Lebanese actor Antoine Kerbaj has passed at 90 years old, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) announced on Sunday.

Known for his distinctive arched eyebrows, a twitching mustache, and a stentorian voice, recognizable among thousands, the charismatic actor marked nearly half a century of stage, television, and cinema in Lebanon and the Arab world. Born in  Zabbougha (Matn), he married artist and journalist Laure Ghorayeb in 1966 with whom he had three children. He made his stage debut in the 1960s after graduating from Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), quickly embracing his theatrical vocation under the direction of Mounir Abou Debs.

Classics and Lebanese works

His diction and presence propelled him onto the greatest Lebanese stages, where he performed both Western theater classics he had translated himself and local works by Jalal Khoury, Issam Mahfouz, Yaacoub Chedraoui, Berge Vazlian, the Caracalla troupe, the Rahbani brothers, or Antoine Ghandour. Kerbaj alternated between dramas, comedies, and historical epics, becoming an indispensable figure in theater, cinema, and television. His memorable role as Jean Valjean in the televised adaptation of Les Misérables by Bassem Nasr in 1974 and his portrayal of the popular hero Barbar Agha (1980) will remain etched in collective memory.

His son, Mazen Kerbaj, a recognized artist, is immortalizing his journey through a series of graphic novels titled Antoine, sensitively unveiling the behind-the-scenes life and career of this giant of Lebanese theater who passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh paid tribute to him on his X account, “Antoine Kerbaj was a monument in his own right, whether in writing, acting, or directing. He was an unavoidable figure in Lebanese theater during its golden age. His famous frown on-screen hid a sincere inner kindness, a refined professional dedication, and a tireless concern for the state of this beautiful art and the interests of his children. May God grant him mercy and give his family the patience to endure his loss.”