Lebanese-Canadian comedian Dave Merheje on redefining Arab representation in Hollywood

“I just knew I wanted to entertain from a young age like 14… it felt natural,” begins multi-talented comedian and actor Dave Merheje ahead of his stand-up show in London today at The Bill Murray Comedy Club.

The Lebanese-Canadian star has been in hit series like Ramy and Mr D and also co-starred in the film Sometimes I Think About Dying alongside Daisey Ridley released in UK cinemas this April.

Dave speaks about inherently knowing comedy was for him. He fondly reminisces on how along with his sister and cousin, they would create “act outs” and “scenes” for fun, recording them on audio tape.”

“I think we swore on one,” Dave laughs recalling his uncle being “p*ssed” when he heard the recording.

Dave cites the comedy influences in his teens ranging from Eddie Murphy, Andrew Dice Clay and George Carlin. But it was Richard Pryor that stuck out the most to him.

Dave says he appreciated Richard’s “honesty and his vulnerability.” This example served to help him with the anxiety of sharing personal “experiences” in his comedy, describing this process as “therapeutic.”

He hopes by “bringing them (the audience) into that world…hopefully, they can connect with it.”

Converting to Islam

Speaking to Dave about growing up as a Lebanese Maronite Christian in Canada, he revealed To The New Arab exclusively for the first time in a public interview that he has converted to Islam.

“I had Muslim friends (growing up)… they would go to the Mosque… (but) I didn't really know much about the culture and detail until later on in my life, and then you know in the last, I would say 2-3 years, I converted to Islam.”

Dave tells The New Arab he started to learn more about the religion from his friend circle, often asking questions.

“The show (Ramy) was a big influence for me you know learning… the character that I played… introduced me to a bunch of new things.”

Dave goes on to say how he started to pray, spoke with sheikhs and took part in Ramadan which helped his decision to convert.

“It was overtime, it was gradual… I feel it was organic,” he says.

A note on Palestine

Wanting to touch on the issue of Palestine, Dave expressed his hurt and pain over the current situation.

“I feel like there just needs to be more empathy,” he said. 

“It’s so sad what’s happening. Palestinians deserve better treatment. I feel it’s inhumane, we should be ashamed of what’s happening. You feel helpless and it’s just very sad," he added. 

“How are we arguing anything when children and humans are just dying.”

Breaking new ground for Arab actors in Western cinema

By being cast in Sometimes I Think About Dying, Dave is among a small handful of Arab descent actors — including Ramy Youssef, Omar Sharif, Tony Shalhoub, and Ali Suliman — who have played a major role in a film that isn’t just about being Arab or Muslim in Western cinemas.

The impact of this cannot be understated as it helps normalise seeing more Arab and Muslim actors on screen and provides them with wider opportunities to express themselves as individuals. 

It can perhaps also be seen as validating to be selected on your skill set as an actor as opposed to being confined to a role based on appearance.

Responding to this thought Dave said, “It’s always great to be you know, cast or looked at for your skill set… I mean for me to play many different types of roles and tell different types of stories, I just think it's something I've always wanted to do.

“I don't necessarily have to play a Middle Eastern person all the time.”

Dave reflected on the experience of the film acknowledging that “it made me a better actor” and that the process was “a wonderful experience" adding, "I think it’s also a very beautiful film.”

Open to the fact that he has dealt with “insecurities and imposter syndrome” during shooting, Dave points to the fact that he had “never done a movie up until that point, I've only done TV” as a reason.

He refers to the help of “the director, producer, Daisy and other actors” making the overall experience “more comfortable."

He goes on to explain, "I expressed certain things and they were there for me… the more I work on it (imposter syndrome), the better I’m able to deal with it.”

London comeback

Dave is a relatively calm person off-stage, but as a performer, he says he thrives off the crowd.

“I do get more revved up on stage. I mean, I want to. I should… they've come to see me and I love performing.”

The comedian is also appreciative of being able to travel due to stand-up.

“I can visit and perform in different places that I probably wouldn't have been able to go," he says.

"So, I'm very blessed that way.”

With this being Dave’s first time back to London since visiting in 2007, he closes by saying, “Hopefully people can come out and enjoy the show. I'll perform as much as I can!”

To purchase tickets to Dave’s show on Friday you can find them on his website and stay up to date with him on his Instagram page.

Tariq Manshi is a London-based freelance journalist. Previously, he served as the Middle East & North Africa correspondent for Bath Time Magazine and contributed as a football writer at From The Spot