Ben Youcef is an Algerian actor, writer, producer, voice performer, and former model best known for his work in film and television. Born in Algiers, Algeria, on February 19, 1979, he built an international career that has taken him from theater and modeling to Hollywood productions. As of 2026, Ben Youcef is 47 years old.

His career includes appearances in films such as Munich, The Bourne Ultimatum, Body of Lies, From The Rough, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, Septembers of Shiraz, The Algerian, and Lonely Planet. He has also appeared in television productions including Law & Order, CSI: NY, NCIS: Los Angeles, Chicago P.D., Hawaii Five-0, SEAL Team, The Equalizer, and The Rookie.

Beyond acting, Youcef has developed a reputation for Arabic-language voice work and has participated in interfaith projects. His background, multilingual abilities, and experience with Middle Eastern cultures have also helped him take on work that extends beyond traditional acting roles.

Quick Facts About Ben Youcef

Who Is Ben Youcef?

Ben Youcef is an Algerian-born actor who established himself in the international entertainment industry after training in theater and working in modeling before moving further into film and television. His professional identity has expanded over time, with credits that include acting, writing, producing, and voice work.

He is particularly recognizable for roles in productions involving international settings and Middle Eastern characters. However, his work has not been limited to one type of role. His filmography includes dramas, action projects, television procedurals, thrillers, and contemporary streaming productions.

Youcef also attracted considerable public attention through his long-term relationship with American television chef and author Sandra Lee. The couple began dating in 2021, became engaged, and remained together for several years before ending their relationship in 2026.

How Old Is Ben Youcef?

Ben Youcef is 47 years old in 2026. He was born on February 19, 1979, in Algiers, Algeria. His birth name is listed as Abdulwahab Benyoucef, while he has professionally used the shorter name Ben Youcef.

Because his birthday falls on February 19, his 47th birthday occurred earlier in 2026.

Where Was Ben Youcef Born?

Ben Youcef was born in Algiers, Algeria. Public biographical information describes him as having been raised in Saudi Arabia and later educated in London. His international upbringing became an important part of his professional identity, particularly as his acting career developed around characters and stories connected with different cultures.

His background also helped distinguish him in an industry where authentic knowledge of language and culture can be valuable for international productions.

Ben Youcef’s Early Life and Education

Details about Youcef’s childhood and family life are relatively limited compared with those of mainstream Hollywood stars. Public biographies describe him as the son of a diplomat and note that his early years included time in Saudi Arabia. He later studied theater in London, giving him a foundation in performance before moving into professional entertainment.

No consistently documented public record identifies a specific university or degree program, so it is more accurate to describe his education as theater training in London rather than attribute a particular qualification to him.

His international upbringing appears to have influenced his ability to work across cultural and linguistic boundaries. He has spoken about the importance of teachers and mentors in his development as an actor, including theater instructors and professionals who helped him understand the demands of the entertainment business.

How Did Ben Youcef Start His Career?

Ben Youcef’s career developed through several stages rather than beginning immediately with major Hollywood roles. His theater training was followed by work as a model in New York, where he reportedly worked with major fashion brands including Gucci, Armani, Donna Karan, Hugo Boss, and H&M.

Modeling provided exposure to the entertainment and fashion industries, but acting became the more significant part of his long-term career.

His breakthrough period included a role in Steven Spielberg’s 2005 film Munich. Youcef has been described in biographical material as having been discovered by Spielberg in connection with the production.

Following Munich, he continued building credits in both film and television.

Ben Youcef’s Acting Career

Youcef’s acting career spans more than two decades and includes a mixture of major films, independent productions, television dramas, and guest appearances.

Among his early film credits were Munich, The Bourne Ultimatum, and Body of Lies. These projects helped establish him as a performer capable of working in internationally themed productions.

Television subsequently became another important part of his résumé. He appeared in Law & Order, CSI: NY, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Chicago P.D., among other series. Later credits include Hawaii Five-0, SEAL Team, and The Equalizer.

His television work demonstrates how his career evolved from occasional film roles into recurring appearances and guest roles across well-known American series.

What Movies Has Ben Youcef Worked In?

Ben Youcef has worked in numerous films, although the size of his roles varies from leading performances to supporting and uncredited appearances.

Some notable film credits include:

Recent film credits listed for Youcef include Lonely Planet, F1: The Movie, Marty Supreme, and Roofman. Several of these later appearances are smaller or uncredited roles, so they should not be described as starring performances.

Ben Youcef in From The Rough

One of Youcef’s more substantial acting performances came in From The Rough, where he played Bassam opposite Taraji P. Henson and Michael Clarke Duncan.

The film tells the inspirational story of Catana Starks, a college golf coach who recruited players from different backgrounds. Youcef’s character, Bassam, is a French-Algerian student who develops a relationship with Starks and becomes part of the film’s broader story about opportunity, personal growth, and redemption.

