Mena Massoud
Mena Massoud | |
---|---|
مینا مسعود | |
![]() Massoud in 2019 | |
Born | [1] | 17 September 1991
Nationality | Canadian |
Citizenship | Egyptian, Canadian |
Alma mater | Ryerson University[2] |
Occupation |
|
Years active | 2011–present |
Notable work | Aladdin |
Awards | Full list |
Mena Massoud (Arabic: مينا مسعود; born 17 September 1991) is an Egyptian-born Canadian actor[3] and singer known for starring as the title character in the Disney fantasy film Aladdin (2019). He also starred as Jared Malik in the Canadian drama series Open Heart (2015), Tarek Kassar in the Amazon Prime series Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (2018), and as Ethan Hart in the Hulu series Reprisal (2019).
Life and career[]
Massoud was born in Cairo, Egypt, to Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christian parents. He has two older sisters.[4] He and his family emigrated to Canada when he was three years old.[5] When asked why his family left Egypt, Massoud stated, "we're Coptic Christian and my parents just felt like things were getting a little too dangerous when I was growing up in Egypt. They wanted to create a better life for their family so they decided to emigrate to Canada."[6]
Massoud grew up in Markham, Ontario,[1] where he attended St. Brother André Catholic High School.[6][7] He is a vegan.[8] Massoud is an avid fan of his local basketball team, the Toronto Raptors of the NBA.[9]
Massoud began acting in 2011, with guest appearances on the television series Nikita and Combat Hospital.[10] In 2015, he was cast as Jared Malik in the Canadian-drama series Open Heart, which was cancelled after one season. In 2017, he starred as Ollie Santos in the film Ordinary Days.[11] In 2018, he had a recurring role as Tarek Kassar in the Amazon Prime original series Jack Ryan.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Mena_Massoud_2019.png/175px-Mena_Massoud_2019.png)
In 2019, Massoud portrayed the titular character in Disney's fantasy-adventure film Aladdin, which is a live-action adaption of the animated film of the same name.[1] For his performance, he received a Teen Choice Award nomination, and two National Film & TV Award nominations.[12][13] In the same year, he was cast in the main role of Ethan Hart in the Hulu original series Reprisal.[14] Also in 2019, he appeared as Chaz in the thriller film Strange but True, and starred as Kamal in the drama film Run This Town.[15] In January 2021, Massoud was announced to play the male lead in Netflix's feature film, The Royal Treatment.[16]
Artistry[]
Massoud is a huge admirer of Egyptian comedy movies, in an interview with the BBC, he stated how his Egyptian heritage has inspired him as a comedian, stating: "I grew up watching Egyptian comedy films by the great Egyptian comedians such as Ismail Yassine and Adel Emam.[17] The way they entertain the audience with not only their words but with their body language and facial expressions is totally different from that of the actors here. I played a lot of comedy roles in American productions. My role in Aladdin is also a comedy role. I believe I play comedy roles with a different taste that I learned from our own Egyptian cinema and this makes it appealing in a different way."[18]
Hobby and culture[]
Massoud is the founder of the book and community of Evolving Vegan.[19]
Filmography[]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | What Happens Next | Jad | |
2014 | Americanistan | Mohammed Ali | |
2015 | Let's Rap | John | |
2017 | Ordinary Days | Ollie Santos | |
2017 | Final Exam | Zaid | |
2018 | Masters in Crime | Majid | |
2019 | Aladdin | Aladdin | |
2019 | Strange but True | Chaz | |
2019 | Merging with the Infinite | Charlie Smith | |
2020 | Run This Town | Kamal | |
2021 | Lamya's Poem | Rumi (voice) | |
TBA | The Royal Treatment | Prince Thomas | Filming[20] |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Nikita | Al Qaeda No. 2 | 1 episode |
2011 | Poser | Bretten Thomason | Recurring |
2011 | Combat Hospital | Salman Zawab | 1 episode |
2011 | The 99 | Hafiz the Preserver / Dave / Saad | Main role |
2012 | Cut to the Chase | Jason | Recurring role |
2012 | King | Malik Atassi | 1 episode |
2015 | Open Heart | Jared Malik | Main role |
2017 | Saving Hope | Justin Srinivasan | 1 episode |
2018 | Jack Ryan | Tarek Kassar | Recurring (Season 1) |
2019 | Reprisal | Ethan Hart | Main role |
2021 | 9-1-1: Lone Star | Salim | 1 episode |
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
2016 | Watch Dogs 2 | Various voices |
Awards and nominations[]
Year | Awards | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movie Actor | Aladdin | Nominated | [12] |
GQ Men of the Year Awards | Breakthrough Talent | Himself | Won | [21] | |
National Film & TV Awards | Best Actor | Aladdin | Nominated | [13] | |
Best Newcomer | Nominated |
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "7 Things You Need to Know About Aladdin's Mena Massoud". E!. July 15, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- ^ Balcerzak, Izabella (July 25, 2017). "Ryerson alumnus Mena Massoud cast as Disney's Aladdin". The Eyeopener.
