OMID DJALILI


Omid Djalili is Britain's only Iranian stand-up comedian and actor. After winning the "Spirit of the Fringe' award at the Edinburgh Festival in 1994, Omid has become a fringe favourite with a string of sell-out shows. In 1995 it was with 'Short Fat Kebab Shop Owner's Son', again in 1996 in 'Arab & The Jew' and in 1997 with a full-length solo stand-up show, 'Omid Djalili Is Ethnic'. He has become one of the funniest comedians in Britain, this being reinforced by him winning of the 'LWT Best Stand-Up Award'. His international appeal is vast, having performed in the last three years in Australia, Austria, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Omid has appeared in BBC2 'Alexei Sayle's Merry-go-round' CH4 sketch show 'Barking' and CH4 'Coming Soon'. Omid has also been seen on the big screen in 'Notting Hill' and a major roll with Brendan Fraser; and John Hannah, in Hollywood's remake of the 1932 Boris Karloff film 'The Mummy'. In August 1999 Omid once again was awarded with the 'Spirit of the Fringe' at the Edinburgh Festival. His show received rave reviews in the newspapers with an exclusive interview with him requested by 'The Times'. During the festival he appeared on BBC2 'Edinburgh Nights'. 1999 also saw Omid in yet another film, 'Mad Cows' alongside Anna Friel. He also appeared in the James Bond Movie 'The World Is Not Enough', and in every episode of a new Ch4 sitcom 'Small Potatoes' alongside Perrier Award Winner Tommy Tiernan. In May 2000 Omid was seen in the Ridley Scott film 'Gladiator', starring the late Oliver Reed. He also spent time in Turkey where he was shooting for his next film 'Jason and the Argonauts' starring Dennis Hopper. He recorded two performances for 'Live at Jongleurs' (all other UK comedians got one slot). He signed a major video deal with VVL, and in August returned to the Edinburgh Festival with his new show 'Warm to my Winning Smile', which once again was a complete sell out. 'Hilarious and painfully funny, Omid Djalili is unmissable' Independent 'His explosive and wide-eyed humour comes bursting out of nowhere, sending the audience into fits' The Scotsman