Rami Malek

Cast

Born

May 12, 1981 · Los Angeles, California, USA

Birth name

Rami Said Malek

“I'm drawn to projects where I play these really complicated characters, but also where I can have some type of influence on affecting what we see as societal norms.” Rami Malek is an American actor known for his versatility and screen presence. Born in Los Angeles to Egyptian immigrant parents, he developed an interest in acting during high school. After graduating with a degree in theater from the University of Evansville, he spent a semester at Harlaxton College in England while struggling to land his first role, which came with an episode of Gilmore Girls (2004). He soon made his film debut as Pharaoh Ahkmenrah in Night at the Museum (2006), a role he reprised in its sequels. His breakthrough came with his portrayal of young hacker Elliot Alderson in Mr. Robot (2015–2019), a performance that earned him an Emmy and two Golden Globes. He gained worldwide recognition for his transformation into Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. He later appeared as the villain Safin in No Time to Die (2021), and had roles in Oppenheimer (2023) and The Amateur (2024). Malek is an advocate for diversity in media and the arts, and with a career marked by intense roles, he has established himself as one of the most prominent actors of his generation.