Omid Djalili

Born on 30 September 1965 in Kensington, London, to Iranian Baháʼí parents, Djalili launched his career at the 1995 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and went on to become one of the UK’s most recognised comedic talents. He studied English and Theatre Studies at Ulster University, and has cited Jack Lemmon, Dustin Hoffman, and Meryl Streep among his acting influences.

Voice Acting Roles

Djalili’s voice work covers animation, video games, and television:

• Tiger in Over the Hedge (2006) — his breakout animated film role for DreamWorks

• Yusuf Amir in Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony (2009) — a flamboyant Emirati billionaire in one of Rockstar’s most beloved GTA expansions

• Yusuf Amir reprised in Grand Theft Auto Online: The Chop Shop DLC (2023)

• Eddie in 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (2009)

• Bongo in Animals United (2010) and Trumper in Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015)

• Mr. Soliman in The Bad Guys 2 (2025) for DreamWorks

• Sandman in In Your Dreams (2025)

• Zipeau (voice) in Dinotopia: The Series (2002–03, 10 episodes)