Zeeko Zaki

Zeeko Zaki (Arabic: زيكو زكي‎[1]; born January 18, 1990)[2][3] is an American actor best known for his role portraying Special Agent Omar Adom "O. A." Zidan on Dick Wolf's FBI.[4]

Zeeko Zaki
Zaki in 2019
Born (1990-01-18) January 18, 1990
Alexandria, Egypt
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActor, Model
Years active2012–present

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 he 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
gollark: Are you ASSUMING my MORTALITY?
gollark: During much of the evolution of *our* species there were a bunch of other human species around.
gollark: Saltwater?
gollark: Yes, the one true drink is diluted orange juice.
gollark: Why anyone who uses more than one space after a full stop is objectively wrong in all ways.

References
  1. "زيكو زكي.. مصري يلعب دور البطولة في مسلسل أميركي". Alhurra (in Arabic). September 27, 2018.
  2. "CBS Press Express | FBI". CBS Press Express (Press release). Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  3. "Arab American stars in new CBS prime-time series". Arab American News. 2018-07-28. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  4. "Connie Nielsen Cast in Dick Wolf's CBS Drama FBI". ComingSoon.net. 2018-03-06. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  5. "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.
  6. "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.
  7. "Dick Wolf's new CBS show 'F.B.I' stars Delaware actor Zeeko Zaki". delawareonline. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  8. "ZEEKO ZAKI - Resume | STW Talent Agency". resumes.breakdownexpress.com. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  9. "Zeeko Zaki Finally Gets to Play the Good Guy". Harper's Bazaar. October 29, 2018.
  10. "Muslim 'FBI' star advocates for better TV representation". New York Post. October 10, 2018.
  11. "بطل مصري لمسلسل أمريكي.. حكاية زيكو زكي". elsaha.com. November 4, 2019.
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