When Rami Malek became the first actor of Arab heritage to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2019, it was a watershed moment not just for the rising star, but for an industry where Middle Eastern representation has long been confined to narrow stereotypes. With his captivating portrayal of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, Malek shattered barriers and preconceptions—much as he’s done throughout his remarkable career.
An Outsider in Hollywood
Born to Egyptian immigrant parents in Los Angeles, Malek’s childhood was steeped in his cultural heritage. Arabic was his first language, and his upbringing revolved around the close-knit Coptic Orthodox community. “I didn’t speak English until I was five or six,” he reveals in a rare interview. Despite being born in the heart of the entertainment industry, young Rami often felt like an outsider.
“I’m what’s called ‘white passing’, but I have very distinctive features, and we definitely didn’t fit in,” Malek reflects on growing up in Sherman Oaks in the 1990s. He and his identical twin brother Sami, now a teacher, developed keen instincts to navigate an environment where their Middle Eastern background made them stand out. That sense of being different, of constantly assessing situations and people, is something Malek admits he’s never quite shaken off.
A Rebellious Streak
Before discovering his passion for acting, Malek channeled his restless energy into teenage rebellion. Without divulging details, he alludes to a wild phase of doing “very naughty, naughty things” with Sami. One incident even landed him on the hood of a police car after being mistaken for a robbery suspect because he “fit the description” of a Latin male. It’s an experience that underscores the prejudice and profiling Malek faced long before red carpets and accolades came his way.
We did some very naughty things. You have no idea what my mum has been through. As much as it would be fun to tell you, I probably won’t be allowed to enter this country.
– Rami Malek on his rebellious youth
Finding His Calling
Malek’s path to acting was somewhat accidental. A stint on the high school debate team revealed his natural flair for drama, much to the chagrin of his father, who hoped Rami would pursue a more conventional career like law. But with the quiet determination that would later define his acting, Malek threw himself into chasing his newfound dream.
The early years were lean, with a pizza delivery job and shifts at a falafel shop subsidizing countless auditions. The roles that did come his way often played into Middle Eastern stereotypes—unnamed terrorists or characters relegated to the trunk of a car. But Malek never wavered, steadily building his resume with minor parts until his breakout role as the lead in the critically acclaimed TV drama Mr Robot in 2015.
Becoming Freddie Mercury
It was his bravura performance as Queen’s legendary lead singer in Bohemian Rhapsody that catapulted Malek to global stardom and made Hollywood history. To embody the flamboyant rocker, Malek underwent a stunning transformation that showcased his chameleonic abilities and meticulous work ethic.
From recreating Mercury’s distinctive gait and mannerisms to capturing his onstage magnetism, Malek’s total immersion in the role exemplifies his approach to acting. He took singing and piano lessons, worked with a movement coach, and even had prosthetic teeth made to mimic Mercury’s famous overbite. The result was a performance that Malek says “didn’t feel like acting, it felt like being.”
Paying It Forward
Malek’s meteoric rise has given him a platform to broaden perceptions and create opportunities for fellow Middle Eastern actors. Acutely aware of the challenges he once faced, Rami uses his influence to push for more diverse and nuanced representation both in front of and behind the camera.
His own production company is focused on championing underrepresented voices and stories. Offscreen, he’s an active advocate for greater inclusivity in Hollywood, working with organizations like the MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition to combat negative stereotypes and improve access for artists of Middle Eastern and North African descent.
That a man with a father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas could become president was one of the most hopeful moments of the American dream. Now that’s been flipped on its head.
– Malek on the importance of representation
The Road Ahead
Fresh off his villainous turn in the James Bond film No Time to Die, Malek’s star continues to ascend. He’s set to make his London West End debut in a bold reinterpretation of the Greek tragedy Oedipus in 2025, a role he says he’s “always wanted to investigate” for its complex themes of identity and destiny—subjects Malek knows intimately.
As he reflects on his improbable journey from the streets of Sherman Oaks to the pinnacle of his profession, Malek marvels at the sacrifices of his immigrant parents who “made this extraordinary pilgrimage to America to investigate the possibilities.” Their legacy drives him still, a first-generation success story etched in talent, perseverance, and raw authenticity.
In an industry where artifice often reigns, Rami Malek’s quiet intensity feels bracingly real—a rare actor who’s not afraid to show his cracks and contradictions. And as he continues to shatter ceilings and subvert expectations, one groundbreaking role at a time, Malek is redefining not just what a leading man looks like, but what one can be.
