Michael Iskander
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{{BLP sources|date=May 2025}}
{{unreliable sources|date=May 2025}}
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{{Short description|Egyptian actor and singer}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Michael Iskander
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_place = Egypt
| occupation = Actor
Musician
| years_active = 2018–present
| known_for =
| notable_works = House of David
| title =
| website =
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| instruments = {{flatlist|
- Vocals
}}
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
|
}}
}}
Michael Iskander is an Egyptian-born American actor and musician,{{Cite news |last=Boker |first=Ran |date=2024-06-13 |title=Egyptian Michael Iskander to play King David in Amazon series |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/hyml6r00bc |access-date=2025-05-20 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}} best known for his portrayal of King David in the Amazon Prime Video series House of David (2025) and his Broadway debut in the Tony Awards winning musical Kimberly Akimbo.
Early life and education
Iskander was born in Egypt and moved to the United States at the age of nine. After moving, he began learning English, adapting to his new environment through music and performance. His introduction to the performing arts occurred during his sophomore year of high school when a friend encouraged him to audition for the choir. This experience led him to discover a passion for acting and singing, eventually participating in school musicals.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=David |date=2025-02-28 |title=Meet Michael Iskander: 4 Things to Know About House of David Actor |url=https://thedirect.com/article/michael-iskander-house-of-david-actor |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=The Direct |language=en}}
Career
Iskander gained early recognition in 2019 for his performance as Usnavi in a high school production of In the Heights, which earned him the Spirit of the M.A.C.Y. Award for Best Actor and a Special Recognition Award at the Jimmy Awards the same year.
He made his Broadway debut in 2022, portraying Pierce Wheeler in Kimberly Akimbo, a production that went on to win the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2023. His performance was noted as a key part of the show's critical and commercial success.
In 2025, Iskander transitioned to screen acting with his debut role as King David in the Prime Video series House of David,{{Cite web |last=Bui |first=Neil |date=2025-03-06 |title=House of David: Meet Michael Iskander & Martyn Ford (David & Goliath) |url=https://www.dorkaholics.com/house-of-david-meet-michael-iskander-martyn-ford-david-goliath/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Dorkaholics |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Debnath |first=Neela |date=2025-02-27 |title=House of David's Michael Iskander life from Broadway to hidden talent |url=https://www.irishstar.com/culture/entertainment/michael-iskander-actor-34743495 |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Irish Star |language=en}} which follows the biblical figure’s rise from shepherd to monarch. He starred alongside Ali Suliman and Ayelet Zurer.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Monique |title='House of David' Trailer: Michael Iskander Is The Biblical Hero Who Takes Down Goliath In Prime Video Series - Blavity |url=https://blavity.com/entertainment/house-of-david-trailer-prime-video |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Blavity News & Entertainment |language=en}} His portrayal received attention for its emotional depth and sincerity, with several commentators noting a personal connection to the character’s spiritual arc.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-28 |title=Actor's Faith, Biblical Understanding Transformed After Taking Starring Role in 'House of David' |url=https://www.faithwire.com/2025/02/28/actors-faith-biblical-understanding-transformed-after-taking-starring-role-in-house-of-david/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Faithwire |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Schaefer |first=Stephen |date=2025-02-23 |title='House of David' breakthrough role for Michael Iskander |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/02/23/house-of-david-breakthrough-role-for-michael-iskander/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Boston Herald |language=en-US}}
In addition to acting, Iskander is also a singer-songwriter. He released the single "I Know" in 2021 and contributed to the Kimberly Akimbo original Broadway cast recording.{{Cite web |last=Debnath |first=Neela |date=2025-02-27 |title=Meet House of David's Michael Iskander from Broadway debut to landing lead |url=https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/tv/michael-iskander-house-of-david-995934 |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=The Mirror US |language=en}} His collaboration with Gabby Barrett, "Lead Me To The Water," was featured on the album House of David: Season One (Music Inspired by the Prime Video Original Series).{{Cite web |title=Lead Me To The Water by House of David, Gabby Barrett, Michael Iskander {{!}} MultiTracks.com |url=https://www.multitracks.com/songs/House-of-David/House-of-David-(Music-Inspired-By-The-Prime-Video-Original-Series)-Season-One-/Lead-Me-To-The-Water/patches/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=www.multitracks.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-21 |title=Michael Iskander ft Gabby Barrett - Lead Me To The Water |url=https://www.believerscompanion.com/2025/03/michael-iskander-ft-gabby-barrett-lead.html |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Believers Companion}}{{Cite web |last=Mattingly |first=Mallory |date=2025-02-25 |title=HOUSE OF DAVID Soundtrack Stacked With Songs from Christian Music Favorites |url=https://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/house-of-david-soundtrack-stacked-with-christian-music-icons.html |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Movieguide {{!}} The Family Guide to Movies & Entertainment |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Iskander has stated that portraying David in House of David contributed to a deeper understanding of biblical narratives and strengthened his personal faith. He noted that the role helped him see scriptural figures as multifaceted and relatable, offering a more nuanced spiritual perspective.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-03 |title=Actor's Faith, Biblical Understanding Transformed After Taking Starring Role in 'House of David' |url=https://cbn.com/news/entertainment/actors-faith-biblical-understanding-transformed-after-taking-starring-role-house |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=CBN |language=en}}
Filmography
= Television =
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Title ! scope="col" |Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" |Notes |
| 2025–present
|King David |Main role |
Theatre credits
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Title ! scope="col" |Role ! scope="col" style="width:18em" class="unsortable" |Venue ! scope="col" class="unsortable" |Notes |
| 2019
!In the Heights |Usnavi |Booth Theater |Broadway |
| 2022–24
! scope="row" |Kimberly Akimbo |Pierce Wheeler |Broadway |
Discography
= Singles =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title |
| 2021
|I Know |
| 2025
|Lead Me To The Water remix ft. (Gabby Barrett) |
= Film score =
- House of David (2025)
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year !Award !Category !Result ! class="unsortable" |{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| rowspan="2" |2019
|The Spirit of the MACY Awards |Best Actor | {{won}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |{{Cite web |title=Broadway Podcast Network - Michael Iskander |url=https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/people/michael-iskander |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=broadwaypodcastnetwork.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Hailu |first=Selome |date=2024-06-12 |title='House of David' Biblical Drama at Amazon Casts Its David, Goliath, King Saul and More (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/house-of-david-amazon-biblical-drama-cast-goliath-saul-1236034318/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} |
| Jimmy Awards
|Special Recognition Award | {{won}} |