Lee Majdoub

RIVAL MAGAZINE JUNE 2022

RIVAL MAGAZINE JUNE 2022

RIVAL MAGAZINE JUNE 2022

RIVAL MAGAZINE JUNE 2022

RIVAL MAGAZINE JUNE 2022

RIVAL MAGAZINE JUNE 2022

RIVAL MAGAZINE JUNE 2022

RIVAL MAGAZINE JUNE 2022

Lee Majdoub By: Ashley Vitarelli

Starring in a movie that grosses over $300 million globally is a feat that most actors only dream of achieving. For many, it’s a goal, a desire, and a career North Star. But for Lee Majdoub, it has been his reality — twice. The incredibly talented actor can be seen portraying Agent Stone in the hit film Sonic the Hedgehog and its sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 2, with the latter continuing to dazzle and delight at the box office today. Outfitted with a formidable resume, phenomenal talent, and undeniable star power, all eyes are on Lee Majdoub as he excels, excites, and electrifies the entertainment industry.

“I was a baby when we left Lebanon, so I don’t remember the war,” Majdoub reflects on his childhood and being born in Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War. “We moved around quite a bit when I was growing up. I learned numerous languages and learned to adapt to new surroundings, which I think has helped me as an actor.” Lee Majdoub continues to recall his childhood and how it impacted the person and actor he is today. “I was always creative,” he explains. “I was quite artistic and wanted to pursue Product Design in college. As a kid, I had many dream jobs. I wanted to be a professional athlete more than anything. I also wanted to be like my favorite anime characters growing up: Vegeta from Dragon Ball Z and Shiryu from Saint Seiya.

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Such creativity inherent in every fiber of Majdoub’s being would soon become even more apparent, first to one of his sisters, and then to fans all around the world. “One of my sisters persuaded me to take classes on the side while studying in college,” Majdoub says of taking his first acting class at age 20. “She knew it was something I would be drawn to. I learned that I wanted to connect and that I have a lot to offer the world, whether it’s through the roles I play or connecting with people on set, or connecting with fans.” From there, it wasn’t long before Lee Majdoub began making his mark on the industry, landing his first break in the business through booking a role in the 2007 series Bionic Women. “It felt incredible to book that job,” he shares. “I felt like it was the beginning of my professional journey.”

Indeed, it was just the beginning for Majdoub and his career, which was about to level up in remarkable ways thanks to one word: Sonic. “It was like any other audition,” Majdoub says of the audition process for Sonic the Hedgehog. “I went to the casting office in Vancouver, auditioned for a couple of scenes, and that was it.” From there, the rest was history. “A few weeks later my agent called me to tell me I had booked the role. I couldn’t believe it.” Moreover, when that same phone rang a few years later with word on the film’s sequel, Majdoub was elated and overjoyed. “I was so happy to be invited back for the sequel,” he reflects. “I was quite emotional when I got the call asking me to come back.”

Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 feature such star-studded casts, including Jim Carrey, James Marsden, Ben Schwartz, Idris Elba, and countless others — an impressive ensemble that was not lost on Majdoub, who loved sharing the screen with such talented creatives. “I mainly worked with the wonderful Jim Carrey,” he explains. “We have so much fun together. The rest of the cast I either met on set when we were filming different scenes or at the screening events. They’re all so wonderful. I think we’re truly blessed to have such a great cast in these movies. Everyone truly cares. We’re all big fans of each other and you can tell.” Indeed, that love, admiration, and respect between actors is not only palpable on screen, but also prevalent off camera, as well. “I have so many great memories,” Majdoub reflects. “The fun we have, the laughs we share, the collaboration, coming up with fun ideas with Jim. I got to make Jeff Fowler laugh quite a bit when we filmed Sonic 2, and that was so gratifying. His laugh is incredibly infectious, so when he would break, we would all break. So much fun — nothing like making people laugh.”

Majdoub’s fanbase extends far beyond that of making Jeff Fowler laugh on set, indeed, he is adored by fans all over the world for his portrayal of Agent Stone, a fact that is not lost on him. “It’s so cool, isn’t it?” Majdoub gushes. “The fans have been absolutely wonderful. I still have trouble taking it all in and accepting it as reality. Surreal. Truly surreal.” As for what is the most rewarding part of bringing Agent Stone to life on screen, that question is far more difficult for Lee Majdoub to answer. “It’s hard to pick one thing that is most rewarding about playing Agent Stone,” he explains. “The deep connection fans feel to Stone, working on movies based on the games I grew up loving, working with Jim Carrey, working on a large studio movie with Paramount, working with the incredible team involved in bringing these movies to life. The cast, the crew, all of it has been so rewarding.”

