During a panel discussion on faith and comedy at the Just For Laughs festival, Ramy Youssef shared a personal story about his father’s advice regarding the entertainment industry. Youssef, the creator, producer, director, and star of the Hulu series “Ramy,” talked about how his Egyptian-born father discouraged him from pursuing a career in the arts, emphasizing the importance of providing for his family in the future. While Youssef’s father saw acting as a “beautiful hobby,” he warned his son that “real life is going to start” and that he needed to be prepared for it.
Little did Youssef know that his father’s warning would become a reality during the current industry shutdown as Hollywood actors go on strike to demand fair pay, including residuals from streaming platforms. Reflecting on his father’s words, Youssef expressed both humor and a sense of inevitability: “Now we’re in the strike, and, well, here it is! The moment my father spoke of. My father told all of you this would happen. Enjoy the last Montreal.”
Just For Laughs comedian panels often have a therapeutic feel, and Youssef and fellow comedian and creator Jasmeet Singh Raina added to this atmosphere with their personal stories. Raina is about to launch his Canadian comedy series “Late Bloomer,” which explores the life of a YouTube content creator balancing newfound Internet fame and dating with his devout Sikh parents and family.
Youssef’s series, “Ramy,” addresses his personal journey of devotion and defiance as a first-generation son of Egyptian immigrants. Set in a politically divided New Jersey neighborhood, the show follows the life of a devout Muslim struggling to reconcile his faith with the desire to fit into American society as a 20-something. Youssef’s portrayal of this struggle has resonated with audiences and earned him a Golden Globe in 2020, as well as nominations for two Emmy Awards.
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Despite his achievements, Youssef opened up about the internal conflict he faced while shooting the first season of “Ramy.” He questioned whether it was appropriate to depict his personal prayer rituals on-screen and wondered if he had compromised his faith by selling the show to the Disney Corporation. Additionally, he expressed concerns about how his Muslim American community at the local Mosque would react to the series. Youssef stated, “I like going to the mosque. I love the community. And I knew a lot of people would not like ‘Ramy,’ and will I even be able to come back?”
These fears came to a climax when Youssef experienced a moment of panic while at his mosque. Two elderly Arab men appeared angry and were pointing at him during the service. Youssef feared the worst, thinking he had offended them with his portrayal of their faith in “Ramy.” However, the men surprised him by requesting a photo, leaving Youssef confused and relieved.
Putting his faith on TV as part of “Ramy” has prompted Youssef to explore the aspects of Islam that offer him solace and challenge comedic stereotypes. Similarly, Raina, who belongs to the Sikh faith, uses his signature prop, a turban, in his upcoming Crave comedy series. Raina jokingly acknowledged that not wearing the turban would be unwise from a marketing perspective since it has become an integral part of his brand.
In addition to his work on “Ramy,” Youssef co-created and executive produces the Netflix series “Mo,” which is inspired by the life of a Palestinian refugee growing up in Houston. On the feature film front, Youssef will appear alongside well-known actors such as Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Ruffalo in Yorgos Lanthimos’ upcoming film “Poor Things” for Searchlight.
In conclusion, Ramy Youssef’s personal journey of balancing faith and comedic success has resonated with audiences around the world. His experiences growing up as a first-generation immigrant and navigating the delicate line between cultural identity and artistic expression have shaped his work and established him as an influential figure in the entertainment industry.
