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{{short description|American film director}}

{{Infobox comedian {{Infobox comedian
| name = Omar Regan | name = Omar Regan
| image = | image =
| image_size = 200 | image_size = 220
| caption = | caption =
| pseudonym = | pseudonym =
| birth_name = Omar Laquon Regan | birth_name = Omar Laquon Regan
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|6|12|mf=y}} | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|6|12|mf=y}}
| birth_place = ], ], ] | birth_place = ], ], ]
| death_date = | death_date =
Line 13: Line 15:
| nationality = ] | nationality = ]
| active = 1999–present | active = 1999–present
| genre = ], ], ], ], ] | genre = {{comma separated entries|]|]|]|]|]}}
| subject = ] | subject = ]
| influences = | influences =
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}} }}


'''Omar Laquon Regan''' (born June 12, 1975) is an ] ] ], ] and former ]. '''Omar Laquon Regan''' (born June 12, 1975) is an American ] ], ] and former ].


==Early life== ==Early life==
Regan was born in ], ], ]<ref name="islamicconference">{{cite web |url=http://www.islamicconference.org/artist-panel/omar-regan/|title=Omar Regan|publisher=Islamic World International Conference|date=January 14, 2011|accessdate=September 4, 2011}}</ref> and was raised in ], Michigan to ] parents. Regan did not know his biological father. When he was 5 years old, his mother, Toya Monet Regan (born 1952), ] from ], and married Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah<ref name="splitmoonproductions">{{cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yudmL8hey8|title=My Journey - By Brother Omar Regan|publisher=Splitmoon Productions|date=January 28, 2012|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref> (born Christopher Thomas in 1956).<ref name="detroitnews">{{cite news |last1=Egan|first1=Paul|last2=Oralandar|first2=Brand-Williams|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20091029/METRO01/910290448|title=Detroit mosque leader killed in FBI raid|location=Detroit|work= |publisher='']''|date=October 29, 2009|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref> Subsequently Regan was raised as a ].<ref name="splitmoonproductions"/> Regan was born in ], ], ]<ref name="islamicconference">{{cite web |url=http://www.islamicconference.org/artist-panel/omar-regan/|title=Omar Regan|publisher=Islamic World International Conference|date=January 14, 2011|access-date=September 4, 2011}}</ref> and was raised in ], Michigan to ] parents. Regan did not know his biological father. When he was five years old, his mother, Toya Monet Regan (born 1952), ] from ], and married Iman Lufman Ayman Abdullahi<ref name="splitmoonproductions">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yudmL8hey8|title=My Journey - By Brother Omar Regan|publisher=Splitmoon Productions|date=January 28, 2012|access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref> (born Christopher Thomas in 1956).<ref name="detroitnews">{{cite news |last1=Egan|first1=Paul|last2=Oralandar|first2=Brand-Williams|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20091029/METRO01/910290448|title=Detroit mosque leader killed in FBI raid|location=Detroit|newspaper=]|date=October 29, 2009|access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref> Subsequently, Regan was raised as a ].<ref name="splitmoonproductions"/>


==Career== ==Music career==
⚫ Regan started his career as a musician and started writing songs at the age of nine. He formed the group S.O.A (Servants of Allah) with his brother at the age of 11 and performed their first show at the age of 12. They opened for artists including ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].


⚫ In 1999, they were offered a single record deal with ] but turned it down in hope of a better contract. However, no deal was made and the brothers focused on solo careers.<ref name="standuplive">{{cite web |url=http://standuplive.com/comedian.cfm?id=2481|title= Omar Regan|publisher=StandUpLive :: Comedians|access-date=September 4, 2011}}</ref>
===Music===
⚫ Regan started his career as a musician and started writing songs at the age of 9. He formed the group S.O.A (Slaves of Allah) with his brother at the age of 11 and performed their first show at the age of 12. They opened for artists including ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].


