Renowned Lebanese actor Antoine Kerbage passed away on Sunday, March 16, at the age of 90, after spending his final years in a Beirut hospital, battling Alzheimer’s disease, which had robbed him of his memories.
Born in 1935 in the village of Zabbougha, in the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Kerbage embarked on his artistic journey in the early 1960s. He joined the Institute of Modern Theatre, affiliated with the Baalbek International Festival Committee, under the direction of Mounir Abu Debs, marking the beginning of a distinguished career in theatre and television.
Kerbage was celebrated for his commanding presence and ability to portray complex, multi-dimensional characters. He played pivotal roles in several iconic Rahbani Brothers plays, bringing to life unforgettable characters such as Fatak the Authoritarian in The Flint Mountains, King Gibbon in The Key Keeper, The Governor in Saha Al Nom, The Roman Commander in Petra, and Al Yuzbashi Assaf in Summer 840.
Beyond the stage, Kerbage left an indelible mark on television drama, seamlessly transitioning between villainous and heroic roles. His portrayal of Jean Valjean in the 1974 adaptation of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables remains one of his most celebrated performances, showcasing his remarkable depth as an actor.
With a career spanning over six decades, Antoine Kerbage’s legacy endures as a cornerstone of Lebanese theatre and television, his performances immortalized in the hearts of audiences across the Arab world.
Kerbage’s television career was marked by a diverse range of series, spanning both popular productions and adaptations of literary works. Among his notable performances was Diala, in which he starred alongside the late Lebanese singer Hind Abi Al Lamaa, as well as “For Whom the Birds Sing” and “Leaves of Bitter Time”, where he shared the screen with Mona Wassef and Julia Boutros.
In 1979, he headlined the historical drama “Berber Agha”, a series written by Antoine Ghandour, directed by Bassem Nasr, and produced for Lebanon TV.
On stage, Kerbage brought to life some of the most iconic characters in world literature, including Macbeth in William Shakespeare and Orestes in Jean-Paul Sartre’s The Flies.
Beyond his contributions as an actor, he also played a pivotal role in advocating for Lebanese artists, serving as Chairman of the Lebanese Actors Syndicate from 2005 to 2009.
