Ben Youcef is an Algerian-American actor, writer, and director known for his roles in films and television series including Munich, From the Rough, SEAL Team, and 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi. Beyond acting, he has built a career as a voice-over specialist for Arabic-language roles in major film and video game productions, and he remains active in film and television projects as of 2026.
Quick Facts: Ben Youcef
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Known As | Ben Youcef |
| Date of Birth | February 19, 1979 |
| Age | 47 |
| Birthplace | Algiers, Algeria |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Nationality | Algerian-American |
| Profession | Actor, writer, director, former model |
| Famous For | Roles in Munich, From the Rough, SEAL Team, and 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi |
Who Is Ben Youcef?
Ben Youcef is an actor whose career spans film, television, video games, and voice-over work, built around his fluency in Arabic and his background as a classically trained theater performer. He is also sometimes credited under the fuller name Abdulwahab Benyoucef, though he works professionally as Ben Youcef.
Ben Youcef’s Age and Early Life
Ben Youcef was born on February 19, 1979, in Algiers, Algeria, which makes him 47 years old as of 2026. He was raised in Saudi Arabia before moving to London to train as a theater actor. As the son of a diplomat, he grew up speaking multiple languages and has described his father’s influence on how he thinks about his own identity and heritage.
How Ben Youcef Got His Start
Before pursuing acting full time, Ben Youcef worked as a model in New York, appearing in campaigns for brands including Gucci, Armani, Donna Karan, Hugo Boss, and H&M. His path into film accelerated after he landed a role in Munich (2005), Steven Spielberg’s historical thriller. Spielberg is credited with discovering Youcef during that production, an early break that helped launch his acting career in the United States.
After relocating to Los Angeles, Youcef began building a résumé of guest and supporting roles on major television dramas, including Law & Order, CSI: NY, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Chicago P.D.
Acting Career and Breakout Roles
One of Ben Youcef’s most notable early film roles came in From the Rough, in which he co-starred alongside Taraji P. Henson and the late Michael Clarke Duncan. His performance in the film earned him a Best Actor award at the London International Film Festival.
Youcef went on to build a steady career in film and television, taking on roles in projects such as The Institute (2017), SEAL Team (2017), 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016), Future World (2018), and Buoyancy (2018). He also wrote the story for the 2014 film The Algerian and directed a short film, Pillow Talk, in 2019.
In 2024, Youcef appeared in the Netflix film Lonely Planet, starring opposite Liam Hemsworth and Laura Dern, as well as in the films Afraid and Succubus. His television work has continued into recent years with an appearance on The Rookie and a role on The Equalizer.
Voice-Over and Video Game Work
Alongside his on-screen acting career, Ben Youcef has become a sought-after voice-over specialist, particularly for roles requiring fluency across multiple Arabic dialects. He has provided voice work for major video game franchises, including Call of Duty and Medal of Honor: Warfighter, as well as ADR (additional dialogue recording) work for films such as X-Men: Apocalypse, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, and Rendition.
The “Call to Prayer” Performance
Outside of acting, Ben Youcef became known for his involvement in interfaith community work in Los Angeles, joining a nonprofit group made up of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim members. His performance of a call to prayer through this group gained significant online attention, reportedly drawing millions of views. He was later invited by composer Philip Glass to perform the call to prayer as part of a live performance of “Powaqqatsi” at the Hollywood Bowl, in front of thousands of attendees.
Ben Youcef’s Selected Filmography
| Project | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Munich | 2005 | Salah – Khalid Jawad |
| From the Rough | 2011 | Bassam |
| 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi | 2016 | Azaan |
| SEAL Team | 2017 | Zied Al-Haqqan |
| Buoyancy | 2018 | Franco |
| Lonely Planet | 2024 | Beverage Cart Salesman |
| Succubus | 2024 | Villager |
| The Rookie | 2026 | Kadeer Gasmi |
Where Is Ben Youcef Now?
As of 2026, Ben Youcef remains active in the entertainment industry. He recently completed work on The Sheep Detectives, playing a role called Joseph, and has a project titled L.A. 4ORCE in post-production, in which he plays a character named Alex. He has also continued taking on television roles, including an appearance on The Rookie. Earlier reports indicated he was set to co-star alongside James Franco in a thriller called Kill the Czar, though its current release status is not clearly confirmed by recent, reliable sources.
Ben Youcef Net Worth
Ben Youcef’s exact net worth has not been publicly confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ben Youcef? Ben Youcef is an Algerian-American actor, writer, and director known for roles in Munich, From the Rough, SEAL Team, and 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, as well as extensive voice-over work in Arabic.
How old is Ben Youcef? Ben Youcef was born on February 19, 1979, making him 47 years old as of 2026.
Where is Ben Youcef from? He was born in Algiers, Algeria, and was raised in Saudi Arabia before training as a theater actor in London.
How did Ben Youcef become an actor? He started as a model before being cast in Steven Spielberg’s Munich in 2005. Spielberg is credited with discovering him, which helped launch his acting career in the United States.
What movies and shows has Ben Youcef been in? His credits include Munich, From the Rough, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, SEAL Team, Lonely Planet, and The Rookie, among others.
Does Ben Youcef do voice-over work? Yes. He is known as a voice-over specialist for Arabic-language roles, having worked on video games including Call of Duty and Medal of Honor: Warfighter, as well as ADR work for several major films.
What is Ben Youcef’s net worth? Ben Youcef’s exact net worth has not been publicly confirmed.
What is Ben Youcef doing now? As of 2026, he continues to work in film and television, with recent and upcoming projects including The Sheep Detectives, L.A. 4ORCE, and an appearance on The Rookie.
Conclusion
Ben Youcef has built a multifaceted career as an actor, writer, director, and voice-over artist, starting with his discovery by Steven Spielberg on the set of Munich and continuing through steady work in film and television for two decades. His fluency in Arabic and background in interfaith community work have also made him a distinctive figure beyond his screen credits. As of 2026, Ben Youcef continues to take on new roles, keeping him an active presence in Hollywood well past his initial breakout.