==Stand up career==
⚫ In 1999, they were offered a single record deal with ], however turned it down in hope of a better contract. However no deal was made and the brothers focused on solo careers.<ref name="standuplive">{{cite web |url=http://standuplive.com/comedian.cfm?id=2481|title= Omar Regan|publisher=StandUpLive :: Comedians|accessdate=September 4, 2011}}</ref>
At the age of 19, Regan moved to ] to pursue a career in stand-up comedy and acting.<ref name="arabamericannews">{{cite news|last=Hijazi|first=Samer|url=http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/news/id_9027/Halalywood-comes-to-metro-Detroit-with-film-production-of-%22American-Sharia%22.html|title='Halalywood' comes to metro Detroit with film production of "American Sharia"|newspaper=]|date=July 3, 2014|access-date=February 1, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201021714/http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/news/id_9027/Halalywood-comes-to-metro-Detroit-with-film-production-of-%22American-Sharia%22.html|archive-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref> In November 1999, while auditioning for different film roles, he first performed stand-up comedy at local Detroit comedy clubs.


⚫ In 2005, Regan was on the main stage at The World Famous Comedy Store in ] and got the attention of talents scouts, soon after he appeared on ]'s reality series, '']''. He won and signed a year theatrical contract with Hollywood agency ].<ref name="improv">{{cite web |url=http://www.improv.com/Comedian/Omar-Regan|title=Omar Regan|publisher=Improv.com|access-date=September 4, 2011}}</ref> The new show did not get picked up for a second season and a year later and Regan was representing himself once again.
===Acting===
⚫ He is most known for doubling ] in “'']''.” He has since appeared in films including “''Internet Dating''” and “'']''.”<ref name="huffingtonpost">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/omar-regan#|title=Omar Regan|work= |location= |publisher='']''|date= |accessdate=September 4, 2011}}</ref>


⚫ He is a regular performer in "FUNATICAL: Taking Comedy to the Extreme's We Come in Peace" tour.<ref name="funaticalcomedy">{{cite web |url=http://www.funaticalcomedy.com/comedians.php#c3|title=Comedians|publisher=Funatical - Taking Comedy to the Extreme!|access-date=September 4, 2011}} Omar Regan</ref> He has performed stand up at events across the world including the ] in ],<ref name="GPU10">{{cite web|url=http://www.theglobalunity.com/10/conference/artists-a-performers|title=Artist & Performers|publisher=Global Peace & Unity Event 2010|date=October 2010|access-date=September 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903052739/http://www.theglobalunity.com/10/conference/artists-a-performers|archive-date=September 3, 2011|url-status=dead}} Omar Regan</ref> ] in ],<ref name="muslimfest">{{cite web |url=http://www.muslimfest.com/artists/omar-regan/|title=Omar Regan|publisher=MuslimFest|date=July 23, 2011|access-date=September 4, 2011}}</ref> and ]'s Twins of Faith Conference.<ref name="omarregan">{{cite web |url=http://www.omarregan.com/news.asp?ID=49|title=Omar Regan News|publisher=Omar Regan|year=2012|access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref>
⚫ Regan co-founded a production company called BaniAdam Productions.<ref name="baniadamproductions">{{cite web |url=http://baniadamproductions.com/adam/|title=BaniAdam Productions|date=June 2, 2010|accessdate=September 4, 2011}}</ref><ref name="fazzamin"/>


===Stand up=== ==Acting career==
⚫ Regan is most known for doubling ] in '']''. He has since appeared in films including ''Internet Dating'' and '']''.<ref name="huffingtonpost1">{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/omar-regan#|title=Omar Regan|work=]|access-date=September 4, 2011}}</ref>
In November 1999, Regan first hit the stage as a stand-up comic in local Detroit Comedy Clubs. While auditioning for different movie roles, he performed stand-up comedy.


