LOS ANGELES – The American-Arab based actor Rami Malek has won the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of rock star Freddie Mercury in the Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The 37-year-old star also won the SAG-AFTRA and British Academy prizes for the performance.
“We made a film about a gay man, an immigrant, who lived his life just unapologetically himself,” Malek said during his acceptance speech. “The fact that I’m celebrating him and this story with you tonight is proof that we’re longing for stories like this.”
In his post-award achieving speech, Rami Malek breathlessly thanked his family, noting that while his father didn’t get to see him up on the Oscars stage, “I think he’s looking down on me right now so this is a monumental moment.” In addition to thanking his family, Malek gave a sweet shout-out to his girlfriend and BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY costar Lucy Boynton, who portrayed Freddie Mercury’s close friend and partner Mary Austin. “Lucy Boynton, you’re the heart of this film,” he declared. “You’re beyond immensely talented. You have captured my heart.” The pair met and began dating on the set of the film.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” also won Oscars for film editing, sound editing, and sound mixing.
Malek’s breakthrough role was as computer hacker Elliot Alderson in the USA Network television series Mr. Robot (2015–present), for which he received several accolades, including the 2016 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
Malek was born and raised in Los Angeles, California to Egyptian immigrant parents, Malek studied theater at the University of Evansville in Indiana. He began his acting career with supporting roles in film and television, including the Fox sitcom The War at Home (2005–2007), the HBO miniseries The Pacific (2010), and the Night at the Museum film trilogy (2006–2014).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP0VHJYFOAU
After getting the award, Malek has become the first Arab-American to win Oscar for Best Actor.
