Barkhad Abdi – Who Played Pirate in "Captain Phillips" – is Struggling to Make His Both Ends Meet

The Somalian actor Barkhad Abdi, who not only became a much admired film star overnight but also an Oscar contender (from mere a Limo driver) due to his outstanding performance in Paul Greengrass's piracy/hostage drama "Captain Phillips", is reportedly struggling to make his both ends meet. Abdi has revealed to New Yorker that he made sixty-five thousand dollars for a $55 million Oscar nominated film. He is contending for Academy Award on Sunday under the category of Best Supporting Actor, but he can't meet his financial needs.

Barkhad has been extensively extolled for his brilliant debut performance as the frantic and violent pirate Muse, and even improvised the movie’s much admired signature line: “I’m the captain now.” But, according to a story published in New Yorker, he received only $65,000 for his role in $55 million budget film which earned more than $1 billion. Now, Abdi is financially struggling.

There’s no saying how an Academy Award can alter his life and can provide immense opportunities for more film projects. He has already grabbed a BAFTA award for best supporting actor, and is looking for his next film project.

After the shooting of Captain Phillips was completed, he started working at his brother’s cell phone shop in Minneapolis. But, he left the job when film was released.

“How I thought about it was, like, When the movie came out, reviews either gonna be good or bad,” he said. “Either way, I cannot be working here.”

When Abdi is in Los Angeles for the movie’s promotional campaign, New Yoker reports, he manages to survive on a per diem that he is allowed to use at the Beverly Hilton, where the studio has accommodated him. He is provided with a town car, but he cannot drive it whenever he wants, as the car is only for official promotional campaigns. It is quite sad to know that he still wears borrowed clothes.

Barkhad lately requested if he could be accommodated at a hotel near LAX, to live nearer to an old friend, who is a Somali taxi driver from Minneapolis and is willing to drive him places without any charges.

Still, it seems that his life is better than what it might have been without the “Captain Phillips”, as he still has hopes and opportunities for acting career in Hollywood. He was just 6-year-old when war started in Somalia, and rape and massacre were the usual incidents in Somalia. He was working as a Limo Driver when he heard about the announcement that Somali Actors are required for a film.