⚫ He also co-founded a production company called BaniAdam Productions.<ref name="baniadamproductions">{{cite web |url=http://baniadamproductions.com/adam/|title=BaniAdam Productions|date=June 2, 2010|access-date=September 4, 2011}}</ref><ref name="fazzamin">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDSmLRlxDSU|title=Omar Regan 'From Hollywood to Hajj' at Sydney University|publisher=fazzamin|date=May 3, 2011|access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref>
⚫ In 2005, Regan was on the main stage at The World Famous Comedy Store in ] and got the attention of talents scouts, soon after he appeared on ]’s reality series, “'']''.” He won and signed a year theatrical contract with Hollywood agency ].<ref name="improv">{{cite web |url=http://www.improv.com/Comedian/Omar-Regan|title=Omar Regan|publisher=Improv.com|accessdate=September 4, 2011}}</ref> The new show did not get picked up for a second season and a year later and Regan was representing himself once again.


In 2015, he starred alongside ] in the film '']'' as part of his Halalywood project.<ref name="arabamericannews"/><ref name="kickstarter">{{cite web |url=http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/americansharia/american-sharia|title="AMERICAN SHARIA" by Omar Regan — Kickstarter|publisher=Kick Starter|access-date=February 1, 2014}}</ref><ref name="taqwamagazine">{{cite news|last=Hadzic|first=Aldin|url=http://www.taqwamagazine.com/american-sharia-halalywood-trailer/|title=American Sharia & Halalywood (Trailer)|publisher=Taqwa Magazine|date=January 11, 2014|access-date=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201082754/http://taqwamagazine.com/american-sharia-halalywood-trailer/|archive-date=February 1, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
⚫ He is a regular performer in FUNATICAL: Taking Comedy to the Extreme’s We Come in Peace tour.<ref name="funaticalcomedy">{{cite web |url=http://www.funaticalcomedy.com/comedians.php#c3|title=Comedians|publisher=Funatical - Taking Comedy to the Extreme!|date= |accessdate=September 4, 2011}} Omar Regan</ref> He has performed stand up at events across the world including the ] in ],<ref name="GPU10">{{cite web |url=http://www.theglobalunity.com/10/conference/artists-a-performers|title=Artist & Performers|publisher=Global Peace & Unity Event 2010|year=2010|accessdate=September 4, 2011}} Omar Regan</ref> ] in ],<ref name="muslimfest">{{cite web |url=http://www.muslimfest.com/artists/omar-regan/|title=Omar Regan|publisher=MuslimFest|date=July 23, 2011|accessdate=September 4, 2011}}</ref> and ]'s Twins of Faith Conference in ].<ref name="omarregan">{{cite web |url=http://www.omarregan.com/news.asp?ID=49|title=Omar Regan News|publisher=Omar Regan|year=2012|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref>


===Other activities=== ==Other activities==
Regan is a member of the Canadian Dawah Association as a Program Developer for Celebrity Relations.<ref name="cdadawah">{{cite web |url=http://www.cdadawah.com/?p=240|title=Omar Regan|publisher=CDA Dawah|date=April 23, 2009|accessdate=September 4, 2011}}</ref> Regan is a member of the Canadian Dawah Association as a Program Developer for Celebrity Relations.<ref name="cdadawah">{{cite web |url=http://www.cdadawah.com/?p=240|title=Omar Regan|publisher=CDA Dawah|date=April 23, 2009|access-date=September 4, 2011}}</ref>


Regan also works as a motivational and public speaker, delivering his talk entitled “From Hollywood To Hajj.”<ref name="huffingtonpost">{{cite news |last=Azhar|first=Hamdan|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hamdan-a-yousuf/death-of-a-detroit-imam-l_b_346633.html|title=Death of a Detroit Imam Leaves Many Questions Unanswered|location=New York|work= |publisher='']''|date=November 5, 2009|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref> He visits schools and conducts family counseling and marriage workshops.<ref name=" standuplive "/> Regan also works as a motivational and public speaker, delivering his talk entitled "From Hollywood To Hajj".<ref name="huffingtonpost2">{{cite news |last=Azhar|first=Hamdan|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hamdan-a-yousuf/death-of-a-detroit-imam-l_b_346633.html|title=Death of a Detroit Imam Leaves Many Questions Unanswered|location=New York|work=]|date=November 5, 2009|access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref> He visits schools and conducts family counseling and marriage workshops.<ref name=" standuplive "/>