For the role, Youcef had to learn golf because he had previously played sports such as tennis and soccer rather than golf. He discussed the preparation for the role in an interview, explaining that he practiced intensively before filming began.

The performance is also significant because it moved him away from some of the stereotypical roles he had frequently encountered in post-9/11 American productions.

Ben Youcef and The Algerian

The Algerian is arguably one of the most personally significant projects in Ben Youcef’s career because he was involved both in front of and behind the camera.

Released in 2014, the political thriller follows Ali, played by Youcef, as he moves between Algeria and the United States while becoming caught between an extremist mission and relationships that challenge his worldview.

Youcef was credited as an actor, writer, and co-executive producer on the project. Giovanni Zelko directed the film and co-wrote the story with Youcef.

In discussing the project, Youcef explained that its central idea grew from questions surrounding the September 11 attacks and the possibility of a fictional additional participant whose relationships with ordinary people might force him to reconsider his mission. He described the production as a major learning experience because he was involved in the filmmaking process from development through production.

The film was shot across several locations, including New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Algiers.

Ben Youcef’s Television Work

Television has remained an important part of Youcef’s career. His credits include several recognizable American series.

Some of his television appearances include:

• Law & Order
• CSI: NY
• NCIS: Los Angeles
• Chicago P.D.
• Hawaii Five-0
• SEAL Team
• The Equalizer
• The Rookie

His SEAL Team credits include the character Zied Al-Haqqan in two episodes, while he appeared as Omar Hassan on Hawaii Five-0. In Chicago P.D., he played Officer Frank Toma.

In 2026, Youcef also appeared in The Rookie as Kadeer Gasmi.

These appearances show that his television career has continued into the current decade rather than being limited to his earlier work.

Ben Youcef’s Voice and Language Work

Acting is not the only area in which Youcef has contributed to entertainment productions. He has also worked in voice and additional dialogue roles, particularly where Arabic-language performance and cultural familiarity are useful.

Biographical information associated with his professional career describes him as fluent in Arabic and experienced with multiple Arabic dialects. His voice work has included major entertainment properties, including Call of Duty and X-Men: Apocalypse.

This part of his career is particularly notable because voice and language work can be less visible to audiences than on-screen acting. It nevertheless gives performers with specialized linguistic knowledge a different route into major film, television, and video-game productions.

Ben Youcef and His Call to Prayer

Another distinctive part of Youcef’s public career has been his performance of the Islamic call to prayer, known as the adhan.

In 2011, he performed the call to prayer as part of a presentation of Philip Glass’s Powaqqatsi at the Hollywood Bowl. The performance was reviewed positively by the Los Angeles Times, which described his contribution as particularly powerful within the larger event.

Youcef has also participated in interfaith activities involving Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities. His public discussion of the adhan emphasized its religious purpose while also presenting it as an opportunity for cultural understanding.

This work helps explain why his public profile extends beyond conventional Hollywood acting.

Is Ben Youcef Married?

Ben Youcef was previously married, but he is not currently married. His divorce from his former wife was finalized in November 2022.

His former marriage produced twin children. Public reporting identifies him as a father of twins, and in 2026 he said that raising his children remained one of his priorities.

Because details about his children are personal, the most relevant publicly documented information is simply that he has twins and remains involved in their lives.

Who Is Ben Youcef’s Former Fiancée?

Ben Youcef’s best-known public relationship in recent years was with Sandra Lee, the American television chef, author, and lifestyle personality.

The pair first met as friends at a restaurant in Santa Monica in 2021. Their relationship became romantic later that year, and they subsequently became engaged. They appeared publicly together at entertainment and charity events and shared portions of their relationship through social media.

Their relationship received substantial attention because Lee was already a well-known television personality, while Youcef had built his own career primarily as an actor and producer.

What Happened Between Ben Youcef and Sandra Lee?

Ben Youcef and Sandra Lee ended their relationship and engagement in April 2026 after approximately five years together. Representatives for Lee confirmed the breakup on April 22, 2026.

The couple had previously appeared to be planning a future together. Youcef’s divorce from his previous marriage was finalized in November 2022, and the pair continued to travel and spend time together afterward.

Following the breakup, Youcef described the relationship as an important chapter of his life and said that he was concentrating on his acting career and raising his twins.

As of September 2026, Sandra Lee is therefore best described as Ben Youcef’s former fiancée rather than his current partner.

Does Ben Youcef Have Children?

Yes. Ben Youcef is a father of twins from his previous marriage.

His children were born in December 2015, and they have occasionally appeared in publicly shared family moments involving their father. In 2022, Sandra Lee spent part of the Christmas holiday with Youcef and his twins, marking an important moment in their relationship.

