Osamah Sami (born 10 March 1983 in Qom, Iran) is an award-winning Australian actor, writer and stand up comedian of Iraqi origin. He is recognized as a notable Australian Muslim by the Commonwealth of Australia. His critically acclaimed book "Good Muslim Boy", (published by Hardie Grant) was the Winner of the 2016 NSW Premier's Literary Award. It was also Highly Commended at the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards that same year. He was nominated for a Green Room Award for best male performer in a lead role for his work in Melbourne Theatre Company'sI Call My Brothers.
Osamah also co wrote and starred in Australia's first Muslim romantic comedy, Ali's Wedding, which had its world premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival. His script was the Winner of an AWGIE Award, taking out the prize in the Best Original Film category. His film was the Winner of the Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the 2017 Sydney Film Festival.
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Biography
Osamah was born in Iran to Iraqi parents and was cast in several roles on stage in his childhood hometown of Qom.
After immigrating to Australia, he began working with a local theatre group and starred in many productions from then on. His performance in Trial of Saddam, where he played Saddam Hussein, was very successful amongst the Iraqi community in Australia. The play was written by his father. In 2005 he was part of a theatre group that was prevented from entering the United States of America to perform the play.
He has since gone on to work regularly in Film, Theatre and Television. He has been cast in several leading roles; one opposite Claudia Karvan, one of Australia's most reputable actresses, in the Tele-Movie "Saved", directed by Award-winning director Tony Ayres. He also played the lead role in the award-winning Dee McLachlan comedy feature, "10 Terrorists!". His guest roles include TV shows including East West 101, Rush, Sea Patrol, City Homicide, Jack Irish and a regular role in the TV series Kick.
He is also the co creator of the comedy Web Series Two Refugees & a Blonde, which was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series at the L.A Web Fest. His debut book Good Muslim Boy, a memoir, was published by Hardie Grant in May 2015 to great critical acclaim.
He also co-wrote and starred in Australia's first Muslim Rom-Com, Ali's Wedding, under the helm of Award-winning director Jeffrey Walker and shot by Oscar-nominated cinematographer Don McAlpine (Mrs Doubtfire, Moulin Rouge, X-Men).
He also writes a poetry blog, with four main categories of: Love, Social Justice, For Dad and War.
Awards
2017 – Winner of Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Award, Best Web Series (Two Refugees and a Blonde)
2016 – Winner of the AWGIE Award, Best Original Screenplay (Ali's Wedding)
2016 – Winner of the NSW Premier's Literary Award (Good Muslim Boy)
