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Christopher Maher
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Christopher Maher (born as Maher Boutros; born 1955) is an American film and television actor, as well as a chef.[citation needed]
Key Information
Background
[edit]Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Maher's family moved to Toronto in the 1960s. He started pre-med studies but changed to acting at the University of Toronto. Arriving in New York in 1978, he studied acting further at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.[1][2]
Maher worked at Tavern on the Green, where he met Drew Nieporent.[1][2]
He broke into Entertainment with a year-long role as assassin Colonel Hashim on Another World.[1][2]
Career
[edit]Acting
[edit]In 1982, Maher moved to Los Angeles to pursue motion-picture roles. He changed his name from Maher Boutros to Christopher Maher. "I was typecast as a dumb Arab or a bad Arab, one or the other. It depressed me, and I just refused to do any more."[1][2]
He has appeared in feature films and television episodes from Taxi and Hill Street Blues to Law and Order, 24, The West Wing and NCIS. He was in the film Olive, in which he starred with Gena Rowlands.
Cooking
[edit]Maher was also recognized by the James Beard Foundation as one of the great regional chefs of America and has cooked at the Beard House in New York City.
He runs a cooking school called "Cooking Studio Taos" plus natural and organic food venture in Taos.[3] The food products are sold under the name "Caleb&Milo", named after their two sons. They sell their products in whole food markets and other gourmet markets.
Personal
[edit]Maher lives in Taos, New Mexico, where he runs a cooking school called "Cooking Studio Taos" with wife Valerie[1][2] [3]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Best Defense | Sayyid, Landry's Tank Crew | |
| 1987 | Mannequin | Armand | |
| 1989 | Pucker Up and Bark Like a Dog | Emile | |
| 1996 | Executive Decision | Kahlil | |
| 2002 | Enough | Phil | |
| 2004 | The West Wing | Iranian ambassador | |
| 2009 | The Men Who Stare at Goats | Iraqi Driver | |
| 2011 | Olive | Cyrus |
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Christopher Maher at IMDb
- Cooking Studio Taos: bio
Christopher Maher
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and education
Childhood and family background
Christopher Maher was born Maher Boutros in Alexandria, Egypt, to a family of Egyptian heritage.[1][6] His family relocated to Toronto, Canada, during his early years, where he grew up immersed in a blend of Egyptian and Canadian cultures.[7] From a young age in Egypt, Maher spent time in the kitchen observing his mother and grandmother, exceptional cooks whose techniques introduced him to rich Mediterranean flavors and ignited his lifelong passion for culinary arts.[6]Education and early training
Maher initially pursued a career in medicine, enrolling in pre-medical studies at the University of Toronto in the early 1970s. After completing two years of coursework, he shifted his focus to a liberal arts program in his third year, where an acting class ignited his passion for performance; during his first rehearsal, he declared, “I’m going to be doing this for the rest of my life.”[8] Determined to advance his skills, Maher relocated to New York City in 1978 and enrolled at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. There, he underwent intensive training under the influential acting coach Sanford Meisner, honing techniques that emphasized authentic emotional response in performance.[8] To make ends meet during this period, Maher secured employment at the renowned Tavern on the Green restaurant in Central Park, beginning as a waiter before transitioning to assist the garde-manger chefs in the kitchen. It was here that he encountered Drew Nieporent, an aspiring restaurateur who became a mentor, introducing Maher to the rigors of professional kitchen operations and fostering his burgeoning interest in culinary arts.[8] Maher's formal acting training culminated in his professional debut with a year-long recurring role as the villainous assassin Colonel Hashim on the daytime soap opera Another World in 1982, marking his entry into television and establishing him as a character actor capable of portraying complex antagonists.[8]Professional career
Acting career
