Art Malik facts for kids

Art Malik is a famous actor from Britain and Pakistan. His full name is Athar ul-Haque Malik, and he was born on November 13, 1952. He became very well-known in the 1980s for his roles in many British TV shows and movies.

You might know him best from the TV series The Jewel in the Crown where he played Hari Kumar. He also appeared in the James Bond film The Living Daylights (1987) and the action movie True Lies (1994).

Early Life and Acting Start

Art Malik was born in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. His father was a doctor who worked as an eye surgeon in Britain. When Art was three years old, his family moved to London in 1956.

He went to Bec Grammar School in Tooting from age eleven. After trying out business studies, he decided he wanted to act. He studied acting at the Questors Theatre and later won a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Soon after, he began working with famous theater groups like the Old Vic and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Acting Career Highlights

Art Malik has had many exciting roles throughout his career.

Early Successes

In 1982, a few years after finishing drama school, Art Malik got a big role as Hari Kumar in the TV show The Jewel in the Crown. This show was based on a book series called Raj Quartet.

In 1987, he joined the world of James Bond! He played Kamran Shah in the movie The Living Daylights. His character was an Afghan Mujahideen leader who helped James Bond fight against invaders.

More Famous Roles

Art Malik continued to take on interesting parts. In 1993, he read a story called Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie on the BBC children's show Jackanory.

A year later, in 1994, he played his first major villain role on the big screen. He was Salim Abu Aziz in the action movie True Lies, starring alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. This role was a big opportunity for him. After True Lies, he was offered many other action movie roles, but he chose to do different kinds of films, like Clockwork Mice. He also starred in a play called Indian Ink in London's West End.

Recent Work

Art Malik has appeared in many other TV shows and films.

• In 1999, he played Olympos, a doctor to Queen Cleopatra, in the miniseries Cleopatra.
• He narrated TV documentaries like Hajj: The Journey of a Lifetime (2001) and The British Empire in Colour (2002).
• He played Milkha Singh's father in the 2013 Indian film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.
• From 2011 to 2014, he had a main role in the historical TV series Borgia.
• He played a retired Pakistani general named Bunran "Bunny" Latif in the TV series Homeland in 2014 and again in 2020.
• More recently, he appeared in Bancroft (2017), Doc Martin (2017), and Doctor Who (2018).

Personal Life

Art Malik is married to Gina Rowe, who he met when they were both studying acting. They got married in 1980 and have two daughters, Jessica and Keira.

He has also helped raise money for important causes. For example, he helped with relief efforts after the Gujarat earthquake in 2001. He also appeared in an advertisement to help victims of the Pakistan Floods in 2010.

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Art Malik para niños