==Comedy style== ==Comedy style==
Regan uses entertainment and humor to promote tolerance and diversity, and to build bridges across racial, religious, and social divides.<ref name="islamicconference"/> The Islamic World International Conference states that Regan uses entertainment and humor to promote tolerance and diversity, and aims to build bridges across racial, religious, and social divides.<ref name="islamicconference"/>


==Personal life== ==Personal life==
Regan got married at the age of 17 and got married again at the age of 19, he has three children from his first two marriages.<ref name="splitmoonproductions"/><ref name="cdadawah"/> At the age of 20, Regan divorced both his wives. In 1999, Regan left Detroit for ]. He raised his three children alone for four and a half years in a one bedroom apartment in Hollywood.<ref name="fazzamin">{{cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDSmLRlxDSU|title=Omar Regan 'From Hollywood to Hajj' at Sydney University|publisher=fazzamin|date=May 3, 2011|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref> Since 2003, Regan has resided in ], California.<ref name="huffingtonpost"/> Regan got married at the age of 17 and got married again at the age of 19, he has three children from his first two marriages.<ref name="splitmoonproductions"/><ref name="cdadawah"/> At the age of 20, Regan divorced both his wives. In 1999, Regan left Detroit for ].<ref name="fazzamin"/> Regan described this "as a very hard and an expensive move and slept at Grand Central bus station for some nights or sometimes there were friends in the same acting boat as me, so they would share their floor with me."<ref name="asianworldnews">{{cite news |last=Malik|first=Aneesa|url=http://www.asianworldnews.co.uk/interviews/american-sharia-coming-to-a-screen-near-you/|title=American Sharia- Coming to a screen near you!|publisher=Asian World News|date=February 16, 2015|access-date=June 1, 2015}}</ref> He raised his three children alone for four and a half years in a one bedroom apartment in ].<ref name="fazzamin"/>


In December 2008, Regan performed ] (the largest Islamic pilgrimage to ], ]).<ref name="AlJazeeraEnglish">{{cite news |last= |first=|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3epjNnT9K_E|title=From Hollywood to Hajj - 6 Dec 2008|work= |location= |publisher=''Al Jazeera English''|date=December 6, 2008|accessdate=1 February 2013}}</ref> Since 2003, Regan has lived in ], California.<ref name="huffingtonpost2"/> In December 2007<ref name="asiansunday">{{cite news |last=Khan|first=Aalia|url=http://www.asiansunday.co.uk/american-sharia/|title=American Sharia – Muslim comedy film of the year|publisher=Asian Sunday Newspaper|date=January 26, 2015|access-date=April 1, 2015}}</ref> and 2008, Regan performed ] (the largest Islamic pilgrimage to ], ]).<ref name="AlJazeeraEnglish">{{cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3epjNnT9K_E|title=From Hollywood to Hajj - 6 Dec 2008|publisher=Al Jazeera English|date=December 6, 2008|access-date=1 February 2013}}</ref>