In 1982, Christopher Maher relocated to Los Angeles to pursue opportunities in film and television, legally changing his name from Maher Boutros to Christopher Maher to better suit his professional aspirations in Hollywood.[8] This move marked the beginning of his transition from stage work in New York to screen acting, where he initially faced typecasting in roles portraying Middle Eastern characters.[8] Maher's early career featured guest appearances on prominent television series, including roles in Taxi in 1982, Hill Street Blues during the 1980s, and Law & Order in 2004.[2] He gained notice through supporting parts in feature films, such as Sayyid in Best Defense (1984), Armand in Mannequin (1987), Kahlil in Executive Decision (1996), and Phil in Enough (2002).[2] Later, he appeared in high-profile shows like 24 in the 2000s, The West Wing in the 2000s, and NCIS in 2006.[2] By the 2010s, Maher had amassed over 100 episodic television appearances and around 20 feature film credits, establishing a steady presence in the industry.[9] His last notable roles came in 2014 with guest spots on Legends and State of Affairs, after which he appears to have largely stepped back from acting, suggesting a semi-retirement to focus on other pursuits as of 2025.[10] Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Maher balanced his acting commitments with emerging culinary interests, often managing restaurant shifts and catering jobs between shoots to support himself financially.[8]Culinary career
Maher began his culinary career through on-the-job training in New York City, where he worked as a waiter and kitchen staff at the prestigious Tavern on the Green restaurant in [Central Park](/page/Central Park) during the late 1970s.[1] This experience laid the foundation for his professional development, blending practical skills with an appreciation for diverse flavors influenced by his Egyptian heritage.[8] In the 1980s and 1990s, while pursuing acting in Los Angeles, Maher operated multiple food businesses to support himself, launching a catering company in 1990 and opening three restaurants in 1991.[5] These ventures focused on fresh, regional ingredients and allowed him to experiment with fusion concepts, though specifics on the establishments remain limited in public records. His culinary pursuits during this period earned him growing acclaim, culminating in recognition from the James Beard Foundation in 2005 as one of America's great regional chefs, following an invitation to cook at the James Beard House in New York City.[5] This honor highlighted his innovative approach to blending global influences, particularly Middle Eastern elements drawn from his childhood in Alexandria, Egypt.[11] Captivated by Taos, New Mexico, after a visit in 1989, Maher relocated full-time in 1999, purchasing and renovating a historic building in Arroyo Seco to establish his fine-dining restaurant, Momentitos de la Vida.[5] The restaurant quickly gained prestige, receiving seven consecutive AAA Four Diamond Awards for its fusion of New Mexican and international cuisines.[5] In 1999, he and his wife, Valerie, founded Cooking Studio Taos in the same space, shifting focus to hands-on education while selling Momentitos de la Vida in 2005.[1][5] In the 2010s, the couple introduced Caleb & Milo, an organic food line of salsas, sauces, and spreads emphasizing sustainable, local sourcing—named after their sons—and distributed through retailers like Whole Foods before selling the brand in 2014.[5][12] Today, Cooking Studio Taos serves as Maher's primary platform, offering hands-on cooking classes for groups from individuals to 35 or more, covering cuisines like New Mexican, Italian, French, and Middle Eastern fusion.[13] These sessions, lasting about five hours, emphasize practical skills and end with a shared meal, accommodating all experience levels.[13] Maher also provides private chef services for catered events using organic, local ingredients in fine-dining style, alongside monthly Secret Suppers—pop-up, five-course farm-to-table dinners at undisclosed Taos locations that foster community connections.[14][15] The studio supports corporate team-building through collaborative classes where small teams prepare gourmet meals, incorporating motivational elements from Maher's acting background.[13] Gift certificates for classes and events are available as of 2025, enhancing accessibility for Taos's culinary scene.[13] Through these initiatives, Maher has impacted the local community by promoting sustainable practices, cultural exchange, and education, while balancing his ongoing acting commitments.[16] Looking ahead, Maher plans international culinary excursions for 2026, including immersions in Oaxaca, Mexico; Uruguay; Marrakech, Morocco; Carcassonne and Bordeaux, France; Kinsale and Cork, Ireland; and Aegina, Greece.[17] These week-long trips, started in 2018, combine cooking classes, cultural tours, and meals led by Maher, focusing on global fusion inspired by his Egyptian roots.[5][18]Personal life
Family and relationships
Maher is married to Valerie Maher, his longtime business and life partner, whom he met at his restaurant in Taos during one of her visits to the area.[5] The couple's exact marriage date remains private, though their shared passion for culinary arts has been a cornerstone of their relationship, leading to collaborative professional ventures.[16] Together, Maher and his wife co-founded the organic food products line Caleb & Milo, named after their two sons, Caleb and Milo, which they sold in 2014, underscoring their close partnership in both family and business life.[5] The family maintains a low public profile regarding their children, with the couple centering much of their joint life around their home and culinary pursuits in Taos, New Mexico.[12]Residence and hobbies
