Ghassan Massoud (, ; born September 20, 1958) is a Syrian actor and filmmaker. He is best known in the West for his role as Saladin in Ridley Scott's 2005 film Kingdom of Heaven.
Career Massoud is known in Syria for his appearance in many Syrian-made films, and for 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 Haitham Hakki'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.
Internationally, he is known for playing the role of Ayyubid sultan Saladin in Ridley Scott's 2005 film Kingdom of Heaven. He also played the "Sheikh" in the 2006 Turkish film Kurtlar Vadisi: Irak (Valley of the Wolves: Iraq), Ammand the Corsair in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. and Ramesses II's Grand Vizier, Paser, in Ridley Scott's 2014 Bible epic Exodus. Massoud turned down a role in the 2005 film Syriana, claiming he feared the movie would be anti-Arab. When refusing the position, Massoud also highlighted worries about the political climate of his nation and the surrounding area. After watching the finished picture, he stated he later regretted his choice.
Personal life Massoud was born in Fajlit, Duraykish District, Tartus Governorate, in Syria.
He is married and has a son and a daughter. Massoud teaches drama at both the Damascus Music and Drama School and the Higher Institute for Dramatic Arts.
Filmography + Film Year Title Role Note 1995 The Survivor Shamoon Arabic title: Al-mutabaqqī (المتبقي) 2005 Kingdom of Heaven Saladin 2006 Valley of the Wolves: Iraq Sheikh Abdurrahman Halis Karkuki Turkish title: Kurtlar Vadisi: Irak 2006 Dhilal al sammt 2007 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Captain Ammand 2007 Juba Al-Syeikh Suleiman Al-'Ābid 2008 The Promise Sahrawi ِArabic title: Al-wa'd (الوعد) 2009 The Butterfly Mevlevi Dede Turkish title: Kelebek 2014 Exodus: Gods and Kings Paser 2016 BaronSulaymani 2017 All the Money in the World Arab Sheikh 2019 Tomiris Cyrus Kazakh title: Томирис2023The CelloSaleh Latif 2025 Desert Warrior King Numan
+ Television Year Title Role Note 2001 Salah Al-deen Al-Ayyobi Qadi al-Fadil ِArabic title: Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn al-Ayyūb (صلاح الدين الأيوبي) 2002 ِArabic title: Saqr Quraish (صقر قريش) 2003 Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr ِArabic title: al-Ḥajjāj (الحجاج) 2005 As-Salih Ayyub Arabic title: al-Ẓāhir Baybars (الظاهر بيبرس) 2012 Omar Abu Bakr Arabic title: Umar (عمر) 2024 Mehmed: Fetihler Sultani Abu Ayyub al-Ansari
See also Khaled Taja Duraid Lahham
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