Zeeko Zaki

Zakaria Sherif Zaki (Arabic: زكريا شريف زكي; born January 18, 1990), better known as Zeeko Zaki (Arabic: زيكو زكي), is an Egyptian-American actor best known for his role portraying Special Agent Omar Adom "OA" Zidan on the CBS television series FBI.

Early life and education Zaki was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and immigrated with his parents Eman and Sherif Zaki to the United States when he was one month old. Zaki's maternal grandparents immigrated to the U.S. before he and his parents arrived. His extended family remained in Egypt. During his childhood Zaki spent summers in his hometown, his aunt has a villa in Agami Region where he and his relatives gather. He grew up in West Chester, Pennsylvania. His mother manages a salon in Wilmington, Delaware, and his father is a stylist. Zaki has two younger siblings: a brother, Zeyad, and a sister, Zeina.

Career Zaki discovered a passion for acting during his freshman year high school performance of Seussical at Unionville High School. He also acted in the community theatre group Unionville Players. He briefly attended Temple University in Philadelphia.

In 2010, Zaki moved to North Carolina, where he worked in theater before auditioning for television roles. He appeared in bit part roles in various films and television series before landing recurring roles in Six and 24: Legacy, portraying antagonists, and in Valor, in which he portrayed a door gunner of a U.S. Army special operations aviation unit. Zaki was cast in his first lead role playing Special Agent Zidan in Dick Wolf's procedural show FBI. The role was originally written for a Latino actor but Wolf, impressed by Zaki's audition tape, changed the character's ethnicity to mirror Zaki's background.

Zaki has said that he wants to prove to the world that Muslims and Arabs are not terrorists.

Personal life Zaki is a Muslim. Zaki spoke Egyptian Arabic at home until the age of six.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2012 Michael Short film Stuck in Love Gus 2013 Heart of the Country Prisoner McDuffy: The Urban Eagle Chocolate Pretzel Short film 2014 Tuesday Andrew's friend Short film 2015 Max Afghan policeman Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip Paparazzo #2 2016 Factionless squad leader 2018 Escape Plan 2: Hades MDLF soldier 2022 Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again Ra the Sun God (voice)

Television Year Title Role Notes 2012 Homeland Sergeant Episode: "State of Independence" Revolution Militia Soldier Uncredited; episode: "Nobody's Fault But Mine" 2013 Under the Dome Customer #2 Episode: "The Fire" 2014 Cameron Episode: "Chardonnay Goes Kissing" 2015 Satisfaction Russell 2 episodes 2016 Dario Resta Episode: "The Return of Ronnie" 2017 Six Akmal Barayev 8 episodes 24: Legacy Hamid 7 episodes NCIS: Los Angeles Aimon Shah 2 episodes Duke 2 episodes Daytime Divas Cab driver Episode: "Truth's a Mutha" 2017–2018 Valor Staff Sergeant Matt Darzi 5 episodes 2018–present FBI FBI Special Agent Omar Adom ‘OA’ Zidan Main role 2020–2023 FBI: Most Wanted 3 episodes 2021 FBI: International Episode: "Pilot"