Meet Ahmed Ahmed: Actor, Comedian, Director

By Sara Elghobashy

January 7, 2009

Comedian Ahmed Ahmed got his start as an actor and later transitioned to comedy, appearing at Arab and Muslim comedy festivals all over the world. You may know him from the “Axis of Evil Comedy Tour” or perhaps you’ve seen him in movies like Iron Man or You Don’t Mess with the Zohan. But did you know that he secretly wishes he was on the Food Network?

Looks like he’s going to have to hold that thought. Ahmed Ahmed is now tackling the world of directing with his first film “Just Like Us,” a documentary that trails a group of comedians as they tour the Middle East. With stops in Dubai, Lebanon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the film captures the spirit and celebrates the culture of people that are often misrepresented. So what inspired him to direct this film? And what does he hope people will take away from it? elan catches up with Ahmed Ahmed to find out.

elan Q: When did you first realize that you wanted to be an actor?

Ahmed Ahmed: I think I realized it in high school. In elementary school I did plays but when I was in high school I knew I wanted to go into the industry and then comedy followed 10 years later and the producer and director stuff last year.

Q: If you weren’t an actor/comedian/director, what would you be?

AA: Probably a chef. Honestly, I say this only half jokingly, I am really considering pitching a show to the Food Network.

Q: What was the worst role you’ve ever had?

AA: In a movie I did called “The Onion Movie.” I played a terrorist believe it or not. It was an awful, awful film. I say that on the record because I have no allegiance to that film.

Q: What is your dream role?

AA: An Arab superhero. Arab Spiderman or Arab Falal King. A guy who fights crime with hummus or tabbouleh. Honestly, I just want to play a cop or doctor or someone normal.

Q: Who would play you in a movie?

AA: That’s a good question. George Clooney. I say that because I have a lot of grey hair. Actually, I went to get a haircut earlier and an Asian woman cut my hair. So I sat down and she asked me, “How do you want me to cut your hair?” and I said, “Make me look like George Clooney” so she says (in an Asian accent), “You hair look like George Clooney, just not your face.”

Q: What was your first job?

AA: I had a paper route when I was 12 so I guess that would be my first job. But I don’t consider that a job because I did it for a week and quit. I used to be dish washer at Fuddruckers. The worst part of the job was that they had us there every night until 3 or 4 in the morning just scrubbing walls and stuff.

Q: When you were young, who was the one person you wanted to be like?

AA: Kareem Abdul Jabbar because he’s 7’3” and I always wanted to be a giant like that.

Q: Did you have any nicknames as a child?

AA: They called me “Club Med” because my name is Ahmed. My middle name is Abu Bakr but my friends called me Baker for short. I was constantly referred to as “the Egyptian.” So my friends would introduce me like, “These are my friends, Matt, Steve, Joe and the Egyptian.”

Q: What is your favorite indulgence?

AA: Barbequing. I love barbequing. I cook when I’m at home. I try to cook as much as I can.

Q: Name two songs that would be on the soundtrack to your life.

AA: Probably Led Zeppelin’s “Ramble On”and Hank Williams Jr.’s “I Saw the Light.”

Q: What is the first thing you do Sunday morning?

AA: I make a cup of coffee and I turn on the Food Network.

Q: What is your favorite dish of all time?

AA: Angel hair pasta pomodoro. I love olive oil. I’d drink olive oil over ice. I put olive oil on my cereal.

Q: Tell me a little about “Just Like Us.” What inspired you to make the documentary and what do you hope people will take away from it?

AA: Basically in April 09, I was scheduled to do a 5 country tour of the Middle East. About a week before I left on my trip, I was speaking to a friend who is an entrepreneur business man type. He asked me what I was doing and when I told about the comedy tour, he told me to film it. I told him I would need funding to do that type of thing and he said I’ll write the check yesterday. I didn’t believe him until my accountant called to say that you got a significant amount of money from this person. So I called him up and he was like, “I was serious about this. You should do it.” So we took a bunch of camera guys with us to the countries we visited. Some of the shows were really big. We had 2000, 3000 people in the audience. The lineup was pretty international. I was actually the only Arab guy on the tour. The movie was not about the tour as much as it was about a celebration of culture. The stars of the movie were actually the countries. We are about 90 percent finished and we are submitting it to festivals. We wanted to do something that showed that the Arab and Muslim world has a sense of humor just like us.

Q: What was it like to do stand-up in the countries you visited?

AA: It was amazing. Everyone was really receptive. They got all the reference and jokes. It ended up being a big hit and the crowds were extremely welcoming. It was beautiful and humbling as well as empowering. It seemed to be for the most part accepted across the board.

Q: How does it feel to add director to your titles?

AA: It’s my first thing. I think it’s pretty good. I’ve reached a milestone in my life. I’m on the horizon for the next project in my life.

Q: What do you think are the biggest challenges facing Arab and Muslim youth today?

AA: I think assimilation. You know, Arab and Muslim youth assimilating to a contemporary lifestyle. I see the assimilation happening but there is restriction. But the good thing is that Arab and Muslims are expressing themselves more though a cultural and artistic movement so hopefully that will help.

Q: What advice do you have for young comedians who want to break into the business?

AA: My advice. Don’t do it. No, my advice is be prepared for a world that is unstable and competitive. There are a lot of perks to what we do but our business is also a lone wolf kind of business. Not really a team sport. If you are willing to do it alone, you’ll find a lot of solitude. Just try to write as much new material as you can and try to get up on stage as much as you can. You have to be passionate about entertaining people. Love what you do and stick behind it no matter what people say. And you have to be able to accept criticisms. Not even accept it but not pay attention to it.