
Person
Hani Al Naimi
Acting · Born 1962-08-07 · Palestine
Biography
Hani Al Naimi (birth-name Michael Anthony Desante) is an Arab American actor, writer and director of Palestinian descent. He was born in Bethlehem and spent the beginning years of his childhood in Beirut, Lebanon. At age 9 he attended Fettes College for Boys in Edinburgh, Scotland and then Hurtwood House in Surrey, England where he completed his school. His interest in acting started at an early age with school play renditions of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night Dream" and "Much Ado About Nothing." He was 12 when Andrew Lloyd Webber came to his school to cast his play "Joseph and His Technicolor Dreamcoat" for its Edinburgh premiere; Hani was selected to be in the choir and went on to be in the production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" as well. After graduating from school, Hani moved to the United States to continue his education, where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. His dedication and passion for acting and storytelling never wavered. Shortly thereafter Hani was discovered by casting director Judith Holstra when she cast him in his first movie role with Mariel Hemingway.
Known for

Melrose Place
Limo Driver

seaQuest DSV
Olden

The Agency
Aziz

Ruthless
Rich Barker

The Hurt Locker
Iraqi Translator

Cradle 2 the Grave
Egyptian Buyer

Black Warrant
Hussein Bin Farri

Soldier of God
Yaqut

The Portal
Charlie Jessup

Harodim
The Terrorist
Filmography
- 2023RuthlessRich Barker
- 2022Black WarrantHussein Bin Farri
- 2016Last StopHank
- 2012HarodimThe Terrorist
- 2010The PortalCharlie Jessup
- 2008The Hurt LockerIraqi Translator
- 2007The Road to EmpireDr. Marciano
- 2005Soldier of GodYaqut
- 2003Cradle 2 the GraveEgyptian Buyer
- 2001The AgencyAziz
- 1993seaQuest DSVOlden
- 1992Melrose PlaceLimo Driver
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