Egyptian-American comedian Ramy Youssef nominated for Critics' Choice Awards 2021

Ati Metwaly , Wednesday 20 Jan 2021

Youssef is among six nominees for the Best Actor in a Comedy Series award, while his show, Ramy, has also been nominated for the Best Comedy Series award

Ramy Youssef
Ramy Youssef in 'Ramy' (Photo: IMDb)

Egyptian-American Stand-up Comedian, Actor, and Writer Ramy Youssef is among the nominees for the Best Actor in a Comedy Series category in the 26th Critics' Choice Awards.

Youssef's nomination comes in recognition of his role in Ramy, a TV series created by Youssef in which he is the protagonist.

The series has also been nominated for the Best Comedy Series category.

"In New Jersey, Ramy, son of Egyptian migrants, begins a spiritual journey, divided between his Muslim community, God, and his friends who see endless possibilities," reads the series synopsis on IMDb.

Youssef won a Golden Globe in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy category in 2020. He has also been nominated for numerous other awards, including Prime time Emmy Awards, Gold Derby Awards, Writers Guild of America, among others. 

The series Ramy won several awards as well, such as the Peabody Award, the Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival, and the Ruderman Family Foundation Seal of Authentic Representation.

The series also stars Amr Waked, Mohammed Amer, Hiam Abbass, Dave Merheje, Laith Nakli, May Calamawy, and Steve Way.

Ramy Youssef
Hiam Abbass, Amr Waked, May Calamawy, Ramy Youssef, Rosaline Elbay, and Shadi Alfons in You Are Naked in Front of Your Sheikh episode (Photo: IMDb)

Born in New York City to Egyptian parents, Ramy Youssef was raised in a Muslim household. 

He graduated from the political science and economics department of Rutgers University in Newark; however, it was during his studies that he enrolled in the performing arts school, William Esper Studio.

He made his acting debut in the main role of a sitcom titled See Dad Run (2012-2019). While working on the sitcom, Youssef was also cast in American comedy film Why Him? (2016) and Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018).

His television series, Ramy, debuted on Hulu in 2019. A semi-biographical series that revolves around Ramy as a millennial first-generation Muslim American born to immigrant parents in the USA.

Throughout the series, Youssef depicts, comments, and laughs at the many habits and stereotypes of his community. He also tackles issues regarding the identity of immigrants living in the USA.

The story of Ramy takes place in New Jersey, where Ramy Youssef spent a big part of his life and where social and cultural realities are drawn on from his own experiences.

Ramy scored very high on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 97% rating from critics and an 84% audience score.

The short review on the American review-aggregation website for film and television describes Ramy as "an insightful and hilarious glimpse into the life of a Muslim American family, Ramy perfectly articulates the precarious nature and nuances of identity and announces Ramy Youssef is a talent to watch."

Ramy Youssef
Ramy Youssef and Steve Way in Saving Mikaela episode (Photo: IMDb)

Ramy Youssef is among the six nominees for the Best Actor Award in a Comedy Series by the Critics Choice Association.

The other contenders include Hank Azaria – Brockmire (IFC), Matt Berry – What We Do in the Shadows (FX), Nicholas Hoult – The Great (Hulu), Eugene Levy – Schitt's Creek (Pop), and Jason Sudeikis – Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

The series, Ramy (Hulu), is among eight entries for the Best Comedy Series category at the 26th Critics' Choice Awards, competing with Better Things (FX), The Flight Attendant (HBO Max), Mom (CBS), PEN15 (Hulu), Schitt's Creek (Pop), Ted Lasso (Apple TV+), and What We Do in the Shadows (FX).

The nominations in most categories have been revealed on 19 January. More categories and their nominees will be announced in February,

The annual award ceremony is scheduled to take place on 7 March. The organisers are yet to reveal the format of the event, depending on the situation of the coronavirus pandemic.

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