Lewis Alsamari
Lewis Alsamari (born 1976) is an Iraqi actor based in the United Kingdom.
Lewis Alsamari | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1976 (age 46–47) |
| Nationality | Iraqi British |
Career
Alsamari has appeared in episodes of television series such as Spooks and Crossroads. In 2006 he starred in the Universal Pictures film United 93 as the terrorist Saeed al-Ghamdi.
Alsamari was reported to have been denied a visa by American immigration authorities when he applied to visit New York City to attend the premiere of United 93. The reason reportedly given was that he had once been a conscripted member of the Iraqi Army – although this was also the grounds for his refugee status after his desertion in 1993.[1] Other sources say that he applied late for his visa and that it was not denied.[2]
Alsamari was featured in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe production of "What I Heard About Iraq", based on the Eliot Weinberger article of the same name that originally appeared in the London Review of Books in 2005.[3]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | United 93 | Saeed Al Ghamdi |
Bibliography
- Alsamari, Lewis (July 2007). Out of Iraq. United Kingdom: Bantam Press. ISBN 978-0593058237. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
References
- 9/11 film actor refused visa for US premiere 21 April 2006 The Times
- America bars Iraqi immigrant who played hijacker in September 11 film Archived 9 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine. It was later claimed by Alsamari in his book, "Out Of Iraq" that he was denied entry as he had served a two year suspended sentence in the United Kingdom. 22 April 2006 The Independent On Sunday
- Samarrai's Website Archived 13 June 2006 at the Wayback Machine