Oded Fehr

Born into a Jewish household on November 23, 1970, in Tel Aviv, Fehr’s lineage includes German roots through his mother, Gila Lahmann, who immigrated to Israel, and Dutch heritage from his father. Throughout his early education and into his college years, acting wasn’t a pursuit that interested him. It was only after completing his mandatory military service in the Israeli Navy that Fehr ventured into the realm of entrepreneurship.

His foray into civilian life eventually led to an unexpected revelation of his natural flair for acting and a budding interest in the spotlight. Fehr decided to refine his acting skills and pursued formal training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in England, following an initial drama course in Frankfurt, Germany. His time from 1989 to 1992 was spent in the navy, and he also undertook a role in security for the Israeli airline El Al.

In 1999, Oded Fehr took on the role of Victor in “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,” a comedy directed by Mike Mitchell and featuring talents like Rob Schneider, Richard Riehle, and Amy Poehler. His breakthrough came with “The Mummy,” where his distinctive looks and compelling presence quickly made him a favorite among the film’s creators.

In this action-packed adventure, Fehr embodied the lead Medjai, thwarting the protagonists’ attempts to enter the sacred tomb. This role introduced him to notable actors such as Brendan Fraser, John Hannah, and Rachel Weisz, under the direction of Stephen Sommers. The movie’s engaging narrative and significant box office success led to the production of subsequent sequels.

Fehr recounted the challenging shooting conditions for “The Mummy,” which included battling through storms and sandstorms, with the crew once requiring helicopter evacuation due to severe weather. 2001 saw him in a pivotal role in “UC: Undercover,” acting alongside James Handy and Vera Farmiga.

His career continued to flourish with a part in “Resident Evil: Apocalypse” in 2004, and he was later seen in two additional sequels. In “Charmed,” he portrayed Zankou, a formidable demon, sharing the screen with Alyssa Milano, Rose McGowan, and Dorian Gregory. By 2008, he added “The Betrayed,” featuring Melissa George, to his growing list of credits.

2010 marked Fehr’s venture into horror with “Super Hybrid,” co-starring Shannon Beckner and Melanie Papalia. He ventured into the realm of fantasy as Jafar in “Once Upon a Time,” collaborating with Jennifer Morrison, Ginnifer Goodwin, Emilie de Ravin, and Lana Parrilla. His acting prowess was further showcased in series like “The First,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” and “FBI.” In 2021, Fehr appeared in “Red Prophecies,” alongside Alexander Nevsky and Michael Madsen, continuing to demonstrate his versatility and talent in the acting field.

Oded Fehr keeps the intricacies of his personal life under wraps, choosing only to share about his professional endeavors on his social media platforms. During the winter of 2000, Fehr crossed paths with Rhonda Tollefson, and their immediate connection led to marriage. The family welcomed their first child, a son named Atticus, in 2003, and expanded with the arrival of their daughter, Finley, three years later. Fehr embraced fatherhood for the third time shortly thereafter.

Currently, Fehr remains active in the acting world, taking on roles in a variety of notable ventures. The year 2023 saw him lending his voice to a character in the animated series “Praise Petey.” Furthermore, Fehr is set to appear in the upcoming drama “La Cocina,” alongside talents such as Rooney Mara, John Pyper-Ferguson, Laura Gomez, and James Waterston, signaling another promising addition to his already distinguished career.