi/American |
| Other names |
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| Citizenship | United States |
| Alma mater |
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| Occupation |
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| Organization | Observation Production (Producer) |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Parents |
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| Website | www |
Haithem Badrani is an Iraqi-American actor, producer, and screenwriter.[1] He has appeared in numerous movies and television series, such as ‘The Bridge,’ ‘From Scratch,’ ‘Breaking Tradition,’ ‘Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story,’ ‘SEAL Team’ (T.V. Series.), ‘Boomers’ (T.V. Series.), and ‘Diary of a Spy.’ Badrani played Iraqi Father in Ang Lee’s Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk (2016).[2]
Early life and education
Badrani was born and raised in Basra, Iraq. At age 5, he turned to American Westerns and television series, finding inspiration in actors like John Wayne and Lee Majors from The Six Million Dollar Man.
After taking part in the 1991 Iraqi uprising, Badrani fled Iraq and sought protection from U.S. forces. He spent nearly four years in a refugee camp in Saudi Arabia before immigrating to the United States in August 1994.
Following his immigration to the United States, he obtained U.S. citizenship. He pursued his acting career and attended various studios in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2010, he relocated to Los Angeles, enrolling in the Stella Adler Acting School in Hollywood. As a fluent Arabic speaker, he underwent accent reduction and dialect training at Los Angeles City College.
Career
Badrani started his acting career in Nashville, debuting in 2003 as a waiter in "High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story." His breakthrough came in 2005 when he portrayed “Prince Tariq” in Dreamworks Pictures' "Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story."[3][4]
Subsequently, Badrani continued establishing his presence in the industry, actively participating in various local independent films and accumulating a portfolio of over 30 productions.
Among his noteworthy contributions are roles in productions such as ‘The Bridge,’ ‘From Scratch,’ ‘Breaking Tradition,’ ‘SEAL Team’ (T.V. Series.), ‘Boomers’ (T.V. Series.), and ‘Diary of a Spy.’ Notably, Badrani played Iraqi Father in Ang Lee’s Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk (2016).[5]
Badrani writes historical dramas, crime thrillers, and espionage stories, often from an Iraqi or Iraqi-American perspective. His screenplays explore how war and displacement shape the lives people build afterward and the choices they make to protect others.
Badrani is a real estate sales associate at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties in Beverly Hills.[6]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story | Waiter |
| 2005 | Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story | Prince Tariq |
| 2006 | Wag On | Habib |
| 2006 | Samaritan | Taxi Driver |
| 2007 | The Captive | Interrogator |
| 2009 | Prologue | Amadeo |
| 2011 | Biladi | Father |
| 2012 | No Bullet Soldier | Mazen |
| 2013 | Painkiller | Prisoner |
| 2013 | Alien Rising | Yemen Leader |
| 2014 | Hog’s Tooth | Abdullah |
| 2014 | The Initiation | Akbar |
| 2014 | Daily Bread | Mousa |
| 2014 | The Winter Room | Wheeler |
| 2015 | Desert Bloom | Nadeem |
| 2015 | Jane’s Baby | Store Owner |
| 2016 | Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk | Iraqi Father |
| 2016 | Madre | Rokmud |
| 2017 | Life of Homer | Cameraman |
| 2018 | Stones | Mr. Wafik |
| 2018 | The Day That | Mosque-Goer |
| 2019 | Shako Mako | Butcher |
| 2020 | False Colors | General Savas Demir |
| 2020 | SEAL Team | ANP Captain |
| 2022 | Diary of a Spy | Mousa |
| 2022 | From Scratch | Amir |
| 2023 | The Bridge | Ahmed Ahmadi |
| 2024 | Breaking Tradition | Mr. Abdul Khan (actor and producer) |
| 2024 | Target Jeremy | Bedouin, Sniper |
Screenwriter
- Barbed Fences
- The Cockatiels Man
- Canada
In the media
References
- ↑ "Exclusive Rising Star: Get To Know Actor & Screenwriter Pro Haithem Antonio Badrani!". Celebz Treasure: Daily News from the Vine. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ↑ "Hollywood News: Actor and Screenwriter Haithem Antonio Badrani Confirms New Film Projects!". starztreasure.com. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ↑ "Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
- ↑ "Haithem Badrani". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ↑ "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk". Sony Pictures. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
- ↑ "Antonio Badrani – Official Website". Antonio Badrani. Retrieved 8 November 2026.