On October 28, 2009, Regan’s step-father Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah, 53, ] and ] of Masjid Al-Haqq in Detroit, was shot twenty times and killed during an ] raid of a warehouse in ], Michigan. Along with 10 other men, he was suspected of charges that included conspiracy to sell stolen goods, illegal possession and sale of firearms, mail fraud and altering numbers on license plates.<ref name="detroitnews"/><ref name="huffingtonpost">{{cite news |last=Azhar|first=Hamdan|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hamdan-a-yousuf/21-shots-and-the-pursuit_b_497689.html|title=21 Shots and the Pursuit of Justice: An Imam Dies in Michigan|location=New York|work= |publisher='']''|date=March 14, 2010|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name="altmuslim">{{cite news |last=Laird|first=Heather|url=http://www.altmuslim.com/a/a/a/3370|title=Imam Luqman Abdullah killing: Condemn that which is condemnable|location= |work= |publisher=''altmuslim''|date=October 30, 2009|accessdate=September 4, 2011}}</ref><ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |last=Saulny|first=Susan|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/31/us/31dearborn.html?_r=0|title=Prayers and Criticism in Wake of Detroit Imam’s Killing by F..I.|location=New York|work= |publisher='']''|date=October 30, 2009|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name="muslimmedianetwork">{{cite news |last=Abdullah|first=Aslam|url=http://muslimmedianetwork.com/mmn/?p=5279|title=Why Was Imam Luqman Killed?|location= |work= |publisher='']''|date=November 5, 2009|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name="crescent-online">{{cite news |last=Mahmoud|first=Tahir|url=http://www.crescent-online.net/2009/11/fbi-death-squads-kill-imam-luqman-abdullah-after-two-years-of-spying-with-agent-provocateurs-tahir-mahmoud-2360-articles.html|title=FBI death squads kill Imam Luqman Abdullah after two years of spying with agent-provocateurs|location= |work= |publisher='']''|date=November 2009|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name="voiceofdetroit">{{cite news |last=Bukowski|first=Diane|url=http://voiceofdetroit.net/2010/10/04/cox-exonerates-fbi-in-imam-luqman-abdullah%E2%80%99s-murder/|title=Cox exonerates FBI in Imam Luqman Abdullah’s murder|location=Detroit|work= |publisher=''Voice of Detroit''|date=April 10, 2010|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref> On October 28, 2009, Regan's step-father Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah, 53, Imam and ] of Masjid Al-Haqq in Detroit, was shot twenty times and killed during an ] raid of a warehouse in ], Michigan. Along with 10 other men, he was suspected of charges that included conspiracy to sell stolen goods, illegal possession and sale of firearms, mail fraud and altering numbers on license plates.<ref name="detroitnews"/><ref name="huffingtonpost3">{{cite news |last=Azhar|first=Hamdan|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hamdan-a-yousuf/21-shots-and-the-pursuit_b_497689.html|title=21 Shots and the Pursuit of Justice: An Imam Dies in Michigan|location=New York|work=]|date=March 14, 2010|access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name="altmuslim">{{cite news |last=Laird|first=Heather|url=http://www.altmuslim.com/a/a/a/3370|title=Imam Luqman Abdullah killing: Condemn that which is condemnable|publisher=altmuslim|date=October 30, 2009|access-date=September 4, 2011}}</ref><ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |last=Saulny|first=Susan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/31/us/31dearborn.html?_r=0|title=Prayers and Criticism in Wake of Detroit Imam's Killing by F..I.|location=New York|newspaper=]|date=October 30, 2009|access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name="muslimmedianetwork">{{cite news |last=Abdullah|first=Aslam|url=http://muslimmedianetwork.com/mmn/?p=5279|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202100757/http://muslimmedianetwork.com/mmn/?p=5279|url-status=usurped|archive-date=February 2, 2014|title=Why Was Imam Luqman Killed?|publisher=]|date=November 5, 2009|access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name="crescent-online">{{cite news |last=Mahmoud|first=Tahir|url=http://www.crescent-online.net/2009/11/fbi-death-squads-kill-imam-luqman-abdullah-after-two-years-of-spying-with-agent-provocateurs-tahir-mahmoud-2360-articles.html|title=FBI death squads kill Imam Luqman Abdullah after two years of spying with agent-provocateurs|publisher=]|date=November 2009|access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name="voiceofdetroit">{{cite news |last=Bukowski|first=Diane|url=http://voiceofdetroit.net/2010/10/04/cox-exonerates-fbi-in-imam-luqman-abdullah%E2%80%99s-murder/|title=Cox exonerates FBI in Imam Luqman Abdullah's murder|location=Detroit|publisher=Voice of Detroit|date=April 10, 2010|access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref> Regan publicly denounced the government's actions.<ref name="arabamericannews"/>


==Filmography== ==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%;"
⚫ |-
|- bgcolor="#B0C4DE" align="center"
! Year ! Year
! Title ! Title
Line 93: Line 95:
| |
|- |-
| rowspan="2"| 2012 | rowspan="1"| 2013
| ''Crossroads''
⚫ | Cat Daddy
⚫ |
⚫ |-
| ''Five Thirteen'' | ''Five Thirteen''
| Omar | Omar
⚫ |
| |
|- |-
| rowspan="2"| 2014 | rowspan="2"| 2014
| ''American Shariah'' | ''Crossroads''
⚫ | Cat Daddy
⚫ |
⚫ |-
| '']''
| Mohammed | Mohammed
| |
|-} |}


