My name is Youssef Sabet. I am a first generation Egyptian- Australian who grew up just outside of Melbourne in Lysterfield, Victoria. As an actor, I am often drawn to pieces where I can explore my Middle Eastern heritage and sexuality. As a gay first generation Egyptian-Australian, my life, at times, has felt like a bit of a juggling act. I enjoy exploring identity, culture and sexuality through my work. I’m a Joker with a big heart and will try find the funny side of most situations! I have been influenced and drawn to the works of Tennessee Williams, Stephen Adly Guirgis, and Ramy Youssef.

I’ve always wanted to be in this profession. I love the positive impact that we, as actors can have on people. For me, growing up, Jason Statham was one of my many heros. His films brought me so much joy . As a kid I'd always reenact his fight scenes by fighting my pillow. I could be my eight-year-old self at Islamic Saturday School when being the class clown or as the adult twenty two year old me, out at the bar with my friends and dancing like an idiot; I'll always find a way to entertain. I want to do for people what the Jason Stathams of the world had done for me.

In primary school, I took part in every school show, and if there wasn’t a show for me, I’d fucking make one. At school camp in year four, one night after dinner, I crossed dressed with my friends Adrian and Ryan and put on a skit for all the other students and teachers. I would take any opportunity to perform and make it my own. In grade six, when assigned senior school responsibilities, I immediately wanted to be “House Points Captain” because at the weekly school assembly this meant that I could read out that week's winners in front of the whole school. One week I’d channel my inner Mark Holden, on Australian Idol, screaming “TOUCHDOWN!” The next week I would become The Rock speaking to the WWE Universe. Cut to grade twelve in high school and I’m doing a similar thing at the weekly school assembly, but this time round it’s an “Around The Grounds” segment. One of my acting teachers once described me as a "Labrador puppy on a stage", jumping around and excited to be a part of it all. Truer words are yet to be spoken !

At high school, I was lucky enough to be taught theatre by the amazing Lyndy Clarke. who provided me with my first proper introduction to a professional approach to acting. I had trained in several children’s programs by then, but Lyndy's classes were the real deal! She not only directed my peers and I in several high school productions, she taught us morals and ethics and how to work like professionals in this often brutal industry. She treated us like her own children and that meant the world to all of us. Lyndy, to this day, is someone I hold very closely to my heart and I am thankful to her for the many valuable lessons she taught us.

Throughout high school, I kept auditioning for projects around Australia. After I graduated , I played Ali on “Nowhere Boys” S3 and S4 which aired on ABC’s ABCme. After Nowhere Boys, I wanted to explore the craft of acting and travelled to City to attend The Atlantic Acting School Summer intensive - and intense it was. It was a grueling six weeks, but I learnt so much, most of all that I had A LOT to learn! After that, I was hooked and immediately applied for Atlantic’s Full Time Conservatory program. Cut to December 2020, three years later, mid second-wave of the pandemic and I am now in my final semester, about to graduate…. via Zoom. Let me tell you, I’m ready to get back on the auditioning circuit!

All jokes aside, I take my responsibility to make a positive social contribution through the arts, very seriously. What really matters to me, is being able to influence change throughout our industry. I want to be a leader who champions inclusion and diversity in TV, Film and Theatre and drives change. I am particularly interested in lifting up the voices of my people from the Middle East. I am also very passionate about guiding and teaching high school students who are aspiring actors. I want to share and inspire them by teaching them the skills I have learnt along the way.