Rami Malek Remembers How He Booked His First Role on 'Gilmore Girls'

“I woke up every morning and stuffed manila envelopes with my headshot and résumé and sent them to every agent in the city, every casting director for years.” – Rami Malek

For many viewers of Bohemian Rhapsody, Rami Malek might seem like an overnight sensation based on the huge success of the Queen frontman’s biopic. However, Malek appeared in movies like the Night at the Museum series, The Master, Short Term 12, and Need for Speed way before he ever wore Freddie Mercury’s famous shades. Of course, he is better known for his work on television, including Mr. Robot, The Pacific, 24, and his first professional role, an appearance on Gilmore Girls in 2004.

After winning the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor, Malek told the story behind landing that role in the press room. Malek explained that he was able to land his first speaking role by sheer persistence — and then standing up for himself when opportunity finally called him. He revealed:

“I spent years trying to figure it out, and it was [casting director] Mali Finn who said, ‘If you can figure out how to get your headshot and résumé into the hands of the right people, that can be the impetus for getting a job. I woke up every morning and stuffed manila envelopes with my headshot and résumé and sent them to every agent in the city, every casting director for years. One day I got a call from the casting director of the Gilmore Girls. She asked to speak to my agent I said, ‘Speaking.’ She said, ‘Is this really Rami?’ I said, ‘Yes,’” Malek recalled. “She asked if I had an agent. I said, ‘No, but I can work on it.’ She asked if I was SAG. I said, ‘No, but that’s something we can figure out.’ She kept laughing. I had read the submission — it was three lines for a guest-starring role on the show — and I said, ‘You’re laughing now; it will take me 10 minutes to get to the studio.’ So she said, ‘OK, come on in.’”

So when opportunity knocks… be ready to get there in 10 minutes!