Biography
Little did Omar know that this reality series would serve as a major catalyst in a new career path. On January 5, 2008, Omar embarked for Lagos, Nigeria to be one out of 18 contestants worldwide to compete for a purse of car, a lucrative salaried contract, and $200,000 cash. Personally, this was the fire Omar needed to reignite his passion for acting. Previously, a professional child star, Omar had worked on the sets of several projects, including a recurring role in Father and Son in which he played a street bully. But over the years he left entertainment to work as a consultant with the World Bank where he excelled as a liaison between the organization and international leaders and dignitaries from all over the globe. But now with an 8 month stint in Africa, his fate was sealed and he took the leap as a full-time working actor. Although Omar did not win, he came home with a rich experience in television and gained much international exposure for his sharp, witty commentaries during the show. Participating on the Apprentice experience brought Omar back home to his ancestral roots in Guinea, Conakry West Africa. As a first generation African/ African-American, it was a pleasure for Omar to visit his parents who divided the year between stays in Guinea and their home in the United States. Moreover, during his visit Omar participated in numerous media interviews with various national newspapers, radio interviews and even a television documentary on his exploits on The Apprentice. The documentary was aired throughout the entire continent. Post Apprentice, Omar found his way back to the stage. He completed the Negro Ensemble Company’s Intensive acting training program, joining a prestigious alumnus including Denzel Washington, Adolph Ceasar, Samuel Jackson, Arthur French, Douglas Ward, Barbara Montgomery, Phylicia Allen-Ayers Rashad, Roxie Roker, Ester Rolle, Ester Bailey, and many others. He performed at the National Black Theatre festival and historic Lincoln Theatre, regional commercials and industrials in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. There is no doubt that Omar’s childhood dreams have resurfaced in adulthood with a vengeance. THE EARLY DAYS Omar’s introduction to acting started when he was cast in a Gilbert and Sullivan play at the age of 8 years old while attending a prestigious boarding school in New England. His participation in school theatre productions continued throughout the years in other boarding schools across the United States. In the 9th grade, Omar attended the Interlochen Performing School of Arts in Interlochen, Michigan where he majored in acting and minored in voice. As a professional child actor, Omar Bah had worked on the sets of several projects, including Father and Son -a PBS Production in which he played a street bully and a number of commercials including D.C. Keno Lottery. In addition, Omar performed in over a dozen stage plays, including Elephant Man, Noises Off, and Master Harold and the Boys. As with most parents, especially West African politically-minded parents, Omar was compelled by family to look at careers with a future as they would call it. Upon entering Goizueta Business School at Emory University in Atlanta, GA in 1993, it seemed that the dream of acting was just about to be extinguished. Omar went onto to receive two masters (one MBA and a Masters in International management) at the University of Maryland. Upon graduation Omar worked the gamut from The White House, Office of the United States Representative for Africa, to ExxonMobil, to US Dept. of Commerce, Office of Finance and Countertrade to the Corporate Council on Africa, and finally to the World Bank in Washington, D.C. Omar did however have the opportunity to work behind the scenes in Los Angeles. He gained extensive knowledge of television production through his experiences. In his humble beginnings, Omar proudly wore the CBS page red jacket while working on The Price Is Right with none other than Bob Barker. Omar then seized an opportunity to work as a Production Assistant for Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher. In addition, he freelanced on the TV shows of Dennis Miller Live, the Bold and the Beautiful, and the Young and the Restless at CBS (Beverly Drive) Television Center in Los Angeles, CA. Since then, he has received a variety of acting training in Improv, stage combat, monologue readings, voice-over, and on-camera classes. Omar has a total of 10 years of acting experience including childhood work experiences. THE PRESENT Omar is now training with The Negro Ensemble Company (NEC) in New York City. He will be performing in “Bud and Monk” for the 2009 NEC December showcase. Omar continues to hone his acting skills in various ongoing acting training programs as well as audition across the board in Film, Television, and Theatre. THE FUTURE More auditions, more call backs, more bookings and more gigs! MISCELLANEOUS Languages: English, French, and conversational Spanish |
After a grueling interview process on Washington, D.C’s K Street by NBC-Universal’s casting including Omarosa of The Apprentice Africa franchise, Omar received a phone call on a cold December day, saying “Congratulations! You have been selected for the “The Apprentice Africa”.