Abdul "Tony" Shawkat is a native of Iraq having come to the United States in 1978. In 1998 his daughter, Alia Shawkat, and he were both cast in the film "Three Kings" directed by David O. Russell. Shawkat was also an advisor on Iraqi language and culture to director Russell on the film. The film spawned an acting career for Alia ("Arrested Development") and he and his wife, Dina Burke, managed her career for many years. He has produced the feature "Vlad" starring Billy Zane and Brad Dourf, filmed on location in Romania. He also produced "Bart Got A Room" starring William H. Macy and Cheryl Hines and is Executive Producer of the feature film "The Romantics" starring Katie Holmes. He is also producer and director of a documentary on the mushroom collection in Romania. He sponsored a soccer tournament in Iraq in 2006, during the heart of sectarian violence, bringing young soccer players together from all parts of Baghdad, with the help of previous Iraqi National coach, Ammo Babba, before he passed away.
He lives in Rancho Mirage with his wife, Dina Burke, and their three children.
