What Is Barkhad Abdi Net Worth’ Net Worth?
As of recent estimates, Barkhad Abdi’s net worth is approximately $100,000. This figure reflects his earnings from various acting roles, primarily his debut in “Captain Phillips,” and subsequent projects in film and television.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Barkhad Abdi was born on April 10, 1985, in Mogadishu, Somalia. When he was around six or seven years old, his family relocated to Yemen due to the Somali Civil War. In 1999, at the age of 14, Abdi and his family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where a large Somali community resided. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 2003 and attended Minnesota State University Moorhead. Prior to his acting career, Abdi held various jobs. He worked at his brother’s cell phone store in a Minneapolis mall, drove a limousine for a relative’s company, and worked as a DJ.
Breakthrough Role in Captain Phillips
In 2011, Barkhad Abdi attended a casting call in Minneapolis for the film “Captain Phillips.” He and three other actors were chosen from over 700 participants to portray Somali pirates. For his role as Abduwali Muse, the lead pirate, Abdi was paid $65,000. Despite the film’s $55 million budget, Abdi’s compensation was relatively modest, reflecting his status as a newcomer to the film industry. However, his performance garnered widespread recognition, earning him a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also received nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actor. After filming “Captain Phillips,” Abdi returned to working at his brother’s cell phone store. During the movie’s publicity campaign, Sony Pictures provided him with accommodations at the Beverly Hilton hotel, clothing, and a car, but only for official events.
Subsequent Roles and Career Development
Following his breakthrough, Barkhad Abdi continued to pursue acting roles in various films and television series. In 2015, he appeared in an episode of the series “Hawaii Five-0,” playing a former warlord. That same year, he acted in the thriller “Eye in the Sky” as Kenyan undercover agent Jama Farah. Abdi also had roles in the films “Good Time” (2017), playing Dash the Park Security Guard, “The Pirates of Somalia” (2017), playing Abdi, and Denis Villeneuve’s “Blade Runner 2049” (2017), in a minor role as a scientist. In 2019, Abdi reunited with “Captain Phillips” castmate Faysal Ahmed in the second season of the Hulu horror anthology series “Castle Rock,” starring in 10 episodes. In 2022, he appeared in the films “Tyson’s Run” and “Agent Game,” and in the Apple TV+ series “Little America.” In 2023, he acted in the A24/Showtime satirical comedy-drama series “The Curse,” alongside Emma Stone, Nathan Fielder, and Benny Safdie. Abdi made his directorial debut with the Somali film “Ciyaalka Xaafada,” and has directed several music videos.
Awards and Nominations
Barkhad Abdi has received numerous awards and nominations for his work. He won the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor for “Captain Phillips” in 2014. He was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role, all for “Captain Phillips” in 2014. Other nominations include the Online Film & Television Association Award for Best Supporting Actor and Best Breakthrough Performance in 2014, and the Gold Derby Film Award for Supporting Actor and Breakthrough Performer in 2014. He won the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor and Outstanding Breakthrough Performance for “Captain Phillips” in 2014.
Personal Life and Background
Barkhad Abdi was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, on April 10, 1985. His family moved to Yemen when he was six or seven years old due to the Somali Civil War. In 1999, they relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 2003 and attended Minnesota State University Moorhead. As of 2014, Abdi resided in Los Angeles, California. In 2016, he lived in Cedar-Riverside, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall. Abdi’s journey from a limo driver and cell phone salesman to an Oscar-nominated actor is considered an inspiring story of perseverance and opportunity.
Philanthropy
In 2013, Barkhad Abdi began serving as an Ambassador for Adeso, a non-governmental organization founded by Somali environmentalist Fatima Jibrell.