Malek 's early roles established him as a character actor . He has remarked that he enjoys the auditioning process , sees it as a " proving ground to test things out " , and has created so many diverse characters for auditions that he wishes he could collect them as a package to show to others . However , after his success with '' Mr. Robot '' , he began to be regarded as a " leading man " , though an " unconventional " one . He is portrayed by comedian Pete Davidson in '' Saturday Night Live '' sketches parodying the character . In 2017 , Malek accepted an invitation to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , among 774 new members invited as part of the Academy 's efforts to diversify its members after criticism over the lack of diversity of the 88th Academy Awards . To prepare for a role , he describes an initial stage of panic , followed by research into the character to create a world for that person . This includes finding music he thinks the character would listen to , as well as creating and imagining past memories for that person to the point he has to perform as them . His most creative times are mornings and evenings . Malek likes to do experimental takes until he finds a take that will work . Director Sam Esmail noted that Malek is often dissatisfied with his work even when the director feels he has completed a perfect take . Because of their mutual insistence on getting a scene the best it can be , Esmail considers Malek a " co-creator " . The actor has also been noted for his physical transformations to play his characters . He lost significant weight to play Elliot Alderson , Freddie Mercury , and Snafu Shelton , where Tom Hanks required that he maintain between six and eight-percent body fat . During the filming of '' The Pacific '' , Malek found it difficult to separate himself from his character , Snafu Shelton , which led to " some pretty intense mental anguish during and after filming " . He noted the most valuable lesson from that experience was learning to distance himself from his characters , otherwise he would not have been able to take on complex roles later in his career , like Elliot Alderson in '' Mr. Robot ''
88th Academy Awards
88th Academy Awards
Rami Malek