In 2026, Youcef also publicly described raising his twins as an important part of his life while discussing the end of his engagement to Lee.

What Is Ben Youcef’s Net Worth?

Ben Youcef’s exact net worth has not been publicly confirmed by a sufficiently reliable financial source.

Although various entertainment and celebrity websites may publish numerical estimates, those figures should not be treated as verified unless they are supported by financial records or direct statements. His income has likely come from multiple professional activities, including acting, producing, writing, modeling, and voice work, but a dependable public valuation of his personal wealth is not available.

Where Is Ben Youcef Now?

As of 2026, Ben Youcef continues to be active professionally as an actor. His recent credits include appearances in The Rookie in 2026, while his recent film work includes F1: The Movie, Marty Supreme, and Roofman in 2025.

Following his split from Sandra Lee, Youcef has indicated that his focus is on continuing his acting career and raising his children.

His career remains broader than acting alone, however, with past work in producing, writing, voice performance, and culturally focused projects.

Ben Youcef’s Career Highlights

Several milestones stand out when looking at his career as a whole:

• He was born in Algiers and raised partly in Saudi Arabia.
• He studied theater in London.
• He worked as a model in New York before establishing himself primarily as an actor.
• He appeared in Steven Spielberg’s Munich.
• He built television credits through series including Law & Order, CSI: NY, NCIS: Los Angeles, Chicago P.D., Hawaii Five-0, and SEAL Team.
• He starred in The Algerian and also contributed to the project as a writer and producer.
• He appeared opposite Taraji P. Henson in From The Rough.
• He has contributed Arabic-language voice work to major entertainment productions.
• He performed the call to prayer during a Hollywood Bowl presentation of Powaqqatsi.
• His recent screen credits have extended into the 2025–2026 period.

FAQs About Ben Youcef

Who is Ben Youcef?

Ben Youcef is an Algerian actor, writer, producer, and voice performer. Born Abdulwahab Benyoucef in Algiers in 1979, he is known for films including Munich, From The Rough, and The Algerian, as well as television appearances in Law & Order, CSI: NY, Chicago P.D., SEAL Team, and The Rookie.

How old is Ben Youcef?

Ben Youcef is 47 years old as of 2026. He was born on February 19, 1979, in Algiers, Algeria. His birthday occurred earlier in the year, making him 47 in September 2026.

Where is Ben Youcef from?

Ben Youcef is from Algiers, Algeria. Public biographies state that he was born in Algiers and raised in Saudi Arabia before studying theater in London. His international background has played a significant role in his acting and language-related work.

Who is Ben Youcef’s wife?

Ben Youcef is not currently married. He was previously married, and his divorce was finalized in November 2022. He later became engaged to television chef Sandra Lee, but their engagement ended in April 2026.

Who is Ben Youcef’s former fiancée?

Ben Youcef’s former fiancée is Sandra Lee, the American television chef and author. The couple began dating in 2021 and became engaged the same year. They remained together for roughly five years before their engagement and relationship ended in April 2026.

Does Ben Youcef have children?

Yes. Ben Youcef has twin children from his previous marriage. Public reporting has documented his role as a father, and in 2026 he said that raising his twins was an important personal priority.

What movies is Ben Youcef known for?

Ben Youcef has appeared in Munich, The Bourne Ultimatum, Body of Lies, From The Rough, The Algerian, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, Septembers of Shiraz, and Lonely Planet, among other productions. His more recent credits include F1: The Movie, Marty Supreme, and Roofman.

What is Ben Youcef’s net worth?

Ben Youcef’s exact net worth has not been publicly confirmed by a reliable financial source. While online estimates may exist, they should be treated as speculative rather than established financial facts. His professional income has come from acting and other entertainment-related work, including producing, writing, modeling, and voice performance.

What does Ben Youcef do now?

As of 2026, Ben Youcef remains active as an actor. His recent credits include The Rookie in 2026 and several films released or credited in 2025. He has also said that he is focused on developing his acting career while raising his twin children.

Is Ben Youcef Algerian?

Yes. Ben Youcef was born in Algiers, Algeria, and is identified in public biographical records as Algerian. His Algerian background is also closely connected to his work in The Algerian and his broader involvement with Arabic-language and culturally focused entertainment projects.

Conclusion

Ben Youcef has built a distinctive career that combines acting, theater, modeling, writing, producing, and voice performance. From his early life in Algeria and Saudi Arabia to theater studies in London and his eventual work in Hollywood, his career has developed across multiple countries and entertainment fields.

He is known for projects such as Munich, From The Rough, and The Algerian, along with numerous television appearances and recent film credits. His relationship with Sandra Lee also brought significant public attention, but that engagement ended in 2026. Today, Youcef remains focused on his acting career and his role as a father, making his professional journey and personal story subjects of continued public interest.