Whenhewassevenyearsold,hisfamilymovedfromSomaliatoYementoescapethecivilwar.HisfamilymovedtoMinneapolis,Minnesotawhenhewasage14. WasworkingasachauffeurwhenhewascastinCaptainPhillips(2013).Hehadnopreviousactingexperienceoranyaspirationstobecomeanactor.