Simon Abkarian

Biography

Simon Abkarian, born on March 5, 1962, in Gonesse, Val d'Oise, is a distinguished French-Armenian actor recognized for his versatile performances across stage and screen. Raised in Lebanon, he later relocated to Los Angeles, where he became involved with an Armenian theater group led by Gerald Papazian. In 1985, Abkarian returned to France, where he honed his craft at Acting International and subsequently joined Ariane Mnouchkine's prestigious Théâtre du Soleil.

In 1993, he departed from the Théâtre du Soleil and gained significant acclaim for his role in Richard Kalinoski's "Beast on the Moon," directed by Irina Brook. This poignant portrayal of an Armenian Genocide survivor earned him the Molière Award for Best Actor. Abkarian's film career began with collaborations with French director Cédric Klapisch, featuring in notable films like "When the Cat is Away" (1996) and "Ni pour, ni contre (bien au contraire)" (2003).

His impressive filmography includes leading roles in Sally Potter's "Yes" (2004) and the thriller "J'ai vu tuer Ben Barka," where he portrayed Mehdi Ben Barka. Abkarian showcased his range in various genres, from the adventure "Zaïna, cavalière de l'Atlas" to the James Bond film "Casino Royale," where he played the villain Alex Dimitrios. He also lent his voice to the animated film "Persepolis" and portrayed the Armenian poet Missak Manouchian in Robert Guédiguian's "Army of Crime" (2010). Known for his intense acting style and eclectic role choices, Simon Abkarian remains a celebrated figure in the arts.