Mena Massoud

1.1. Birth and Immigration

Mena Mansour Massoud was born on September 17, 1991, in Cairo, Egypt. His parents, Gorgit and Mansour Massoud, are Coptic Orthodox Christians. He has two elder sisters, Marian and Margaret, both of whom work in the medical field. When Massoud was three and a half years old, his family immigrated to Toronto, Canada. The decision to leave Egypt was driven by his parents' concerns that the situation for Coptic Christians was becoming increasingly dangerous, and they sought to create a better life for their family in Canada. Despite moving at a young age, Massoud maintains a strong connection to his Egyptian culture.

1.2. Education

Massoud grew up in Markham, Ontario, where he attended St. Brother André Catholic High School. During his time there, he was actively involved in the school's improv team, serving as its head. Initially, Massoud pursued a different academic path, enrolling at the University of Toronto with a major in Neuroscience, aspiring to become a doctor or psychologist. However, he did not complete this degree. Instead, he decided to audition for theatre schools and subsequently transferred to Ryerson University, where he enrolled in their theatre performance program. He successfully graduated from Ryerson University in 2014, marking the formal beginning of his journey into the performing arts.

2.1. Early Career

Mena Massoud began his acting career in 2011 with guest appearances on television series. His very first on-screen role was as "Al Qaeda No. 2" in the series Nikita. This experience profoundly impacted him, leading him to set a personal goal to seek out characters that did not perpetuate negative stereotypes or connotations based on ethnicity or skin color. He also appeared in Combat Hospital in 2011. In 2015, he was cast as Jared Malik in the Canadian drama series Open Heart, though the series was cancelled after just one season. In 2017, Massoud starred as Ollie Santos in the film Ordinary Days, which premiered at the Atlantic International University. The following year, in 2018, he secured a recurring role as Tarek Kassar in the Amazon Prime original series Jack Ryan.

2.2. Breakthrough Role: Aladdin

In 2019, Mena Massoud achieved his breakthrough by portraying the titular character in Disney's live-action fantasy-adventure film Aladdin, an adaptation of the 1992 animated film classic. His casting came after an extensive search, as finding the right actor for Aladdin proved challenging. Massoud expressed excitement about the role, noting that he was thrilled to finally play a character that was not a terrorist and carried positive connotations, describing it as an inspiring film and role. The film was both a critical success and commercial success, grossing over 1.00 B USD at the global box office. For his performance, Massoud received nominations for a Teen Choice Award and two National Film & TV Awards. This role was particularly significant for its positive and vibrant portrayal of an Arab character in Hollywood, marking an important step for the representation of people of color in the entertainment industry. Despite the film's immense success, Massoud later revealed that he struggled to secure auditions in the months following its release.

2.3. Film and Television Work

Following his breakthrough in Aladdin, Mena Massoud continued to expand his film portfolio and television portfolio. In 2019, he took on the role of Ethan Hart in the Hulu original series Reprisal. That same year, he appeared as Chaz in the thriller film Strange but True and as Kamal in the drama film Run This Town.

In 2021, Massoud ventured into voice acting, lending his voice to the character of Rumi in the animated film Lamya's Poem. He also starred in the Egyptian film Fe Ez El-Dohr. In 2022, he featured as Prince Thomas in the Netflix film The Royal Treatment alongside Laura Marano, and as Luke in Hotel for the Holidays. In 2023, Massoud starred as Jude in the horror film The Sacrifice Game, for which he also served as an executive producer. He further contributed his voice to the character of Patrick in the animated film Butterfly Tale.

His television appearances also include a recurring role as Bretten Thomason in Poser (2011), Salman Zawab in Combat Hospital (2011), and main voice roles as Hafiz the Preserver, Dave, and Saad in The 99 (2011). He also appeared as Jason in Cut to the Chase (2012), Malik Atassi in King (2012), Justin Srinivasan in Saving Hope (2017), Salim in 9-1-1: Lone Star (2021), and an Egyptian Diplomat in History of the World, Part II (2023).

2.4. Hosting and Voice Acting

In addition to his acting roles, Mena Massoud has engaged in hosting and voice acting. In 2023, he debuted as the host of Evolving Vegan, a Canadian television series focused on vegan cuisine. This series is based in part on his own vegan cookbook of the same name, reflecting his commitment to promoting a plant-based lifestyle. As a voice actor, Massoud provided various voices for the video game Watch Dogs 2 in 2016.

