发布时间: 12/26/2025

Mohammad Bakri portrait: iconic Palestinian actor from Homeland and Beyond the Walls, obituary photo

Prominent Palestinian actor and director Mohammad Bakri, celebrated for his gripping roles in *Homeland* and the Oscar-nominated 1984 prison drama *Beyond the Walls*, passed away on December 24 in Israel at the age of 72. Heart issues had plagued him in recent times, as reported by CNN and various news sources. Right now, fans can still catch him commanding the screen as the King of Edom in Season 2 of Amazon Prime Video's Biblical epic *House of David*—a role that showcases his timeless intensity.

Bakri always dove deep into the raw tensions of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, weaving stories of oppression and liberation that hit hard. Picture his booming voice and magnetic presence; it kept you glued, whether he was the slippery Afghan Vice President in *Homeland*, constantly outsmarting Carrie Mathison with those unpredictable twists. Born up north in Israel, his funeral drew loved ones back to his hometown of al-Bi’neh that very day— a poignant full-circle moment.

Breakthrough in Acting and Oscar Buzz

Bakri first grabbed global attention with *Beyond the Walls*, that gut-wrenching 1984 Israeli film about prison life that snagged an Oscar nod for Best Foreign Language Film. His performance there? Pure fire—raw, unfiltered emotion that lingered long after credits rolled. It cemented him as a force in cinema, blending vulnerability with unyielding strength.

Bold Directorial Moves Amid Controversy

Stepping behind the camera, Bakri stirred souls with his 2003 doc *Jenin, Jenin*, spotlighting Palestinian refugees amid brutal clashes with the Israel Defense Forces. Israel banned it, sparking a fierce legal fight that dragged on until Israel's high court shut it down in 2022. He also helmed 2005's *Since You’ve Been Gone*, a heartfelt look at Arab author Emile Habibi's world.

Stellar TV and Film Legacy

Bakri's resume reads like a Hollywood dream: think standout turns in HBO's *The Night Of*, FX's *Tyrant*, Peacock's *Those About to Die*, and upcoming flicks like 2025's *All That’s Left of You*. Don't sleep on gems like *The Cairo Conspiracy* (2022), *The Stranger* (2021), *Wajib* (2017), or *The Flowers of Kirkuk* (2010). Mohammad Bakri death leaves a void, but his work exploring Palestinian actor obituary themes ensures his spirit endures on screen.