Rami Malek's Parents Are Immigrants & His Mother Nelly Abdel-Malek Did Not Want to Leave Egypt

Rami Malek's immigrant parents came to the United States hoping to give their family a better life. However, leaving Egypt came with several sacrifices, as his mother was scared to uproot her life from her familiar settings for the unknown.

Rami Malek is an American actor best known for his role as Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody," which earned him an Oscar. His parents, Said Malek and Nelly Abdel-Malek, immigrated from Egypt, despite his mother never wanting to leave.

Sadly, his dad passed away, which was difficult for the actor, who looked up to him. His mother became the pillar of the family, and although they were all affected by the loss, it brought their family closer together.

Rami Malek's Parents Immigrated from Egypt

The actor's parents left Cairo, Egypt, in 1978. His father was a travel agent who often picked up Western tourists and became fascinated with the other side of the world. Said wanted to move to Los Angeles, but Nelly didn't like the idea. Rami said:

"She did not want to leave. She had family and friends, right next door, and it was hard to give up that for a city like LA that can sometimes feel estranged from neighborhood to neighborhood."

Nelly eventually relented, knowing that it would allow the next generation of their family to succeed. His twin brother, Sami, became a teacher, and his sister, Yasmine, is a doctor. But Rami Malek doesn't think his parents ever considered him entering entertainment. He added:

"My family are very creative, very intelligent, very loveable. But I'm first-generation American… I don't think my parents ever thought that being an actor would be the best use of this transatlantic trip of theirs. You know, reshuffling their entire existence, so I could take a shot in the arts?"

They supported him when he started acting in high school. The craft helped him understand his background and himself better, as most of the kids at his school were American. At home, his family spoke Arabic, and he always felt different.

Rami Malek's Father's Passing United Their Family

After immigrating to the United States and settling in Sherman Oaks, California, Said became a door-to-door insurance salesman but died in 2006. Rami's mother reportedly worked as an accountant, although the actor hasn't talked much about her profession. A friend of the actor stated:

"His death really hit them hard and Rami really looked up to his dad, who always encouraged him to stay close to his family. His mother, siblings, and cousins are all incredibly proud of Rami and his achievements."

Sami is his younger twin brother, while Yasmine is the eldest. Initially, Rami's parents hoped he would become a lawyer. When he found his dream, they supported him as best they could, although they told him acting didn't seem like the stablest career.

Sadly, his father never saw him starring next to celebs like Daniel Craig, Denzel Washington, Jared Leto, and Matt Damon. Fortunately, he has built a great relationship with his family, especially his mother.

Rami's Beautiful Relationship with His Mother

Nelly attended the London premiere of "Bohemian Rhapsody" with her son and walked the red carpet. When interviewed, she gushed about his success:

"You know, I cannot imagine how proud, how happy I am! I cannot believe it. It's amazing."

When Rami won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2019, he started his acceptance speech with, "My mom is in here somewhere. Oh, I love you, lady." The actor thanked his family and once wished his mother a birthday on the SAG red carpet in 2016.