F. Murray Abraham American actor Date of Birth: 24.10.1939 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Early Career: Theater and Film
3. Breakthrough: "Scarface" and the Oscar for "Amadeus"
4. "The Curse of the Oscar"
5. Later Career and Personal Life
6. Personal Life
7. Recent Work

Early Life and Education

F. Murray Abraham was born on October 24, 1939, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Farrid (Frederick) Abraham, an auto mechanic, and Josephine Abraham. His paternal grandfather was a Syrian Orthodox priest who immigrated to the United States from Syria to escape famine when he was five years old. His Italian-American mother was the daughter of a coal miner in Western Pennsylvania.

Growing up in El Paso, Texas, young Murray and his younger brothers Jack and Robert were raised in the Orthodox Christian faith and served as acolytes at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church. After graduating from high school, Abraham attended Texas Western College, where he first discovered his talent for acting and won an Alpha Psi Omega award for his performance as the Indian Nocona in the play "Comanche Eagle." He continued his education at the University of Texas at Austin and later took acting classes at the Uta Hagen Acting School in New York City.

Early Career: Theater and Film

Before pursuing a full-time acting career, Abraham worked in a clothing factory. He made his theater debut in a production of Ray Bradbury's "Season of Belief" and instantly felt a connection to the stage. He later moved to Los Angeles, where he balanced stage work with small roles in film and television. Abraham's film debut came in the 1971 comedy "They Might Be Giants." He also appeared in the crime drama "Serpico" (1973) alongside Al Pacino. As his career progressed, Abraham demonstrated a versatile talent, playing both law enforcement officers and villains with equal skill.

Breakthrough: "Scarface" and the Oscar for "Amadeus"

Although he had yet to achieve significant recognition, Abraham's career took a dramatic turn in 1983 when he was cast as the drug lord Omar Suarez in Brian De Palma's gangster film "Scarface." The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $65 million worldwide.

Concurrently, Abraham was also filming the biographical drama "Amadeus" (1984). His portrayal of the envious and ruthless composer Antonio Salieri earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor. "Amadeus" went on to win a total of eight Oscars, four BAFTA awards, and four Golden Globes.

"The Curse of the Oscar"

Abraham's Oscar win proved to be a double-edged sword, as it typecast him as a villain. In 1986, he appeared in the adaptation of Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose," playing the fanatical Inquisitor Bernando Gui. Critics began to speculate that Abraham was suffering from the so-called "curse of the Oscar." However, Abraham dismissed these claims, stating that he had simply grown tired of playing villains.

Later Career and Personal Life

Despite the lack of lead roles, Abraham continued to work steadily in film, television, and theater. He collaborated with renowned directors such as Woody Allen in "Mighty Aphrodite" (1995) while also returning to Shakespearean stage productions, including "Othello" and "Richard III." For his role in Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya," he received an Obie Award. On Broadway, he starred in "Triumph of Love" and taught acting at Brooklyn College.

In the early 2000s, Abraham's career experienced a resurgence as he shifted his focus to television. He appeared in popular series such as "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and "Homeland," for which he received two Emmy nominations. On the big screen, he is known for his roles in "Inside Llewyn Davis" (2013) and "The Grand Budapest Hotel" (2014). He also voiced a character in the animated film "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World" (2019).

Personal Life

Abraham has had a happy and long-lasting marriage to Kate Hannan. They met before he found fame and married in 1962. Together, they have two children: Mick and Jamil. Abraham has faced personal tragedy, losing both his younger brothers in car accidents. During a period of unemployment, his wife became the family's primary breadwinner while he cared for the children.

Recent Work

Despite his advanced age, Abraham continues to act and has no plans to retire. In March 2022, he voiced the Egyptian moon god Khonshu in the Marvel miniseries "Moon Knight." Several more projects are scheduled for release later in the year, including the musical "The Magic Flute," in which he plays the lead role.