Renowned Lebanese artist Antoine Kerbaj passed away at the age of 90, following a long battle with illness, including Alzheimer's disease, which gradually distanced him from his loved ones and the lively social life he had always known.
Born in the village of Zbogha, located on the slopes of Mount Sannine in Lebanon, Kerbaj was the son of Chukri Kerbaj and Irasama Karam. He was the eldest of four boys and one girl. After completing his studies in public schools, he pursued history and geography education and later graduated from Saint Joseph University.
Kerbaj’s passion for theater began at the age of 9, when he wrote and performed sketches with his neighbors and family. In the late 1950s, while continuing his studies at Saint Joseph University, he began performing on the university stage. His professional theater debut came in Morocco with the play Aṭlāl wa Layl. He later joined Mounir Abou Debs in 1968 and collaborated with the Rahbani brothers. Alongside his theater work, Kerbaj also appeared in several films, starting with Gharou in 1965 and Safar Barlek in 1967. However, it was in 1974 that he truly entered the television world, landing a role in the series Les Misérables.
Kerbaj married poet, journalist and artist Lorie Gharib in 1966. Together, they had three children: Walid, Rola and Mazen.
Antoine Kerbaj leaves behind a rich cultural legacy in both Lebanese theater and television. His name will remain engraved in the collective memory of the Lebanese people, and his contributions to Lebanese art will continue to inspire generations to come.
Comments