Best Egyptian Actors Ever
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Omar Sharif, the Egyptian actor best known for playing Sherif Ali in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and the title role in Doctor Zhivago (1965), was born Michel Demitri Shalhoub on April 10, 1932 in Alexandria, Egypt to Joseph Shalhoub, a lumber merchant, and his wife, Claire (Saada). Of Lebanese and Syrian extraction, the young Michel was raised Catholic. He was educated at Victoria College in Alexandria and took a degree in mathematics and physics from Cairo University with a major. Afterward graduating from university, he entered the family lumber business.
Before making his English-language film debut with "Lawrence of Arabia", for which he earned a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination and international fame, Sharif became a star in Egyptian cinema. His first movie was the Egyptian film The Blazing Sun (1954) ("The Blazing Sun") in 1953, opposite the renowned Egyptian actress Faten Hamamah whom he married in 1955. He converted to Islam to marry Hamama and took the name Omar al-Sharif. The couple had one child (Tarek Sharif, who was born in 1957 and portrayed the young Zhivago in the eponymous picture) and divorced in 1974. Sharif never remarried.
Beginning in the 1960s, Sharif earned a reputation as one of the world's best known contract bridge players. In the 1970s and 1980s, he co-wrote a syndicated newspaper bridge column for the Chicago Tribune. Sharif also wrote several books on bridge and has licensed his name to a bridge computer game, "Omar Sharif Bridge", which has been marketed since 1992. Sharif told the press in 2006 that he no longer played bridge, explaining, "I decided I didn't want to be a slave to any passion any more except for my work. I had too many passions, bridge, horses, gambling. I want to live a different kind of life, be with my family more because I didn't give them enough time.".
As an actor, Sharif had made a comeback in 2003 playing the title role of an elderly Muslim shopkeeper in the French film Monsieur Ibrahim (2003). For his performance, he won the Best Actor Award at the Venice Film Festival and the Best Actor César, France's equivalent of the Oscar, from the Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma.
Diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2012, Sharif died of a heart attack on July 10, 2015, in Cairo, Egypt.Omar Sharif, the Egyptian actor best known for playing Sherif Ali in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and the title role in Doctor Zhivago (1965)- Actor
- Music Department
- Producer
Ahmed Zaki was born on 18 November 1949 in Zaqazeeq, Egypt. He was an actor and producer, known for Days of El-Sadat (2001), Nasser 56 (1996) and His Excellency the Minister (2002). He was married to Hala Fouad. He died on 27 March 2005 in Cairo, Egypt.Ahmed Zaki was born on November 18, 1949 in Zaqazeeq, Egypt as Ahmed Abdullrahman Zaki. He was an actor, known for Ayam El-Sadat (2001), Nasser 56 (1996) and Edhak el soura tetlaa helwa (1999). He was married to Hala Fouad. He died on March 27, 2005 in Cairo, Egypt.- Actor
- Soundtrack
He is a graduate of the faculty of agriculture. He started his career in cinema in several films with actor Salah Zulfikar in 1960s, such as Talat loussuss (1966), Marti, mudir aam (1966) and Afrit merati (1968). Then he became more popular in theaters for his role in Madrasat Al Moshaghebin (School of Rascals). He became more famous in the 1970s for his comedic roles in Al-bahth an fadiha (1973) (Search for a scandal) and Khalli Balek min Aalak (Take care of your brain). He started to play far more serious roles in the 1980s. He is now one of the highest paid actors in Egypt.He was more popular in theatres for his role in Madrasat Al Moshaghebin (School of Rioters). He became more famous in the 1970s for his comedic roles in Al-bahth an fadiha (1973) (Search for a scandal) and Khalli Balek min Aalak (Take Care Of Your Brain). He started to play far more serious roles in the 1980s. He is now one of the highest-paid actors in Egypt.- Actor
- Producer
