Shiek Mahmud-Bey, a talented individual, was born in Brooklyn, New York, and shortly after the birth of his younger sister, his family relocated to Jamaica, Queens. He hails from a large extended family and is one of five children. His father, a United States Army Sergeant Major, and his mother, a skilled cosmetologist, played a significant role in shaping his early life.
It was during his childhood that Shiek developed a passion for acting, inspired by his mother's decision to take him and his siblings to see a production of the Wiz starring Stephanie Mills on Broadway. However, it wasn't until his first stage performance years later with the Char"Actors" Improvisation Theater Company, founded by Roni Dengel, Fredrick Rolf, and the late Adolf Caesar, that Shiek fully comprehended the depth of his love and passion for acting.
Shiek's journey in the entertainment industry continued to unfold as he worked alongside renowned actor Morgan Freeman, who suggested that he learn as much as possible about the business. This led Shiek to enroll at New York University, where he took courses in film production, cinematography, and writing.
In August 2002, Shiek portrayed Rubin "Hurricane" Carter in 'The Way Out', a play he helped develop, which earned him critical acclaim. His performances, as part of the New York International Fringe Festival, were praised by The New York Times, with the publication stating that "his performances will be remembered." The New York Daily News also commended his work, saying that "Shiek's fierce performance as the former boxer convicted of a triple homicide goes a long way toward making audiences forget Denzel Washington."
Shiek's success in 'The Way Out' led to his selection as a New York International Fringe Festival Winner in the Best Performance category. The following year, he returned to a sold-out run of "Acts of Contrition," where he played a Catholic Priest accused of pedophilia, a role he had to fight hard to secure. Initially, the producers doubted his ability to portray a Catholic Priest with layered complexities, but they took a chance on him. Shiek's performances in this production earned him critical acclaim once again, demonstrating his versatility as an actor.
Throughout his career, Shiek has appeared alongside some of Hollywood and television's biggest stars, including Joe Mantegna, Marcia Gay Harden, Robert DeNiro, Nicolas Cage, Andy Garcia, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Joaquin Phoenix, among others. He has portrayed a wide range of characters, from FBI agents and street thugs to a Guyanese Consulate and a corrupted Army Sergeant, showcasing his chameleon-like ability to adapt to diverse roles.
Shiek's biggest film break came when the late Sidney Lumet offered him the opportunity to play one of New York City's most notorious drug lords opposite an all-star cast.
