He put in such a good performance(probably the best in an otherwise mediocre cast) that for the longest time I thought he was Arab. It wasn’t until I saw him in other movies that I found out he was from Rochester, NY.
sharei know he not arab because arab have very distinct face characteristic. distinct eyes.
however robert forster give great performance.
today he be cancelled for casting white man as arab actor, but film in 1980s understoods that priotity is getting good actor to play part, even if it mean bending race slight. you buy him as arab because he so good an actor. today they cast riz ahmed in role and he stink out the joint.