Philip Shahbaz (born July 1, 1974) is an American actor who is known as the voice of Altaïr Ibn-LaʼAhad in the Ubisoft video game Assassin's Creed, for his portrayal of Hollywood legend Peter Bogdanovich in Hulu's Welcome to Chippendales, and for his recurring role as Rabbi Akiva in The Chosen, a television drama about the life of Jesus Christ and those who knew him.
Early life and education Shahbaz was born in Chicago, Illinois. His father is Assyrian, raised both in Iran and Iraq. His mother is Lebanese. They met in Beirut, Lebanon before emigrating to the United States in 1970. His family moved from Chicago to Turlock, California in 1982.
Shahbaz attended college at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. After graduating in 1996 with degrees in both Theatre and Communications, he relocated to the Los Angeles area.
Acting career Shahbaz began his acting career in 2005 with a guest appearance on the FX series Over There. Shortly after, he was cast in several principal roles, including shows such as The Unit on CBS, Showtime's Sleeper Cell, NBC's E-Ring, and Showtime's Californication.
In 2007, Shahbaz was cast as the assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad in the Ubisoft video game Assassin's Creed. Since then, Shahbaz has voiced numerous commercials and several Netflix series.
Shahbaz has also made guest appearances on shows such as 24, Grey's Anatomy, Seal Team, NCIS, Bosch: Legacy, and as Hollywood Legend, Peter Bogdanovich in the Hulu series Welcome to Chippendales.
In 2022, Shahbaz was cast in the historical drama television series The Chosen. His recurring character, Rabbi Akiva, is a Pharisee living in Capernaum and a nemesis of Jesus, who is portrayed by Jonathan Roumie.
Filmography
Television Year Title Role2005Over ThereIraqi Soldier #22006E-RingPalace GuardThe UnitDasaniSleeper CellCustom Agent2007CalifornicationMan on Cell PhoneJourneymanSuperiorChuckArt Dealer2008Caught in the ActionUndercoverMind of MenciaTerroristEleventh HourER Doctor2009The Bill Engvall ShowMaitre'd201024Wasim's OfficerGrey's AnatomyTranslatorUndercoversCommunications Officer2012TouchAbdul's Uncle #12013LaurenHusband2020ParanormalWahbi (voice)2021NCISDoctor Hamza BasharSEAL TeamYassine 'Raqqa Jacques' KassenSo Not Worth ItAksour2022Bosch: LegacyCyrusWelcome to ChippendalesPeter Bogdanovich
Video games Year Title Role 2007 Assassin's Creed Altaïr Ibn-LaʼAhad
Film Year Title Role2005Matthew 26:17Matthew2006JadedProfessor2007Unending HellMuhammed2009The TerroristSameh Bahar (voice)2010Jeffie Was HereMahmood2020DNANadir (voice)2021Squared LoveAndrzej (voice)
References
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