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Philip Shahbaz

Philip Shahbaz
Philip Shahbaz
Born (1974-07-01) July 1, 1974 (age 50)
EducationWhitworth University
OccupationActor
Years active2005–present

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,[1] 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, the hit television drama about the life of Jesus, 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 show's 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 Role
2005 Over There Iraqi Soldier #2
2006 E-Ring Palace Guard
The Unit Dasani
Sleeper Cell Custom Agent
2007 Californication Man on Cell Phone
Journeyman Superior
Chuck Art Dealer
2008 Caught in the Action Undercover
Mind of Mencia Terrorist
Eleventh Hour ER Doctor
2009 The Bill Engvall Show Maitre'd
2010 24 Wasim's Officer
Grey's Anatomy Translator
Undercovers Communications Officer
2012 Touch Abdul's Uncle #1
2013 Lauren Husband
2020 Paranormal Wahbi (voice)
2021 NCIS Doctor Hamza Bashar
SEAL Team Yassine 'Raqqa Jacques' Kassen
So Not Worth It Aksour
2022 Bosch: Legacy Cyrus
Welcome to Chippendales Peter Bogdanovich

Video games

Year Title Role
2007 Assassin's Creed Altaïr Ibn-LaʼAhad

Film

Year Title Role
2005 Matthew 26:17 Matthew
2006 Jaded Professor
2007 Unending Hell Muhammed
2009 The Terrorist Sameh Bahar (voice)
2010 Jeffie Was Here Mahmood
2020 DNA Nadir (voice)
2021 Squared Love Adnrzej (voice)

References