Personal details
Born:
- Born Place: Cairo, Egypt
Also Known As:
Ayman ElSamman
Ayman Samman
Ayman Samman is an Egyptian-American actor, filmmaker, and writer whose career is defined by his ability to bridge cultures through diverse roles in both Hollywood and the Middle East. Born in Cairo, Egypt, he initially earned a degree in Egyptology and led one of the country's first heavy metal bands before relocating to Chicago to pursue music. It was there that he fell in love with the performing arts, studying at some of the city's top acting schools. His breakthrough in Hollywood came with a memorable role in Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated blockbuster American Sniper (2014), where he played a pivotal part in the high-tension dinner scene alongside Bradley Cooper. Since then, he has become a frequent face in American primetime television, with guest and recurring roles in major series such as Scandal, Madam Secretary, The Looming Tower, Blindspot, and various installments of the NCIS franchise. In addition to his acting work, Samman is a prolific creator and voice artist. He co-created Momo’s Amerika, the first Arab-American animated comedy series, which was eventually acquired by Comedy Central, and his short film Jumper was a finalist at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. In the 2026 drama I Was a Stranger, he portrays the character Shaheen, a role that fits into his broader commitment to projects that explore complex socio-political themes. Fluent in both Arabic and English, Samman has also lent his voice to major video game titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and has successfully ventured into stand-up comedy at renowned Hollywood clubs.
