Lior Raz

**Lior Raz**, an immensely talented Israeli actor and screenwriter, was born on 24 November 1971 in Ma'ale Adumim, an Israeli settlement close to Jerusalem. Raised in an environment rich in cultural amalgam, Lior was brought up speaking Arabic along with his native language, Hebrew. His father, an esteemed member of Shayetet 13 and Shin Bet, and his mother, a dedicated teacher, have been instrumental in shaping Lior's early life. Lior's journey from being an elite undercover counter-terrorism commando in the Israel Defense Forces to being the bodyguard of Arnold Schwarzenegger exemplifies his diverse experiences that span across different countries and cultures. Following his return to Israel at age 24, Raz attended the respected Nissan Nativ Drama School in Tel Aviv. This eventually sparked a successful acting career, marked by influential roles in various plays and Israeli television series. In 2011, he powerfully portrayed a police unit commander in Nadav Lapid's drama film Policeman. Raz garnered international acclaim with the critically praised political thriller television series Fauda, which he co-created with Avi Issacharoff. His portrayal of Doron Kabilio, the commander of an undercover counter-terrorism Mista'arvim unit, won him the award for best actor at the Israeli TV Academy Awards. Significantly known for his role in Netflix's Hit & Run, Raz continues to create and star in series that resonate with audiences worldwide. While his work in Ghosts of Beirut, A Body That Works, and Soda by Erez Tadmor has bolstered his acting prowess, his performance in Gladiator II as Viggo reflects his exploration of versatile characters. Away from his professional life, Raz enjoys a peaceful life with his wife, Meital Berdah, and their four children in Ramat Hasharon, Israel.