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Nour El-Sherif was born on 28 April 1946 in Egypt. He was an actor and producer, known for Leila Sakhina (1995), Al-Ragol Al-Akhar (1999) and El Hag Metwali's Family (2001). He was married to Poussi. He died on 11 August 2015 in Cairo, Egypt.Nour El-Sherif was a prominent Egyptian actor. El-Sherif was born in the working-class neighborhood of Sayeda Zainab in Cairo. El-Sherif was married to Poussi (1972–2006) and together they had two daughters, Sarah and Mai. He got divorced from Poussi in 2006 and they reunited in early 2015 during the difficulty of his illness. He also played soccer before choosing acting as a career. Nour El-Sherif is sometimes credited as Nour El Cherif, Nour El-Cherif, or Nour Al-Sharif.- Actor
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Mahmoud Al Meleji was born on 22 December 1910 in Cairo, Egypt. He was an actor and writer, known for The Flirtation of Girls (1949), Amir el-Inteqam (1950) and El Fetewa (1957). He was married to Alwiya Gamil. He died on 6 June 1983 in Cairo, Egypt.Mahmoud Al Meleji was an Egyptian screenwriter and an actor of film, theatre, and television. He started his career playing minor roles but achieved stardom in the late 1930s. A popular and award-winning actor, he has acted in hundreds of films and was famous for his evil, villain roles.- Actor
- Director
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Youssef Wahbi was born on 14 July 1898 in Faiyum, Egypt. He was an actor and director, known for Confession Chair (1949), Al defaa (1935) and Gharam wa intiqam (1944). He was married to Elena Lunda, Saeeda Mansour and Aisha Fahmy. He died on 17 October 1982 in Cairo, Egypt.Yusuf Wahbi was born on July 14, 1898 in Faiyum, Egypt. He was an actor and director, known for Kursi el iteraf (1949), Al defaa (1935) and Gharam wa intiqam (1944).- Actor
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He was one of the greatest actors of all times, who had ever acted in the Egyptian & Arabic cinema history.
Descendant from the Abaza Family, one of the richest and most well-known families in whole Egypt.
Appeared in more than 100 film, most notable for his roles in films such as: Tamr Henna, Serae Fel Nile, El Ragoul El Saney, El Zouga Rakam Talatashar, Arous El Nile & Saghera Ala El Hob.Rushdi Abazah was one of the greatest actors of all times, who had ever acted in Egyptian & Arabic cinema history. Descendant from the Abaza Family, one of the richest and most well-known families in whole Egypt. Appeared in more than 100 films, most notable for his roles in films such as Tamr Henna, Serae Fel Nile, El Ragoul El Saney, El Zouga Rakam Talatashar, Arous El Nile & Saghera Ala El Hob.- Actor
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Farid Shawqi was born on 3 July 1920 in Cairo, Egypt. He was an actor and writer, known for Cemile (1968), El jassus (1964) and Abou Rabie (1973). He was married to Soheir Turk, Huda Sultan, Saneya Shawky and Zynab Abdel Hady. He died on 27 July 1998 in Cairo, Egypt.Farid Shawqi Mohammad Abdou Shawqi known as Farid Shawqi was an Egyptian actor, screenwriter, and film producer. He acted in 351 films, 27 plays, and 17 television series; wrote 25 film scripts, and produced 30 films. He is considered to be one of the greatest actors in the middle east.- Actor
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Mahmoud Abdel Aziz was born in Alexandria, Egypt to a middle class family. He studied Agricultural Sciences and during his college days he practiced acting through the university theatre.
He started his acting career by taking a role in "Al Dawama" TV show in the mid 70s with Nelly and Mahmoud Yassin after which he entered the cinema world for the first time through "Al Hafeed" an all time Egyptian film classic. Mahmoud Abdel Aziz starred in over 25 movies during the late 70s and early 80s while his popularity was increasing dramatically, most of his movies at the time were categorized as romantic drama.
His acting path has matured when he started taking different roles which really exposed his talent. He was known to be equally adept at comedy and drama.
The 1980s marked Mahmoud Abdel Aziz as a superstar when he starred in very successful movies like "El Aar", "El Keef" and "Rafat El Haggan" TV Series which is one of the most popular works of Egyptian television based on the true story of the renowned Egyptian spy who was planted in Israel for over 20 years before the 6 days war.