Christopher Maher has made his permanent residence in Taos, New Mexico, since the late 1990s, following initial vacations in the area that inspired him to relocate full-time.[1] He shares this home with his wife, Valerie, who assists in managing their daily life and culinary ventures. Maher maintains a part-time travel schedule to Toronto, Vancouver, and Los Angeles, driven by family connections, skiing opportunities, and occasional acting work.[2] An expert skier, he pursues the hobby recreationally in the Rocky Mountains region near Taos, balancing it with his active lifestyle.[2] In Taos, Maher engages with the local community through culinary events, such as his monthly Secret Suppers and hands-on cooking classes at Cooking Studio Taos, fostering social and gastronomic connections without delving into political or philanthropic roles.[16][5] As of 2025, his routine emphasizes active cooking demonstrations, outdoor pursuits like skiing, and selective acting projects, reflecting a harmonious blend of professional and personal interests.[19][20]Filmography
Film roles
Christopher Maher's film career spans several decades, with roles primarily in supporting capacities across action, comedy, and drama genres. His credits include a mix of comedic and antagonistic characters, often leveraging his distinctive presence.| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Best Defense | Sayyid (Landry's Tank Crew) | Minor role as a member of the tank crew in this comedy starring Dudley Moore and Eddie Murphy.[21] |
| 1987 | Mannequin | Armand | Comedic supporting role as a rival window dresser who humorously competes for the affection of the enchanted mannequin.[22] |
| 1989 | Pucker Up and Bark Like a Dog | Emile | Supporting role in this Canadian comedy-drama.[23] |
| 1996 | Executive Decision | Kahlil | Portrayed a terrorist hijacker in this action thriller directed by Stuart Baird, alongside Kurt Russell and Steven Seagal.[24] |
| 2002 | Enough | Phil | Played the abusive stepfather to the protagonist (Jennifer Lopez) in this thriller about domestic violence.[25] |
| 2009 | The Men Who Stare at Goats | Iraqi Driver | Minor role in this satirical comedy starring George Clooney and Ewan McGregor.[26] |
| 2011 | Olive | Cyrus | Supporting role in this independent drama featuring Gena Rowlands, centered on a mysterious child impacting lonely lives.[27] |
Television appearances
Maher's television career spans numerous guest and recurring roles, primarily in episodic dramas and procedurals from the late 1970s through the 2010s, where he often portrayed authority figures or characters of international origin. Since relocating to Los Angeles in 1981, he has amassed over 100 episodic television appearances, frequently cast in roles that leverage his Middle Eastern heritage and commanding presence.[10] These credits highlight his versatility in supporting parts on acclaimed series, and he has continued with selective projects into the 2010s alongside his culinary career.[2] The following table catalogs select notable television appearances in chronological order, emphasizing key guest and recurring roles:| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late 1970s | Another World | Colonel Hashim | Year-long recurring role as an assassin; soap opera debut in New York.[28][8] |
| 1982 | Taxi | The Indian | Guest appearance in episode "Alex Goes Off the Wagon" (Season 5, Episode 3).[29] |
| 1984 | Hill Street Blues | Kasim | Guest appearance in episode "Fuched Again" (Season 5, Episode 8).[30] |
| 1990s | Law & Order | Various | Multiple guest spots across episodes, often in authoritative or antagonistic international roles; specific credits include early procedural arcs.[31][32] |
| 2003 | 24 | Deputy Prime Minister Barghouti | Guest appearance in episode "Day 2: 11:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m." (Season 2, Episode 23).[33] |
| 2004 | The West Wing | Iranian Ambassador | Guest appearance in episode "The Warfare of Genghis Khan" (Season 5, Episode 13).[34] |
| 2004 | Law & Order | Qaadar Khaleel | Guest appearance in episode "Enemy" (Season 15, Episode 10), portraying an Afghan drug lord.[35] |
| 2006 | NCIS | Capt. Aris Mahir | Recurring guest in two-part episode "Hiatus" (Season 3, Episodes 23-24).[36] |
| 2008–2009 | Crash | Gustave | Recurring role in the drama series.[37] |
| 2010 | The Promised Land | Grandpa | Guest appearance.[38] |
| 2013 | Burn Notice | Dr. Omar Hamed | Guest appearance in episode "Bitter Pill" (Season 7, Episode 9).[39] |
| 2014 | Legends | Prince Fayeen | Guest appearances in episodes "Quicksand" and "Iconoclast" (Season 1, Episodes 7-8).[40][41] |