Rami Malek has carved out a name for himself as one of the most fascinating actors in Hollywood right now. A big part of his appeal? He’s got a look and voice that you don’t forget. Whether he’s playing a rock legend or a spy, there’s something about him that just pulls you in. But beyond the red carpets and award speeches, Malek has a rich cultural background that plays a huge role in who he is.
What is Rami Malek’s ethnicity?
Rami was born in Los Angeles in 1981, but his story starts a bit further east—Cairo, Egypt, to be exact. His parents, Said and Nelly Malek were Egyptian immigrants who moved to the U.S. in search of a better life. Rami has also mentioned having a touch of Greek heritage, saying he’s “about one-eighth Greek.”
At home, the Malek household was full of culture. Rami grew up speaking Egyptian Arabic and was raised in the Coptic Orthodox Christian faith, a religion with ancient Egyptian roots. Even though he grew up in America, he’s never felt distant from his background—in fact, quite the opposite.
If there’s one thing Rami makes clear, it’s that he’s proudly and unapologetically Egyptian. He doesn’t sugarcoat or qualify it—he’s said flat out, “I am Egyptian.” He often speaks with deep affection for his heritage, saying it’s not just where his family comes from, but a part of who he is at his core.
In his moving 2019 Oscars speech—when he won Best Actor for Bohemian Rhapsody—Rami said he was “the son of Egyptian immigrants” and a “first-generation American.” He described his journey as one that’s still unfolding, but deeply shaped by where he comes from.
Rami comes from a tight-knit family. His dad, Said, worked as a travel agent and later sold insurance. Sadly, he passed away in 2006. His mom, Nelly, was an accountant and has always been one of his biggest supporters—she was even there beaming at the Bohemian Rhapsody premiere, cheering him on.
Rami isn’t an only child—he’s got two siblings. His older sister, Yasmine, is a doctor. And fun fact: he has a twin brother, Sami, who’s just four minutes younger and works as a teacher. Growing up, the twins were known to cause a little trouble—Rami once even pretended to be Sami to help him out with a college assignment. A little sneak peek of the acting chops to come!
Growing up Egyptian-American in Los Angeles wasn’t always easy. Rami has shared that he sometimes felt out of place or faced discrimination because of his background. But instead of letting that bring him down, he says it made him tougher and more determined. That fire helped him chase big dreams—even ones that led to the Oscars stage.
He’s even said he’d be interested in acting in Egyptian films and would be willing to brush up on his Arabic for the right role. (He spoke it fluently until around the age of four.)
Rami often credits his family for being his rock. He’s called them the “foundation” of his success, and he’s known to bring them along to big award shows. His dad once told him to do something “special” with his life—and clearly, he took that to heart.
Just recently, in April 2025, Rami appeared on Good Morning America to promote his new movie, The Amateur. His mom stole the spotlight, and he couldn’t stop beaming. On live TV, he gave her a sweet shoutout, thanking her for always being by his side.
