Faces of Xavier: Malek Hanna '99

Sixteen years after he starred in his final production on 16th Street, actor-producer Malek Hanna '99 is hitting his stride in Hollywood and around the globe. After taking a star turn as a contestant on The Voice-Arabia (the Middle Eastern version of the popular singing competition, boasting 110 million viewers), Mr. Hanna—who is of Lebanese heritage—has several projects in the works, including a TV pilot, The HOA, starring Saturday Night Live alums Cheri Oteri and Horatio Sanz.

Mr. Hanna’s production company, Axial Pictures, produced the pilot, in which he stars as Ms. Oteri’s personal assistant. When the pilot was screened at the New York Television Festival last week, one of his favorite former teachers, Dee Kittany, attended to show her support.

Malek Hanna '99 with his former teacher, Dee Kittany.

The Bay Ridge native, who also has three films in the works, credits Xavier with shaping his interest in performance. In addition to running track and working on the yearbook during his years on 16th Street, he served as cantor for the Xavier choir and starred in school productions of Man of La Mancha, South Pacific, Camelot, Jesus Christ Superstar, and A Man for All Seasons, among others. 

“I consider it a gift and a blessing that I got to be part of this community,” he said. “Going to Xavier and later to Fordham gave me the foundation that’s kept me grounded.”

To learn more about Malek Hanna, visit malekhanna.com.