Welcome to a very special episode of the BarBend Podcast, one that covers a bit more ground than normal. Today we’re talking to Laith Nakli, a star of stage and screen probably best known for his roles in The Long Road Home, The Wall, and as Uncle Naseem in the hit TV series Ramy. He’s also a cast member on the upcoming Ms. Marvel series on Disney Plus. Before his acting days, Laith was a competitive bodybuilder, winning the title of “Mr. Syria” before retiring from the sport. In our conversation, we talk about Laith’s bodybuilding career, the discipline and focus it helped teach him in pursuing acting, diversity and representation on screen, and much, much more.
On this episode of The BarBend Podcast, host David Thomas Tao talks to Laith Nakli about:
- The famous montage of Uncle Naseem lifting in the show “Ramy” (01:50)
- “Bodybuilding is a through-line in my life” and an homage to Laith’s former bodybuilding career (3:30)
- The beginning of Laith’s bodybuilding career earlier in life (7:03)
- Making the transition back into acting, and how Laith’s international upbringing shapes him to this day (10:10)
- Leveraging the discipline and self-belief that bodybuilding helped him develop (13:10)
- Landing the role of “Uncle Naseem” in the hit show “Ramy” (16:35)
- Humanizing characters that might be difficult to relate to, and why there are a lot of “Uncle Naseems” in the world (21:50)
- “Ramy’s” fan base and getting recognized in public (28:10)
- Striving for representation on stage and screen (30:00)
Relevant links and further reading:
