We all have to acknowledge that we get a small tingling in our stomachs when a Lebanese makes it internationally. Whether it is in the entertainment, science, medicine, or arts fields.
We simply can’t hold ourselves when meeting a foreigner to say “oh by the way, do you know that…is Lebanese?”.
Here is a list of international celebrities that YOU didn’t even know were originally Lebanese:
Amy Yasbeck
Born on the 12th of September 1962 in Ohio to John Anthony Yasbeck, a Lebanese butcher and grocery store owner and Dorothy Louise Mary, an Irish homemaker; Amy has acted in several movies and television series:
Most notably Pretty Woman (1990), The Mask (1994), Magnum P.I (1987), The Cosby Show (1991), That’s So Raven (2006), Bones (2013), Modern Family (2013) and Pretty Little Liars (2016).
Casey Kasem
Kemal Amin Kasem (April 7, 1932 – June 15, 2014) was born in Detroit, Michigan to Lebanese Immigrant parents. He was an outstanding Voice Over artist and Actor.
Some of his works included: Scooby-Doo, The Return of the King, Ghostbusters, The Transformers, Looney Tunes: Back in Action, The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo, Sesame Street and Johnny Bravo.
Edurne Ganem
Also known as Edy Ganem, this Mexican-Lebanese Actress was born on the 20th of September 1983 in California.
She has played in The Way to Happiness (2009), Black Limousine (2010), After the Wedding (2014), Entourage (2008), The Cleveland Show (2012), and Devious Maids (2013-2015).
David Yazbek
Born in 1961 in New York City to a Lebanese father and an Italian-Jewish mother, David has paved his way into becoming a Musician, Composer, and Lyricist.
He has composed the music and lyrics for the Broadway Musicals: The Full Monty (2000), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2005), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (2010) and The Band’s Visit (2017).
Danny Thomas
Born Amos Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz (January 6, 1912 – February 6, 1991) in Michigan to Lebanese Immigrants from Deir El Ahmar, Lebanon.
Danny was a Comedian, Singer, Actor, and Producer whose career spanned five decades. He was also the founder of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Dan Jbara
Dan was born in Detroit to Lebanese parents. He is a Television and Film Producer whose career has primarily focused on the reality television field in the U.S.
Some of his works include: Producer for The Mickey Mouse Club – Disney Channel (1993), Executive Producer for Is It Possible – Discovery Channel (2010), Executive Producer for In Search for The Partridge Family (2004) and Producer for Hard Copy – Paramount Television (1989-1993).
Kathy Najimy
Born on the 6th of February 1957 in California to Lebanese parents, Kathy Ann Najimy has been an actress since 1985 until present.
Some of her most famous Movie works include: Sister Act (1992), Hocus Pocus (1993), Bride of Chucky (1998), The Wedding Planner (2001), and Descendants (2015).
She has also played in multiple Television series: In Search of Dr. Seuss, Veronica’s Closet, King of the Hill, Hercules, Oswald, Stuart Little: The Animated Series, That’s So Raven, Tinker Bell, Desperate Housewives and Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure.
Jamie Farr
Jameel Joseph Farah was born in Ohio on the 1st of July 1934 to a Lebanese Immigrant family.
He has been an Actor and a Comedian since 1955. He has appeared in many films, M.A.S.H, That 70’s Show, Family Guy, The Flying Nun, Scrooged, and The Mod Squad.
George Nader
Nader was a Film and Television Actor. Born to a Lebanese father and an American mother in California in October 19, 1921, he began his career in the 1950’s.
Some of his most notable works include: Take Care of My Litter Girl (1951), The Loretta Young Show (1953), Joe Butterfly (1957), The Andy Griffith Show (1961), The Secret Mark of D’Artagnan (1962), The House of 1000 Dolls (1967) and Beyond Atlantis (1973).
Frank Lackteen
Frank was born in Kab-Elias, Lebanon on the 29ht of August 1897. He appeared in around 200 films between 1916 and 1965, some of which are:
The Avenging Arrow (1921), The Timber Queen (1922), Idaho (1925), The Black Book (1929), Isle of Fury (1936), Arabian Nights (1942), The Ten Commandments (1956), and The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin (1958).
Emile Kuri
Emile was born on the 11th of June, 1907 in Mexico to Lebanese parents.
He was a Set Decorator who won two Academy Awards for the films The Heiress (1949) and 20.000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) and nominated for six more in the category of Best Art Direction, some of which include Mary Poppins (1964) and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971).
Tom Shadyac
Thomas Peter Shadyac was born on December 11, 1958, in Virginia to Lebanese-Irish parents. He was a Screenwriter, Director, Producer, and Author.
Some of his most notable works include: Ace Ventura-Pet Detective (1994), The Nutty Professor (1996), Dragonfly (2002), Bruce Almighty (2003), and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007).
Rose Abdoo
Rose Marie Abdoo was born on November 28, 1962. Not only is she an Actress but she is a Comedian who went on to develop her own one-woman shows.
Some of acting roles are My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997), The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005), Legally Blondes (2009), Pride & Joy (1995), Gilmore Girls (2002), That’s So Raven (2003), CSI-NY (2005), Malcolm in the Middle (2005), Pretty Little Liars (2010), The Mentalist (2013). and Grey’s Anatomy (2014).
Marlo Thomas
Daughter of Lebanese Danny Thomas, Margaret Julia Thomas was born on the 21st of November 1937. Not only was she an Actress, but she was also a Producer, Author and Social Activist.
In 2014, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony, the highest honor that a civilian can receive.
She has appeared in several films and television series; some of which are: Ocean’s 8 (2018), Playing Mona Lisa (2000), That Girl (1966), The Donna Reed Show (1965), Thriller (1961), Roseanne (1996), Friends (1996), Frasier (1999) and Ugly Betty (2007).