2.5. Future Projects

Mena Massoud has several upcoming projects. He is slated to reprise his role as Aladdin in an upcoming sequel to the successful 2019 film. In 2023, Massoud announced that he is producing The Last King, an Iranian adaptation of a work by Stephen King. He also starred opposite Isabelle Fuhrman in director Julia Stiles' romance drama film Wish You Were Here, which is set for release on January 17, 2025. Additionally, he is involved in a short film titled Spaceman and the film Tecie, which is currently in post-production.

3.1. Acting Style and Influences

Massoud's acting style, particularly his comedic performances, is deeply influenced by his Egyptian heritage. He has expressed admiration for great Egyptian comedians such as Ismail Yassine and Adel Emam, noting how their ability to entertain audiences not only with words but also with body language and facial expressions differs significantly from actors in other regions. He believes this unique comedic taste, honed by Egyptian cinema, makes his performances appealing in a distinct way, even in American productions. Beyond his comedic influences, Massoud draws inspiration from Robin Williams. He has stated that Williams was the actor who impacted him the most, specifically citing his role in Mrs. Doubtfire as an incredibly well-rounded performance that explores an amazing journey, which Massoud considers very underrated.

3.2. Cultural Representation and Advocacy

Mena Massoud has made a significant impact on cultural representation in Hollywood, particularly through his role as Aladdin, which presented a more positive and vibrant portrayal of an Arab character. He views this role as crucial for the representation of people of color in the industry. Massoud is a vocal advocate for diversity and authentic casting. In September 2019, he launched the Ethnically Diverse Artists (EDA) Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping Canadian artists from underrepresented groups kickstart their careers. The foundation provides support by securing mentors, offering training, and assisting with professional headshots for actors, musicians, and visual artists. Massoud established the EDA Foundation because he observed that artists of color often face the most significant struggles in the industry, feeling "lost" between established Caucasian artists and the growing focus on African American artists. His mission is to promote fair casting practices, irrespective of an artist's skin color or ethnic background. He reiterated his advocacy for diversity when he was honored at Egypt's third El Gouna Film Festival in 2019, emphasizing the need for a broader diversity of storytelling in movies and television. Earlier in September 2019, he was also appointed an ambassador by Egypt's Ministry of Migration for their "Speak Egyptian" initiative, aimed at preserving the Egyptian identity of those living abroad.

4.1. Evolving Vegan

Mena Massoud is a dedicated vegan and has actively promoted a plant-based lifestyle through his brand, Evolving Vegan. This initiative includes a cookbook of the same name, a Canadian television series he hosts, and an online community. His motto for the brand is "It's not about being vegan, vegetarian, or omnivore, it's about evolving. Evolving vegan for the environment, for health, and for the next generation." Through Evolving Vegan, he shares information daily on Instagram and Twitter, and offers merchandise such as T-shirts on the official website. The television series, launched in 2023, explores vegan cuisine and travel, further extending his advocacy for plant-based living. His cookbook, Evolving Vegan, was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Awards in the "Best Food & Cookbooks" category in 2020. In 2024, the Evolving Vegan television series earned him a nomination for a Canadian Screen Award for "Best Host in a Lifestyle Program or Series".

4.2. Business and Entrepreneurship

Massoud has ventured into the business world beyond his vegan brand. In February 2022, he announced the launch of his new gin, Dharma Indian Dry Gin, a project he developed over two years with over 50 distillations. He created this gin alongside Emily Shah and Prashant Shah, describing it as the "world's first & only spirit inspired by Ayurvedic practice" and an "expression of culture, willpower, and history." This venture showcases his entrepreneurial spirit and interest in diverse business opportunities.

4.3. Philanthropy and Advocacy

Massoud is actively involved in philanthropic and advocacy efforts, focusing on cultural preservation and supporting underrepresented artists. He was appointed an ambassador for Egypt's "Speak Egyptian" initiative by the Ministry of Migration, an effort aimed at preserving the Egyptian identity among those living abroad. Furthermore, he founded the Ethnically Diverse Artists (EDA) Foundation, a not-for-profit organization in Canada. This foundation is dedicated to helping artists from underrepresented groups in the entertainment industry by providing them with mentors, training, and professional headshots, thereby assisting them in jumpstarting their careers. His work with the EDA Foundation extends to supporting actors, musicians, and visual artists, reflecting his broader commitment to fostering diversity and fair opportunities in the arts.

6.1. Film

6.2. Television

6.3. Video Games