Ghassan Massoud

Ghassan Ridwan Massoud غسّان مسعود
Ghassan Massoud, 2003
Born	Ghassan Ridwan Massoud 20 September 1958 Fejlit, Duraykish District, Tartus, Syria

Ghassan Massoud (Arabic: غسّان مسعود‎; born September 20, 1958) is a Syrian actor and filmmaker. He is known in the West for playing the role of Muslim ruler Saladin in Ridley Scott's 2005 film Kingdom of Heaven.

Massoud also played the "Sheikh" in the Turkish film Kurtlar Vadisi: Irak (Valley of the Wolves: Iraq), Ammand the Corsair in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End^[1] and Ramesses II's Grand Vizier in Ridley Scott's 2014 Bible epic, Exodus.^[2] Massoud turned down a role in the 2005 film Syriana, claiming he feared the movie would be anti-Arab.^[1] Massoud also cited concerns regarding the political situation in his country and the wider region in declining the role. He later said he regretted his decision after seeing the completed film.^[3] Massoud is known in Syria for his appearance in many Syrian-made films, and writing and directing the theatre play Diplomasiyyoun, and was part of the Syrian Ministry of Culture’s National Theater’s 2002 season. He has appeared in the Syrian television miniseries The Chant of Rain, and in Haytham Hakky's well known work Memories of the Forthcoming Age, and on the Syrian stage was an actor in August Strindberg's Miss Julie. Most recently, he starred as the companion of Muhammad, Abu Bakr in MBC's series Omar.

Massoud was born in a small village called Fejlit in Durakish, Tartus, Syria. He is married with a son and a daughter. Massoud teaches Drama at both the Damascus Music and Drama School and Higher Institute for Dramatic Arts.

References

1. "Ghassan Massoud in Pirates of The Caribbean : At World's End". WALEG. Retrieved 2007-05-24.
2. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1528100/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_1
3. "Modern Syria Through Saladin's Eyes". Robert Fisk. Archived from the original on 2007-10-28. Retrieved 2007-11-13.

External links

• Ghassan Massoud at the Internet Movie Database