Beyond his work in the Sonic franchise, Majdoub can also been seen in The CW’s hit show The 100, as well as lending his voice to projects such as Need for Speed: Playback and FIFA 18, proving time and time again that his talent knows no bounds. “I loved working on The 100,” Majdoub shares. “It was a show I had hoped to be a part of for a long time. Some friends were working on the show, and we all would talk about how cool it would be if I could join.” As for his voiceover experiences, Majdoub recalls them with a similar feeling: love and admiration. “I love voiceover work,” he shares. “It definitely works a different creative muscle. With voiceover, you actually have to use your body and facial expressions a lot more than you would think. It helps with conveying vocal emotions or intentions.”

In addition to being an absolute force to be reckoned with in front of the camera, Lee Majdoub is also a powerhouse off camera, particularly in his promotion of causes that are near to his heart, such as representation and mental health. “I’m passionate about a lot of things when it comes to representation and the challenges that come with being deemed ‘different’ or ‘weird,’” Majdoub reflects. “As a kid, I got picked on a lot for the way I looked and acted. On top of that, I experienced a lot of prejudice and racism after September 11, 2001. I struggled with my identity a lot. Through years of continuous self-work, I’ve been healing and now I try to shed light and support communities that need it. I think there’s a lot of work to be done in general. We’re still seeing a lot of Ageism, Ableism, Racism, Homophobia, Transphobia, and more. All of us deserve the right to live our lives in peace and free from fear. With regards to mental health, I’ve always wanted people to know that we all struggle in some way, shape, or form. I used to look at star athletes, actors, musicians, etc. as these beings of perfection because that’s what we used to be shown. So when I would struggle, I would think something was wrong with me and only me. It’s great to see how many more people are speaking about their struggles. I think it helps people feel less alone in this life.”

With such profound musings, Lee Majdoub is clearly an inspiration to many, while also still being inspired by so many powerful people in his personal life. “Jim Carrey has inspired me in so many ways, both creatively and personally,” he shares. “Robin Williams was always inspiring, as well as Gene Wilder and Peter Sellers. I find myself drawn to actors who could bring such joy to the world, and at the same time convey heartache and pain. I have an endless list of people that have inspired me. My parents inspire me. What they lived through and how hard they worked to bless us with the life they blessed us with is incredible. What motivates me is my pursuit of connection and wanting to inspire people. I want to connect with as many people as possible. I want to continue to portray characters who give a voice to people who feel voiceless. I want to continue to inspire.”

As he reflects on his current position in the industry, Majdoub has an insight and appreciation that is beyond perceptive. “Right now I’m just taking it all in,” he says of the success following Sonic the Hedgehog 2. “The response to Sonic has been incredible. I experienced a big milestone this time around with being a part of the marketing and press. It has all been a wild dream. To see that poster of Agent Stone made me emotional in so many great ways. Growing up, I don’t remember ever seeing anyone who looked like me on a poster.” Looking to the future, he has big plans. “I want to work with so many people, I want to work on so many things. I want to do it all.” Indeed, with such impressive accomplishments already in his repertoire, selecting a favorite moment is likely a challenge, and yet for Majdoub, he is able to synthesize his experiences in such compelling ways. “My favorite part is being able to express myself in so many different and fun ways,” he notes. “And connecting with people on so many levels.”

In continuing his reflections on his career, Majdoub generously offers advice to actors hoping to achieve what he has, as well as messages to his former and future self. “Go for it,” he says to aspiring creatives. “If you love it and you’re passionate about it, go for it. Try not to worry about giving yourself a timeline. There’s no control over when opportunities will pop up. Heal your wounds. Work on yourself. The more you learn about yourself, the more you can bring to your performances. I’ve been extremely fortunate to learn multiple languages and experience different cultures. I think what I continue to learn is that I’m me. There’s no way to define me. I am me. You are you. We’re all connected by love and energy, and we all have our own experiences. If we try to define it, I think we take away from those experiences in life and how they affect and inform us. I would say to my younger self, you are wonderful, you are perfect, weird is great. You’re going to go through a lot of tough times, life is going to be hard, people are going to be mean. But you are going to do so many wonderful things and you’re going to help so many people because of your experiences. Whenever times get tough, I’m here. I love you. Oh! By the way, you’re going to be an actor and work with Ace Ventura! How cool is that? And to my future self, thank you.”

Lee Majdoub is many things, a skilled actor, talented voice artist, powerful speaker, and gifted creative. To simplify, Lee Majdoub is a star — one that the entire world is watching. “It’s all about connection,” he says of the power of acting and the value of storytelling. “I think great storytelling and great performances can help heal the world.” Indeed, taking Majdoub’s sentiments into account, he is doing more than just delivering powerful performances every time he graces the screen, he is healing the world.

Photographer: Heather Koepp Grooming: Robert Bryan Wardrobe: Morgan Wynn