Lebanese People Who Made It Big in Old Hollywood

Old Hollywood wasn’t just about American stars—Lebanese talent also shone brightly on the silver screen. We listed some of the most notable figures in American cinema who were actually Lebanese.

Let us know if we missed any!

1. Dany Thomas

Born Amos Muzyad Yaqoob Kairouz, Danny Thomas came from a Lebanese family that had immigrated to the United States seeking business opportunities. He first stepped onto the stage at fifteen and quickly discovered his calling for the spotlight.

With his magnetic smile and vibrant personality, Thomas captivated audiences as an actor, singer, comedian, and film producer. His notable contributions earned him his own series, The Danny Thomas Show, which aired from 1963 to 1967. Thomas also worked with television legends such as Dean Martin, Shirley Jones, Bing Crosby, and others. He has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

You can read more about his rise to stardom here.

2. Casey Kasem

The iconic Casey Kasem, born Kemal Amin Kasem to Lebanese immigrants Helen and Amin Kasem in Detroit, was a popular radio host whose career took off in the 1970s when he started hosting America Top 40.

Though he’s mostly famed for being a radio host, he also joined the Scooby Doo, Where Are You? cast as a voice actor for the character Shaggy Rogers. Kasem has marked most, if not all, our childhoods with his voice as the relatable foodie Shaggy. Just like Danny Thomas, he has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

You can read more about Kasem here.

3. Frank Lackteen

Film actor Frank Lackteen was born Mohammad Hassan Yahcteen in Qob Elias in 1897, but he spent most of his childhood in Massachusetts. It’s unclear when he changed his name to Frank, but his talent for acting was evident from an early age.

Appearing in nearly 200 films between 1915 and 1965—including several Three Stooges shorts and many silent films—Lackteen became a familiar face on the silver screen, often playing villainous roles. He was possibly the first Arab villain ever portrayed in Hollywood!

4. George Nader

George Garfield Nader was an American actor and writer of Lebanese descent, appearing in multiple films between 1950 and 1974, including Sins of Jezebel, Congo Crossing, and The Female Animal. He won a Golden Globe for “Most Promising Newcomer” back in 1955.

Nader is often remembered for his role in the 3D sci-fi film Robot Monster, considered one of the worst films ever made (ouch). Unfortunately for him, Hollywood was filled with athletic/muscular heartthrobs, so he couldn’t quite make it in that casting category.

5. Emile Kuri

Emile Kuri was a set decorator of Lebanese descent, born in Mexico in 1907. He won two Academy Awards (for The Heiress (1949) and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954), and additionally received six additional nominations for Best Art Direction.

He contributed to decorating executive offices as well as both interior and exterior settings at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

6. Jamie Farr

Jamie Farr, born Jameel Joseph Farah in in Toledo, Ohio, was the son of Samuel Farah, a grocery store owner from the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon, and Jamelia, a seamstress who was a first-generation Lebanese American from Iowa.

His first ever acting experience was at age 11, when he received 2 dollars after winning a local acting competition. Jamie Farr is best known for his role as Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger on the television show MASH*. His character, originally intended as a one-time appearance, became a series regular because of how funny he was.

Farr was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1985.

If you enjoyed this read about Lebanese actors who made it big in Old Hollywood, you might also like: Random Hollywood Actors You Didn’t Know Had Lebanese Roots.