Omid Abtahi, an actor of American and Iranian descent, lived in the Middle East and Europe before moving to the U.S. Prior to his television career, Omid made his mark in the theatre, performing for plays such as Fraulein Else and Adoration of the Old Woman. He has just filmed the movie Running with Scissors starring Annette Benning and Gwyneth Paltrow.

 

Salim is played by Omid Abtahi on Showtime’s terrorism-themed drama Sleeper Cell. Omid is an Iraqi-born Muslim who grew up in the UK. When his parents found out that he was gay, he was sent to an Islamic boarding school.