EastEnders’ Ali Osman star unrecognisable 35 years since quitting soap and getting unlikely role

ok.co.uk:

True EastEnders fans will always remember Ali Osman. Nejdet Adamson, who was part of the iconic original lineup of the beloved British soap, took on the role and became a familiar face in Walford over 35 years ago before he dashed off to pursue his Hollywood dreams.

Post-EastEnders life saw Nejdet embracing a remarkable shift from Walford to Hollywood, scooping up a part as a short sailor in the blockbuster hits Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and its sequel Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006).

During his stretch in Albert Square, Ali navigated through harrowing plots involving marital breakdowns, grief over losing a child, and a troubling gambling addiction - his character echoing the everyday Londoner.

No one could have predicted that the actor behind the down-to-earth local of Albert Square would switch to swashbuckling on the high seas as a pirate in a massive movie franchise, reports MyLondon.The transformation is incredibly surprising, especially with whispers that the now 66 year old star had faced tough times securing acting gigs post-EastEnders.