Egyptian-American actor Rami Malek, 37, won the Best Actor award at the 91st Academy Awards for his performance in “Bohemian Rhapsody.” He played the late British rock band Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury in the biopic written by Anthony McCarten and directed by Bryan Singer.
The Oscars 2019 voters chose Malek over Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Willem Dafoe and Viggo Mortensen. Bale was nominated for his role as Dick Cheney in “Vice” while Cooper, Dafoe and Mortensen’s respective roles that earned the nominations were Jackson “Jack” Maine in “Star is Born,” Vincent van Gogh in “At Eternity’s Gate” and Frank “Tony Lip” Vallelonga in “Green Book.”
The Oscars 2019 awarding ceremony took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States on February 24, 2019. In Malek’s acceptance speech, he said, “My mom is in here somewhere.”
“I love you, Lady!” Malek told his mother. “My family, thank you for all of this. My dad didn’t get to see me do any of this, but I think he’s looking down on me right now so this is a monumental moment.”
Malek noted that he was very appreciative to everyone who has had a hand in getting him where he is now. He pointed out, “I may not have been the obvious choice but I guess it worked out.”
“Thank you, Queen,” Malek added. “Thank you, guys, for letting me the tiniest part of your phenomenal extraordinary legacy. I am forever in your debt.”
To the “Bohemian Rhapsody” cast and crew, Malek said they are his equals and his betters and he could have never been where he is without them. He said, “I think about what it would have been like to tell little Bubba Rami that one day this may happen to him and I think his curly-haired mind would be blown.”
Born in Los Angeles on May 12, 1981, Malek studied theater at the University of Evansville in Indiana, USA. His parents are Egyptians immigrants.
“We made a film about a gay man, an immigrant who lived his life unapologetically himself,” the Egyptian-American actor said of the biopic about Mercury. “I am the son of immigrants from Egypt. I am a first-generation American and my story is being written right now. I cannot be more grateful to each and every one of you.”
Among Mercury’s Queen bandmates were Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon. Joining Malek in the “Bohemian Rhapsody” cast are Gwilym Lee as May, Ben Hardy as Taylor, Joe Mazzello as Deacon and Lucy Boynton as Mary Austin.
“Lucy Boynton, you’re the heart of this film,” Malek said. “You’re beyond immensely talented. You have captured my heart. Thank you so much.”
Here is Malek in his full backstage interview at the Oscars 2019:
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