Zeeko Zaki
Zeeko Zaki | |
|---|---|
Zeeko Zaki at the Monte Carlo Television Festival | |
| Born | Zakaria Sherif Zaki January 18, 1990 |
| Nationality | Egyptian  American  |
| Alma mater | Temple University |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Model |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Notable work | FBI (TV series) |
Zakaria Sherif Zaki (born January 18, 1990), commonly known as Zeeko Zaki (Egyptian Arabic: زيكو زكي),[1][2] is an Egyptian-born American actor best known for his role portraying Special Agent Omar Adom "O. A." Zidan on Dick Wolf's FBI.[3]
Early life
Zaki was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and emigrated with his parents Emon and Sherif Zaki to the United States at one month of age. Zaki's maternal grandparents emigrated to the US before he and his parents arrived.[4] His extended family remained in Egypt. During his childhood Zaki spent summers in his hometown and his aunt has a villa in Agami Region where he and his relatives gather.[5] He grew up in West Chester, Pennsylvania. His mother manages a salon in Wilmington, Delaware and his father is a stylist. Zaki has two younger siblings, a brother, Zeyad and a sister, Zeina.[6]
Career
He discovered a passion for acting during his freshman year high school performance of Seussical at Unionville High School; he graduated from Unionville High School. He also acted in the community theatre group Unionville Players. He briefly attended Temple University.
In 2010 Zaki moved to North Carolina working in theater before auditioning for television roles. He appeared in bit part roles in various films and television series before landing recurring roles in Six and 24: Legacy, portraying antagonists, and in Valor, in which he portrayed a door gunner of a U.S. Army special operations aviation unit. Zaki was cast in his first lead role playing Agent Zidan in Dick Wolf's procedural show FBI. The role was originally written for a Latino actor but Wolf was impressed by Zaki's audition tape and changed the character's ethnicity to mirror Zaki's background.[7][8]
Zaki said that he wants to prove to the world that Muslims and Arabs aren't terrorists as is commonly believed.[9]
Personal life
Zaki is a Muslim[2][10][11] and he spoke Egyptian Arabic at home until the age of six.[10]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Homeland | Sergeant | 1 episode |
| Revolution | Militia Soldier | 1 episode | |
| 2013 | Under the Dome | Customer #2 | 1 episode |
| 2014 | The Game | Cameron | 1 episode |
| 2015 | Satisfaction | Russell | 2 episodes |
| 2016 | The Inspectors | Dario Resta | 1 episode |
| 2017 | Six | Akmal Barayev | Recurring character, 8 episodes |
| 24: Legacy | Hamid | Recurring character, 7 episodes | |
| The Night Shift | Duke | 2 episodes | |
| Daytime Divas | Cab Driver | 1 episode | |
| NCIS: Los Angeles | Aimon Shah | 3 episodes | |
| 2017–2018 | Valor | Staff Sergeant Matt Darzi | Recurring role |
| 2018–present | FBI | Omar Adom "OA" Zidan | Main role |
| 2020 | FBI: Most Wanted | Guest role | |
| 2021 | FBI: International | Guest role |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | The Therapy Session | Michael | short film |
| Stuck in Love | Gus | ||
| 2013 | Heart of the Country | Prisoner | |
| McDuffy: The Urban Eagle | Chocolate Pretzel | short film | |
| 2014 | Tuesday | Andrew's Friend | short film |
| 2015 | Max | Afghan Policeman | |
| Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip | Paparazzo | ||
| 2016 | Allegiant | Factionless Squad Leader | |
| 2018 | Escape Plan 2: Hades | MDLF Soldier |
References
- ^ "CBS Press Express | FBI". CBS Press Express (Press release). Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ a b "Arab American stars in new CBS prime-time series". Arab American News. 2018-07-28. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ "Connie Nielsen Cast in Dick Wolf's CBS Drama FBI". ComingSoon.net. 2018-03-06. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ "FBI star Zeeko Zaki details extraordinary 100lb weight loss", hellomagazine.com
- ^ "بطل مصري لمسلسل أمريكي.. حكاية زيكو زكي". elsaha.com. November 4, 2019.
- ^ "Delaware Today magazine Women in Business: Emon Zaki is operations manager at Sherif Zaki Salon & The Oasis Spa". Delaware Today. 2011-11-09. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
- ^ "Zeeko Zaki Finally Gets to Play the Good Guy". Harper's Bazaar. October 29, 2018.
- ^ "Muslim 'FBI' star advocates for better TV representation". New York Post. October 10, 2018.
- ^ حصريا .. قصة زيكو زكى النجم المصرى العالمى في هوليوود .. بدأ كومبارس وبقى بطل مسلسل «FBI», retrieved 2022-06-14
- ^ a b "Actor Zeeko Zaki Is Ready to Change the Narrative of Arab Men on the Small Screen". Town & Country. 2018-09-25. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ "I'm a Muslim American and I Play the Hero in a TV Show. Here's What My Experience Has Taught Me About How We Can Change Hollywood". Time. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
External links
- Zeeko Zaki at IMDb
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