Jimmy Fallon first became a household name when he was a regular cast member on Saturday Night Live. His talent and comedic chops made him a favorite and a natural choice to host late night television. Fallon was soon brought in to replace Jay Leno on The Tonight Show.One of Fallon's many guests was Rami Malek. The Mr. Robot actor made a big splash with his role as Freddie Mercury in the 2018 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. The film was a huge success and won Malek an Academy Award for Best Actor.However, when Malek promoted the film on Fallon's show, there was a brief moment most people missed. Those who caught the gesture shared the clip and it went viral. It has since provoked many questions and comments.
Rami Malek Talks To Jimmy Fallon About His Freddie Mercury Transformation
When Malek appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in October 2018, he opened up about his incredible career trajectory.
For starters, he lamented the end of his breakout series Mr. Robot, but he acknowledged the amazing opportunities it brought him. One of those being the role of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody.
"And you got an Emmy for that as well," Fallon reminded Malek regarding his role in Mr. Robot.
Fallon went on to praise Malek's performance as Mercury. He seemed particularly impressed with Malek's physical transformation. He said that Malek's looks and mannerisms were incredibly accurate.
"I had these teeth that I wear and the first time I put them in my mouth I felt incredibly insecure," Malek said. "Then I found myself compensating, sitting straight, more elegant. You really start to think…these are the reasons why he is who he is."
Malek also talked about the intimidation he felt when producers wanted to film the Live Aid concert scenes first. He spoke about his nerves considering how legendary and memorable the performance was.
"When I got the call for day two, it was like winning an Oscar," he said.
"I told them, ‘Listen, guys, I’m not going to be the Hollywood actor that sells myself here — I don’t play the piano, I don’t think I’m a singer, I have a very unusual way of dancing and that’s the closest I can get to Freddie Mercury.’ I think they thought, here’s a humble actor for once," Malek added.
The Internet Believes Jimmy Fallon Reacted Poorly When Rami Malek Touched His Hand
At first viewing, Malek's appearance on The Tonight Show seemed to go off without a hitch. The interview appeared to go well and both men seemed to genuinely like each other.
However, there was one moment that most people missed. When discussing his role as Mercury, Malek recalled telling those involved with the film that he couldn't dance, sing, or play the piano. He seemed amazed that, despite this admission, he still got the job.
Fallon then complimented Malek's ability, citing a scene in the movie where he plays the piano laying down, upside down, with his arms crossed. "Spoiler alert," Malek responded.
Fallon then apologized and Malek briefly touched his hand in a reassuring manner. After Malek touched his hand, Fallon seemed to have a weird look on his face. This clip has since gone super viral and was shared by many online.
For many years, Fallon has come under criticism for his skills as an interviewer. Some believe his constant laughing and enthusiasm is fake. This clip was used by many of those people as "proof" of this theory. They say that Fallon looks disgusted that Malek touched his hand.
However, there are many who believe Fallon was merely upset with himself for accidentally revealing a spoiler of the film. They say he was simply reacting to his own slip up and not Malek's gesture.
"You know what’s annoying, when people have their own reaction to something and you just have to go about making up some kind of motive to it," one Reddit user wrote. "No wonder so many people have social anxiety."
Rami Returns To 'The Tonight Show' And Shares A Memorable Story About Robin Williams
Despite the reaction to Malek's previous appearance, he returned to The Tonight Show in 2021. During the interview, Malek spoke about his memories of the late Robin Williams. Malek acted with Williams in the Night At The Museum franchise, the third of which would be Williams' final role.
"We're shooting at the British Museum at night and we have the place all to ourselves," Malek began. "And Robin — you could tell something was happening with him. He would go on these riffs every once in a while and light up the world and you'd be like, 'Oh my God. Who are you?' And then dip back down into this other place."
Malek said Williams would "see us all on our phones and devices and he'd be like, 'What happened to [face-to-face communication]?'"
"And so I see him veer off and he walks off alone, and he's just kind of staring at this massive rock in the British Museum. And I'm like, 'Oh, man. What's going on with him? Is he all right?'" Malek continued.
Malek said he realized Williams was reflecting on how far communication has come and was having a moment to just appreciate an important historical relic.
"I walk up to kind of say, 'Is everything okay?' And he looks at me, just kind of slightly over the shoulder, and he goes, 'How often do you get to be alone with the Rosetta Stone?'" Malek said.
"That's the best story I've ever heard in my life," Fallon said, jokingly adding, "And you were like, 'Apparently not enough because I just interrupted you.'"
