Rami Malek poses for photos after winning the Best Actor award for "Bohemian Rhapsody" in the press room during the 91st Academy Awards ceremony, or the Oscars, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Rami Malek won the Best Actor Award for music biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody" at the 91st Academy Awards ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood in western U.S. city of Los Angeles on Sunday night.

Malek, who was born and raised in Los Angeles to Egyptian immigrant parents, beat out strong rivals including Christian Bale ("Vice"), Willem Dafoe ("At Eternity's Gate"), Bradley Cooper ("A Star Is Born") and Viggo Mortensen ("Green Book") for his incandescent performance as Queen's lead singer Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody," and became the first Egyptian-American to win the Oscars' top acting prize.

"This is a monumental moment. I'm so appreciative to all of you, to everyone who had a hand in getting me here," said Malek in his acceptance speech.

Malek has won a series of acting awards in this awards season, including the Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award and BAFTA Award for Best Actor.

Directed by Bryan Singer, "Bohemian Rhapsody" is a foot-stomping celebration of the British rock band Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Mercury, tracing the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound.