Wael Sharaf

Wael Sharaf (Arabic: وائل شرف; born 15 July 1977) is a Syrian actor and film director. He is known for playing Moataz in the historical drama Bab al-Hara seasons 1-7, which is shown during Ramadan.^[1]

Wael Sharaf
Born	Wael Subhi Al-Rifai (1977-07-15) July 15, 1977 (age 48) Syria
Nationality	Syrian
Occupation(s)	Actor, Director, Lecturer
Years active	2001–
Known for	The Arabic Johnny Depp, Ageed Moataz, Abo Jud, Abo Al-Ezz
Partner	Khuloud Sawa
Children	2
Website	waelsharaf.com

Early life

Wael Sharaf's real name is Wael Subhi Al-Rifai. He is the son of Syrian actor Subhi Al-Rifai.^[2] Wael is popular among a large segment of the Syrian population. He graduated from the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus in 2001 and participated in TV shows on Arab Syrian TV. He debuted in Al-Mutanabbi in 2001.^[1] He studied medicine in Ukraine, but it did not suit him. He then switched to acting. Sharaf, also called "the Arabic Johnny Depp", gained a large audience after his performance of Moataz in Bab al-Hara, which appeared across the Arab world.^[3]

Bab Al-Hara

Bab Al-Hara premiered in 2006 and is one of the most popular television series in the Arab world. Sharaf appeared throughout the series, and his role in season 4 expanded. Wael Sharaf played Moataz, the son of pharmacist Abu Issam.^[4] He left the series after season 7.^[5]

In an interview with CNN Arabic, director Bassam Al-Mulla stated that Sharaf was studying in London and that he demanded a higher wage. Bassem also stated that Wael ignored the favors the series bestowed on him.^[6] The next week Wael responded, stressing that without him the character would not have achieved the success it experienced.^[7]

Death rumor

in 2012 rumors that Wael Sharaf had fled towards Turkey and was killed in an air raid. Sharaf laid the rumors to rest by making a public statement that he was alive and still in Syria.^[8]

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2001	Al-Muttanabi
2003	Maraya		Only 1 Episode
2003	Boqaa Dhaou 3		Season 3
2003	Dhikrayat Al-Zaman Al Kadem
2003	Ana wa Aammati Amina	Hatem
2003	Al-Houjaj
2003	Is'al Rouhak
2003	Hakayat Al-lail wa Al-nahar		Episode: "Qays wa Layla"
2004	AlKhayt Al-abyadh	Jamal
2004	Fatel Al-rabie	Ashraf
2004	Layali Al-Salhiya	Abd Al-Hay
2004	Rejaha	Aaref
2005	Al-shams Tashruq Men Jadid	Riyadh
2006	Al-Qadhiya 6008	Nadim
2006	Ahl Algharam
2006	Weshaa Alhawa	Andre
2006–2015	Bab Al-Hara	Moataz	Season 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
2007	Aaqal Almajanin
2007	Aljamar wa Aljamar
2007	Antar Ibn Shaddad	Hounayfa Ibn Badr
2007	Sirat Alhoub	Different roles: Alladin in Alladin and the Magic Lompe, Tamim in Sukkar Makr, Ammar in Mabas Tama Ghayrama
2007	Koum Alhajar	Ahmed
2008	Lays Saraba	Aamer
2008	Beit Jeddi	Aajaj	Season 1
2009	Qalbi Maakoum	Fouad
2010	Laanat Altin	Jawad
2010	Baad Alsoqout	Majeed
2011–2012	Dalila wa Zaybaq	Ali Al-Zaybaq	Season 1 and 2
2012	Tahoun Al-shar	Zidou
2014	El-hob Kolah	Nasr Al-Deen	Episodes (5) of Nasr
2018	Hawa Al-roh	Ibrahim

Dubbing roles

• Monster Rancher (TV series) as Datonares *In the name of Wael Al-Rifai
• Hunter × Hunter (1999) as Phinks Magcub (episodes 58–61), Geretta , Agon , Gotoh , Riehlvelt , Melody , Owl , Assassin E , Leorio (episodes 63–70) *In the name of Wael Al-Rifai
• Wish Kid *In the name of Wael Al-Rifai
• VS Knight Ramune & 40 Fire as Mito Natto *In the name of Wael Al-Rifai
• GeGeGe no Kitarō (2007 film) as Kitarō