Hisham Tawfiq Biography
Hisham Tawfiq is an American actor who is best known for playing Dembe Zuma, part of the security detail and a very close friend to Raymond “Red” Reddington in NBC’s The Blacklist.
Tawfiq discovered his love of the arts while in high school while performing the poem “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou. He studied at the Negro Ensemble Company, known for educating actors such as Ossie Davis and Denzel Washington. He also studied with coach Susan Batson.
Before pursuing a full acting career, he served in the U.S. Marines, deployed during Operation Desert Storm. From 1994 to 1996, he worked as a corrections officer in the Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York. While pursuing his acting career, he as well served as a firefighter for 20 years with the New York City Fire Department.
Hisham Tawfiq Acting Career
Tawfiq appeared on Intimate Apparel and played Walter Lee in a production A Raisin in the Sun, which he has said to be his dream role. On television, he has appeared in Lights Out, Law & Order spin-offs Special Victims Unit and Criminal Intent, Kings, 30 Rock, Golden Boy, and the 2013 NBC remake of Ironside. He starred in the BET film Gun Hill as Capt. Sanford, commander of a counter-crime task force. Currently, he plays Dembe in NBC’s The Blacklist. Starting with season 3, he was promoted to series regular.
Hisham Tawfiq Age
Tawfiq is 51 years old as of 2021. He was born on May 17, 1970, in New York City, New York, United States. He celebrates his birthday on the 17th of May every year.
Hisham Tawfiq Height
Tawfiq stands at a height of 6 feet tall and weighs about 192 lb / 87 kg.
Hisham Tawfiq Family
He was born and raised by his father who is Muslim and a strict religious leader in his community.
Hisham Tawfiq Wife
Tawfiq is married to Spirit Tawfiq. He has however not disclosed much information about his wife.
Hisham Tawfiq Net Worth
Tawfiq has an estimated net worth of between $1 Million – $5 Million which he has earned through his career as an actor.
Hisham Tawfiq The Blacklist
Klattenhoff plays the main role on the NBC drama series The Blacklist. He plays the role of Dembe Zuma: Reddington’s bodyguard and confidant. The show follows Raymond “Red” Reddington (James Spader), a former U.S. Navy officer turned high-profile criminal who voluntarily surrenders to the FBI after eluding capture for decades. It also stars Diego Klattenhoff, Amir Arison, Megan Boone, Laura Sohn, and Harry Lennix.
Hisham Tawfiq Fire Fighter
Tawfiq was a firefighter for 20 years, he says that he was very happy when he received the invitation to be a firefighter, he saw it as an opportunity to give back to the community of Harlem.
Hisham Tawfiq Leaving Blacklist
With season 9 on air, there have been speculations that Hisham’s character Dembe, might be written out.
The table below answers some of the frequently asked questions about Tawfiq.
| Who is Tawfiq? | He is an American actor |
| Age | 51 years old as of 2021 |
| Height | 6 feet |
| Spouse | Spirit Tawfiq |
| Salary | Not Available |
| Net Worth | $1 Million – $5 Million |
Hisham Tawfiq Movies and Tv Shows
Tawfiq Movies
- 2009: Notorious
- 2010: Say Grace Before Drowning – playing a role as Chris
- 2010: Counterfeit – playing a role as Malik
- 2010: Contact Zone – playing the role as Prince
- 2010: Five Minarets in New York
- 2011: Crazy Beats Strong Every Time – playing a role as Kofi
- 2013: Dead Man Downplaying a role as Jamaican Mike
- 2014: Gun Hill – playing a role as Capt. Sanford
Hisham Tawfiq Tv Shows
- 2007–2008: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
- 2009: Kings
- 2010: Law & Order: Criminal Intent
- 2011: Lights Out
- 2012: 30 Rock
- 2013: Golden Boy
- 2013: Ironside
- 2013–present: The Blacklist – playing a role as Dembe Zuma