Mena Massoud
An Egyptian-Canadian actor who leapt from a Disney live-action blockbuster to championing diverse storytelling and Middle Eastern representation on screen.
Born 1991 (age 35)·Egyptian-born Canadian actor·Birthday: September 17·Millennials
Biography
Mena Massoud's breakthrough was the kind fairy tales are made of: plucked from relative obscurity to star as the charming street rat in Disney's lavish live-action 'Aladdin'. Born in Egypt and raised in Markham, Ontario, he navigated the classic actor's grind after studying theater at the University of Toronto. While 'Aladdin' introduced him to a global audience, Massoud has been candid about the paradoxical challenges that follow a role of that magnitude, especially for an actor of color. Rather than waiting for Hollywood to call, he proactively created his own opportunities. He founded a production company and launched the 'Evolving Vegan' project, reflecting his personal passions. Through roles in series like 'Reprisal' and 'The Last of Us', he continues to build a nuanced career, determined to be more than a one-character actor and to open doors for more authentic and complex representations of the Middle Eastern and North African diaspora.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Mena was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mena Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Mena's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred in the title role of Disney's 2019 live-action 'Aladdin', which grossed over $1 billion worldwide.
- Founded the production company Press Play Productions to develop inclusive content.
- Authored and produced the travel culinary docuseries 'Evolving Vegan', exploring plant-based cultures.
- Played a recurring role in the critically acclaimed HBO series 'The Last of Us' in its second season.
Did You Know?
He is a certified scuba diver.
He worked as a nutritionist before his acting career took off.
He is fluent in English and Arabic.
He auditioned for the role of Aladdin three times before finally securing the part.
“I want to play a superhero, I want to play a villain, I want to play a romantic lead. I want to play all the things that I didn't get to see growing up.”