- ^ Omar, Eslam (May 29, 2019). "Aladdin's Egyptian actor Mena Massoud under fire over interview with Israeli outlet". Ahram Online. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
- ^ "Mena Massoud on the making of 'Aladdin', starring opposite Will Smith", ABC News, May 24, 2019, retrieved June 25, 2019
- ^ "Aladdin Breakout Star Mena Massoud: 'People Who Look Like Me Struggle to Get Roles'". People. May 24, 2019. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Mena Massoud On Being 'Aladdin'", NPR, May 26, 2019, retrieved July 1, 2019
- ^ "'I followed my dream': Canadian Aladdin star Mena Massoud's magic carpet ride to stardom", CBC News, May 24, 2019, retrieved June 25, 2019
- ^ "Disney's Vegan 'Aladdin' Actor Mena Massoud Launches Plant-Based Food Travel Show 'Evolving Vegan'", LIVEKINDLY, October 8, 2018, retrieved June 25, 2019
- ^ Massoud, Mena [@MenaMassoud] (May 13, 2019). "Kawhi is an absolute beast!! I will use my magic carpet to go bring him back if he decides to leave this summer. Think there's too much love in that locker room. Let's go RAPTORS!! #WeTheNorth" (Tweet). Retrieved January 8, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Who is Mena Massoud? Meet Disney's new Aladdin". Entertainment Weekly. July 15, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
- ^ Barrett, Brandon. "Ordinary Days, three different ways at WFF Dec. 2". Pique. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Moreau, Jordan (June 19, 2019). "'Avengers: Endgame,' 'Riverdale,' 'Aladdin' Top 2019 Teen Choice Award Nominations". Variety. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Wakeling, Naomi (October 21, 2019). "Nominations for the 2nd annual National Film & TV Awards are announced". National Film Academy. Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise (August 8, 2018). "Mena Massoud Joins Hulu's Femme Fatale Pilot 'Reprisal' From Warren Littlefield & A+E Studios". Deadline. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (March 26, 2018). "Ben Platt, Nina Dobrev, Mena Massoud & Damian Lewis To Star In 'Run This Town'". Deadline. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (January 25, 2021). "'Austin & Ally' Alum Laura Marano & 'Aladdin's Mena Massoud Get 'The Royal Treatment' From Netflix". Deadline. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "مينا مسعود، بطل فيلم علاء الدين: استلهمت الاداء الكوميدي من عادل امام" [Mina Masoud, the hero of Aladdin: I was inspired by Adel Imam with a comedic performance]. BBC News (in Arabic). May 5, 2019 – via YouTube.
- ^ Nasr, Nahed (May 16, 2019). "A present-day Aladdin: Mena Massoud, a new Egyptian star in international cinema". Ahram Online.
- ^ "Home". Evolving Vegan.
- ^ Houseman, Molly (February 27, 2021). "Dunedin streets to be closed for filming". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
Filming also took place in Dunedin at Larnach Castle on Thursday.
- ^ "Mena Massoud is GQ's Breakthrough Talent". GQ. October 6, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
External links[]
- Mena Massoud at IMDb
- Mena Massoud on Twitter
- 1991 births
- 21st-century Canadian male actors
- Canadian Christians
- Canadian male film actors
- Canadian male television actors
- Canadian male voice actors
- Canadian people of Coptic descent
- Canadian people of Egyptian descent
- Ryerson University alumni
- Egyptian emigrants to Canada
- Living people
- Male actors from Ontario
- People from Markham, Ontario