Comedy / Film & TV / Music
Omar Regan
born 1975 · stand-up comedian, actor, former rapper
Detroit-born, Highland Park-raised comedian who first did stand-up in Detroit clubs and became a leading voice of Muslim comedy and 'Halalywood' films.
- Born
Detroit, Michigan
age 51- Birth name
- Omar Laquon Regan
- Detroit years
- 1975–1999
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Regan was born in Detroit and raised in Highland Park, and was brought up Muslim from the age of five. He began writing songs at nine and with his brother formed the rap group S.O.A. (Servants of Allah), which by his teens was opening Detroit shows for Redman, Wu-Tang Clan, KRS-One, Royce da 5'9", Proof and Eminem. In 1999 the brothers turned down a single deal from Tommy Boy Records, and that November, while auditioning for film roles, Regan first tried stand-up in Detroit comedy clubs before leaving for California. He worked as Chris Tucker's double in Rush Hour 2, reached the main stage of Hollywood's Comedy Store and won E!'s reality contest Fight for Fame in 2005. He tours internationally with clean, faith-based comedy aimed at building bridges between communities, and makes films under the banner he calls Halalywood, including American Sharia (2015).
Highlights
- Raised in Highland Park; his rap group S.O.A. opened for Eminem and Wu-Tang Clan
- First performed stand-up in Detroit comedy clubs in 1999
- Chris Tucker's double in Rush Hour 2
- Winner of E!'s Fight for Fame (2005); star of American Sharia (2015)