==See also== ==See also==
Line 116: Line 117:


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|2}} {{Reflist|2}}


==External links== ==External links==
* *{{Official website|http://www.omarregan.com/index.html}}
*{{IMDb name|id=2583791|name=Omar Regan}} *{{IMDb name|id=2583791|name=Omar Regan}}
*{{Twitter|omarregan|Omar Regan}} *{{Twitter}}
* on '']'' * on '']''
* * on Laugh Stub
*. ''SuhaibWebb.com''. December 8, 2009 *. ''SuhaibWebb.com''. December 8, 2009


{{authority control}}
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. -->

| NAME = Regan, Omar
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Reagan, Omar
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Stand-up comedian and actor
| DATE OF BIRTH = June 12, 1975
| PLACE OF BIRTH = ], ], ]
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Regan, Omar}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Regan, Omar}}
] ]
] ]
⚫ ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
⚫ ]
] ]
⚫ ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
⚫ ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 04:58, 21 December 2024

American film director
Omar Regan
Birth nameOmar Laquon Regan
Born (1975-06-12) June 12, 1975 (age 49)
Detroit, Michigan, United States
MediumStand-up, Film
NationalityAmerican
Years active1999–present
GenresObservational comedy, Impressions, Musical comedy, Documentary, Sketch comedy
Subject(s)Islamic humour
Websitewww.omarregan.com

Omar Laquon Regan (born June 12, 1975) is an American stand-up comedian, actor and former musician.

Early life

Regan was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States and was raised in Highland Park, Michigan to African American parents. Regan did not know his biological father. When he was five years old, his mother, Toya Monet Regan (born 1952), converted to Islam from Christianity, and married Iman Lufman Ayman Abdullahi (born Christopher Thomas in 1956). Subsequently, Regan was raised as a Muslim.

Music career

Regan started his career as a musician and started writing songs at the age of nine. He formed the group S.O.A (Servants of Allah) with his brother at the age of 11 and performed their first show at the age of 12. They opened for artists including Redman, Method Man, Wu-Tang Clan, KRS-One, Royce da 5'9", Proof, and Eminem.

In 1999, they were offered a single record deal with Tommy Boy Records but turned it down in hope of a better contract. However, no deal was made and the brothers focused on solo careers.

Stand up career

At the age of 19, Regan moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in stand-up comedy and acting. In November 1999, while auditioning for different film roles, he first performed stand-up comedy at local Detroit comedy clubs.

In 2005, Regan was on the main stage at The World Famous Comedy Store in Hollywood and got the attention of talents scouts, soon after he appeared on E!'s reality series, Fight for Fame. He won and signed a year theatrical contract with Hollywood agency ACME Talent Agency. The new show did not get picked up for a second season and a year later and Regan was representing himself once again.

He is a regular performer in "FUNATICAL: Taking Comedy to the Extreme's We Come in Peace" tour. He has performed stand up at events across the world including the Global Peace and Unity Event in London, MuslimFest in Ontario, and Mercy Mission's Twins of Faith Conference.

Acting career

Regan is most known for doubling Chris Tucker in Rush Hour 2. He has since appeared in films including Internet Dating and Life is Hot in Cracktown.

He also co-founded a production company called BaniAdam Productions.

In 2015, he starred alongside Baba Ali in the film American Sharia as part of his Halalywood project.

Other activities

Regan is a member of the Canadian Dawah Association as a Program Developer for Celebrity Relations.

Regan also works as a motivational and public speaker, delivering his talk entitled "From Hollywood To Hajj". He visits schools and conducts family counseling and marriage workshops.

Comedy style

The Islamic World International Conference states that Regan uses entertainment and humor to promote tolerance and diversity, and aims to build bridges across racial, religious, and social divides.

