Bio
Hisham Tawfiq is an American actor best known for his role as Dembe, a Muslim former freedom fighter from South Sudan who at some stage was trafficked by the Eberhardt Cartel only for Red to facilitate his escape, in the crime drama television series The Blacklist.
Hailing from Harlemworld, New York, Hisham discovered his passion for The Arts while performing the poem "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" by Poet Laureate Maya Angelou, in a High School English class.
Hisham studied at the Negro Ensemble Theatre Company, which has brought forth such Notable Actors as Denzel Washington, Ossie Davis and Phylicia Rashad. He also studied with acting coach Susan Batson, known for coaching actors such as Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly and Mary T. Boyer.
Hisham calls on his life experiences and training to inform his choices as an actor, be it as a marine in Desert Storm, a correction officer on Sing Sing or as one of New York's bravest NYFD.
Hisham's work in regional theatre at The Arkansas Rep includes their productions of Intimate Apparel and his dream role of Walter Lee in A Raisin in The Sun.
Hisham snagged a series regular role on BET's drama Gun Hill, starring Larenz Tate, Tawny Cypress and Aisha Hinds. As Captain Sanford on the show, Hisham commands a counter crime task force.
He has also guest starred in the FX drama Lights Out, the NBC dramas Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Kings and The Guiding Light.