Rami Malek's parents in Egypt celebrate his victory at the Oscar

CAIRO (Reuters) – The parents of the actor Rami Malek turned to Egyptian TV screens to cheer the national football team, but they were celebrating their first Oscar for Best Actor for his role in the film "Bohemian Saga" (Bohimian Rhapsody).

Fadi, his 24-year-old cousin, said his uncles, cousins, sons and daughters met at the family home in the village of Veltaus in Minya province, 265 km south of Cairo, to watch Oscars live in Los Angeles.

When Rami was named best actor laureate, family members laughed and kissed each other.

"As if we were watching Egypt score a goal to win the Cup … it's not a win for the family, but for Egypt," Fadi told Reuters by phone.

The parents contacted Rami's mother in the United States to congratulate her on her son's victory and invitation to visit Egypt.

Another family member, Rami, said that Rami Malik's mother had confirmed that she was eager to visit Egypt and her son.

Malik, 37, was born in Los Angeles and is based in Upper Egypt. Oscar nominations have been awarded in recent weeks after winning the Golden Globe Awards, the Screen Actors Guild and the British BAFTA Award for his role in "The Bohemian Saga" featuring Freddie Mercury, the singer of the late Queen Band.

"I am a first generation American and part of my story is written now," said Malik at the time of receiving the award.

Rummy, also in his thirties, said Malik's talent was clear during his first visit to Egypt in high school in the 1990s, after his family emigrated to the United States in 1979.

"I did not imagine at the time that Rami would become a world-renowned actor, but his passion for cinema was clear."