Personal life

Regan got married at the age of 17 and got married again at the age of 19, he has three children from his first two marriages. At the age of 20, Regan divorced both his wives. In 1999, Regan left Detroit for California. Regan described this "as a very hard and an expensive move and slept at Grand Central bus station for some nights or sometimes there were friends in the same acting boat as me, so they would share their floor with me." He raised his three children alone for four and a half years in a one bedroom apartment in Hollywood.

Since 2003, Regan has lived in Los Angeles, California. In December 2007 and 2008, Regan performed Hajj (the largest Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia).

On October 28, 2009, Regan's step-father Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah, 53, Imam and prayer leader of Masjid Al-Haqq in Detroit, was shot twenty times and killed during an FBI raid of a warehouse in Dearborn, Michigan. Along with 10 other men, he was suspected of charges that included conspiracy to sell stolen goods, illegal possession and sale of firearms, mail fraud and altering numbers on license plates. Regan publicly denounced the government's actions.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2007 Black Superman Carl
2008 Internet Dating Ben
2009 Life Is Hot in Cracktown Cremont
2011 Strongmen Alex Ross
2013 Five Thirteen Omar
2014 Crossroads Cat Daddy
American Sharia Mohammed

See also

References

  1. ^ "Omar Regan". Islamic World International Conference. January 14, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  2. ^ "My Journey - By Brother Omar Regan". Splitmoon Productions. January 28, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  3. ^ Egan, Paul; Oralandar, Brand-Williams (October 29, 2009). "Detroit mosque leader killed in FBI raid". The Detroit News. Detroit. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  4. ^ "Omar Regan". StandUpLive :: Comedians. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  5. ^ Hijazi, Samer (July 3, 2014). "'Halalywood' comes to metro Detroit with film production of "American Sharia"". The Arab American News. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  6. "Omar Regan". Improv.com. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  7. "Comedians". Funatical - Taking Comedy to the Extreme!. Retrieved September 4, 2011. Omar Regan
  8. "Artist & Performers". Global Peace & Unity Event 2010. October 2010. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2011. Omar Regan
  9. "Omar Regan". MuslimFest. July 23, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  10. "Omar Regan News". Omar Regan. 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  11. "Omar Regan". The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  12. "BaniAdam Productions". June 2, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  13. ^ "Omar Regan 'From Hollywood to Hajj' at Sydney University". fazzamin. May 3, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  14. ""AMERICAN SHARIA" by Omar Regan — Kickstarter". Kick Starter. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  15. Hadzic, Aldin (January 11, 2014). "American Sharia & Halalywood (Trailer)". Taqwa Magazine. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  16. ^ "Omar Regan". CDA Dawah. April 23, 2009. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  17. ^ Azhar, Hamdan (November 5, 2009). "Death of a Detroit Imam Leaves Many Questions Unanswered". The Huffington Post. New York. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  18. Malik, Aneesa (February 16, 2015). "American Sharia- Coming to a screen near you!". Asian World News. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  19. Khan, Aalia (January 26, 2015). "American Sharia – Muslim comedy film of the year". Asian Sunday Newspaper. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  20. "From Hollywood to Hajj - 6 Dec 2008". Al Jazeera English. December 6, 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  21. Azhar, Hamdan (March 14, 2010). "21 Shots and the Pursuit of Justice: An Imam Dies in Michigan". The Huffington Post. New York. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  22. Laird, Heather (October 30, 2009). "Imam Luqman Abdullah killing: Condemn that which is condemnable". altmuslim. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  23. Saulny, Susan (October 30, 2009). "Prayers and Criticism in Wake of Detroit Imam's Killing by F..I." The New York Times. New York. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  24. Abdullah, Aslam (November 5, 2009). "Why Was Imam Luqman Killed?". The Muslim Observer. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  25. Mahmoud, Tahir (November 2009). "FBI death squads kill Imam Luqman Abdullah after two years of spying with agent-provocateurs". Crescent International. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  26. Bukowski, Diane (April 10, 2010). "Cox exonerates FBI in Imam Luqman Abdullah's murder". Detroit: Voice of Detroit. Retrieved February 1, 2013.

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