Mohammad Bakri, Palestinian Actor and Director, Dies at 72

Mohammad Bakri, a prominent Palestinian actor and director known for his work in “Homeland” and the Oscar-nominated 1984 drama “Beyond the Walls,” has died at the age of 72, leaving behind a rich legacy.

Bakri's family said the late icon had been suffering from heart problems. His funeral was held the same day in his town of birth Bi'ina in the Galilee.

Born on November 27, 1953, Bakri began his career on the stage before turning to cinema, where he participated in Arab and international works, and established his skills as an actor capable of portraying complex characters in sensitive political and social contexts.

Throughout a career that spanned more than four decades, he became one of the most prominent Palestinian figures in cinema and theatre through his work that focused on the Palestinian cause and political and humanitarian cinema.

He was known for consistently exploring the complexities of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and themes of oppression and liberation in his work. Bakri was a commanding presence on screen with a stentorian delivery to match.

The 1980s saw Bakri gaining prominence in the international scene with his work in "Hanna K." (1983), "Beyond the Walls" (1984), "Esther" (1986), "Death Before Dishonor" (1987), and "Rami and Julia" (1988).

In the early 1990s, Bakri continued his international presence with films like Sweet Lies (1989) and Cup Final (1991).

In 2011, he starred in “Homeland” playing the fictional Vice President of Afghanistan who kept Claire Danes’ CIA agent Carrie Mathison on her toes with his shifting alliances and motivations.

Bakri’s numerous TV and film credits also included supporting roles in HBO’s “The Night Of,” FX’s “Tyrant,” Peacock’s “Those About to Die,” 2025’s “All That’s Left of You,” 2022’s “The Cairo Conspiracy,” 2021’s “The Stranger,” 2017’s “Wajib” and 2010’s “The Flowers of Kirkuk.”

As a director, Bakri was known for the 2003 documentary “Jenin, Jenin,” which captured the stories of Palestinian refugees during a period of conflict and violent attacks by the Israel Defense Forces.

Bakri also directed the 2005 documentary film “Since You’ve Been Gone,” about the life and work of Arab author and politician Emile Habibi.

He is on screen at present in Season 2 of “House of David,” the Biblical drama from Amazon Prime Video and the Wonder Project. Bakri plays the King of Edom.

On the film side, Bakri’s final project was his performance of Older Sharif in Cherien Dabis’ "All That’s Left of You", Jordan’s 2025 submission for the Best International Feature Film Oscar. Nominations will be announced on January 22.

He is survived by his wife Leila and their six children including his actor sons Adam, Ziad and Saleh.