By Mr. Kurd , Rahim Rashidi
Hayman Homer is bridging the cultural gaps in entertainment with his captivating work in the film industry.
In the international realm of filmmaking, a new name stands out: Hayman Homer. This young up and coming American actor of Kurdish origin has taken on the film industry with his standout performance as the first Kurd to portray Jesus Christ in The Messiah (2024) This historical drama is currently showing at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., the biggest bible museum in the world. Hayman also plays a war medic in the drama thriller Aman (2024).
Hayman is deeply motivated by his background. Born in Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan, he and his seven siblings were raised by a single mom. Hayman was only 10 years old when his dad was killed. Hayman’s father first became a prisoner of war and was later martyred in the Kurdish-Iraqi war, fighting for Kurdish independence as a Peshmerga intelligence operative... “My father was a revolutionary for the Kurdish people’s rights, he sacrificed his own life for the sake of freedom and the existence of Kurdish identity against the dictatorship of Sadam Hussein’s Ba’athist regime in Iraq. I’m continuing his path through filmmaking and telling powerful stories that resonates with the world to give a voice for the voiceless. His struggle and my mother’s dedication to raise a big family on her own with honor and dignity is what motivates me the most.” Hayman stated.
Hayman, being deeply motivated by the struggle of the community in which he grew up, commits his work to showcase the rich culture of Kurdistan on the global stage and break down stereotypes of minority groups. The Kurdish-born American actor is one of the few actors, of Middle Eastern origin, using his platform to promote diversity and to reduce prejudicial portrayals of minority groups in Hollywood. “I want to use my platform to expand diversity and raise awareness about issues that matter and help make a real difference in the world,” stated Hayman.
His mission is evident in his groundbreaking role as the first Kurd to portray Jesus Christ – which not only brings representation to Kurds in cinema but also promotes peace by showcasing acceptance of all religions in Kurdistan. Furthermore, his mission is evident in his lesser-known community efforts off screen as a board member of the Kurdistani Diaspora Center and Tennessee Kurdish Community Council that work to promote principles of democracy, peace, free opinion, coexistence, and community cooperation. His public service initiative reflects his educational background as he holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from Salahaddin University.
Hayman is driven by his origins as well as his passion to bring diverse representation into entertainment as he expands his work into the American film industry and beyond. He aims to not only portray stories through acting but also through his work into film producing.
On producing, Hayman reflects: “this allows me to bring powerful and compelling stories to the big screen, explore different aspects of humanity, and tell stories that resonate with people all over the world”.
Up next is Hayman’s ambitious secret project bringing the saga of a Kurdish renowned mythological character to life as a Hollywood blockbuster. He plans to continue utilizing inspiration from both Kurdish and American history and literature to help feature well-rounded portrayals of diverse backgrounds. Hayman works tirelessly to change the disparity in the lives of Kurds and other isolated minorities in the Middle East, creating positive outcomes and inspiring hope.
Rahim "Mr. Kurd" Rashidi is a media fellow at the Gold Institute for International Strategy, a Washington DC think-and-do tank.
