Zeeko Zaki
Zeeko Zaki | |
---|---|
File:Zeeko Zaki at the Monte Carlo Film Festival.jpg Zaki in 2019 | |
Born | |
Nationality | American |
Occupation(s) | Actor, Model |
Years active | 2012–present |
Zeeko Zaki (Arabic: زيكو زكي[1]; born January 18, 1990)[2][3] is an American actor best known for his role portraying Omar Adom "O. A." Agent Zidan on Dick Wolf's FBI.[4]
Early life
Zaki was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and immigrated to the United States at one month of age.[2][5] Zaki's maternal grandparents immigrated before him and his parents.[3] His extended family remained in Egypt, and Zaki visited his hometown during the summers of his childhood.[6] He grew up in West Chester, Pennsylvania.[3] His mother manages a salon and his father is a stylist.[7] Zaki has two younger siblings, a brother and a sister.[7]
Zaki's passion for acting was ignited during his freshman year high school performance of Seussical at Unionville High School, where he attended and graduated.[6][7] He also acted in the community theater group Unionville Players. He went on to briefly attend Temple University.[7][8]
Career
In 2010 Zaki moved to North Carolina and worked 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, Special Agent Omar Adom "O.A." Zidan, in Dick Wolf's procedural FBI. The role was originally written as Latino but Wolf was impressed enough by his audition tape to change the character to mirror his background and ethnicity.[9][10]
Personal life
Zaki is a practicing Muslim.[3][5][6] Zaki speaks both English and Arabic fluently.[5][11]
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 |
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
- ^ "زيكو زكي.. مصري يلعب دور البطولة في مسلسل أميركي". Alhurra (in Arabic). September 27, 2018.
- ^ a b "CBS Press Express | FBI". CBS Press Express (Press release). Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ a b c d "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.
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ a b c d "Dick Wolf's new CBS show 'F.B.I' stars Delaware actor Zeeko Zaki". delawareonline. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ "ZEEKO ZAKI - Resume | STW Talent Agency". resumes.breakdownexpress.com. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "بطل مصري لمسلسل أمريكي.. حكاية زيكو زكي". elsaha.com. November 4, 2019.
External links
- Zeeko Zaki at IMDb