Education
Tawfiq studied at the Negro Ensemble Theater Company, known for educating actors such as Denzel Washington and Ossie Davis. He also studied with coach Susan Batson.
Tawfiq studied at the Negro Ensemble Theater Company, known for educating actors such as Denzel Washington and Ossie Davis. He also studied with coach Susan Batson.
Born in New York, Tawfiq discovered his love of the arts while performing the poem "I Know Why The Caged Byrd Sings" by Maya Angelou in high school. Prior to pursuing a full acting career, Tawfiq served as a Marine. From 1994 to 1996, Tawfiq worked as a corrections officer in the Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New New York
While pursuing his acting career, Tawfiq also serves as a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department.
Tawfiq performed with The Arkansas Repertory Theatre in Intimate Apparel and played Walter Lee in the production A Raisin in the Sun, which Tawfiq has said to be his dream role. Tawfiq starred in the Black Entertainment Television movie Gun Hill as Captain
Sanford, commander of a counter-crime task force. On television, Tawfiq has appeared in Lights Out, Law & Order spin-offs Special Victims Unit and Criminal Intent, Kings, Golden Boy, 30 Rock, and the 2013 National Broadcasting Company remake of Ironside.
Tawfiq currently plays Dembe in National Broadcasting Company"s The Blacklist.
Starting with Season 3, he has been promoted to series regular.