Mahmoud Abdel Aziz has starred in over 100 movies and he can still surprise his audience with great work such as Bab El Khalk (2012) TV Series after 7 years of absence from the Egyptian TV.
He has two children Mohamed Mahmoud Abdel Aziz a film producer and director; and Kareem Mahmoud Abdel Aziz.Mahmoud Abdel Aziz was an Egyptian movie and television actor. He became famous for several famous roles in Egypt, before becoming famous in his native Egypt and the whole region for his Egyptian patriotic role in the Egyptian TV series Raafat el-Hagan.- Actor
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Anwar Wagdi was born on 11 October 1904 in Cairo, Egypt. He was an actor and director, known for The Flirtation of Girls (1949), El Millioner (1950) and Qalbi Dalili (1947). He was married to Layla Fawzi, Laila Mourad and Elham Hussein. He died on 14 May 1955 in Stockholm, Sweden.Anwar Wagdi was an actor and director, known for The Flirtation of Girls (1949), Habib el-Rooh (1951) and El Millioner (1950). He was married to Layla Fawzi, Laila Mourad and Elham Hussein.- Actor
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Mahmoud Yassine was born on 19 February 1942 in Port Said, Egypt. He was an actor and director, known for Souk El-Asr (2001), Mama Fi El-Qism (2010) and The Message (1976). He was married to Shahira. He died on 14 October 2020 in Cairo, Egypt.Mahmoud Yassine was an Egyptian actor. He was an iconic actor in both Egyptian cinema and television, portraying dramatic, psychological, and romantic roles.- Tawfik El Deken was born on 3 May 1924 in Egypt. He was an actor, known for El Fetewa (1957), Shati el zekriat (1955) and El Sab'a Afandi (1951). He was married to Nawal El Rakhawi. He died on 26 November 1988 in Cairo, Egypt.Tawfik El Deken was famous for the roles of evil, although his performance was not devoid of his fearlessness, and he was successful in the roles of thieves, thugs, drunkards, and slaves to the extent that simple people believed him in what he was doing and hated him because of those roles.
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Imad Hamdi was born on 25 November 1909 in Suhag, Egypt. He was an actor and producer, known for Khan el khalili (1967), Shati el zekriat (1955) and Ana el-Madhi (1950). He was married to Nadia El Gendy, Shadia and Fathia El Sherif. He died on 28 January 1984 in Cairo, Egypt.Imad Hamdi was an actor, known for El manzel rakam tletash (1952), Bala demoue (1962) and Mawad gharam (1956).- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Yehia El-Fakharany was born on 7 April 1945 in Cairo, Egypt. He is an actor and producer, known for Kharag wa lam ya'ud (1984), Abbas al abiad fi al yawm al aswad (2004) and Zeezinya (1997). He is married to Lamis Gaber. They have two children.El-Fakharany is an Egyptian television and film actor. he has appeared in over 50 TV shows, 39 movies, and 9 plays.- Shukri Sarhan was born on 21 March 1925 in Alexandria, Egypt. He was an actor, known for Habibi el asmar (1958), Rannet el kholkhal (1955) and Shati el zekriat (1955). He was married to Nermeen Aouf. He died on 29 March 1997 in Cairo, Egypt.He is one of the greatest representatives of Arab cinema in the twentieth century. He was chosen by international director Youssef Chahine for his 1951 film "Ibn the Nile", which was the real start of his stardom. And at that time he was nicknamed the screen boy. And he was honored by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser with the state medal. He won the Best Actor Award in "The Night of the Arrest of Fatima", and he has many radio and television works, as he acted in 150 films.
- Ahmed Ramzy was a famous Egyptian actor who was born in Alexandria in 1930. He played the leading roles in many Egyptian films in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. He was born Ramzy Mahmud Bayumi to Dr Mahmoud Bayoumi, a famous Egyptian orthopedist, and Helen MacKay, a Scottish lady. His dad died in 1939 after he lost a fortune (250,000 Egyptian Pounds) in the stock market, and his mom had to raise him by herself. Ramzy graduated from the renowned school Victoria College where he met Omar Sharif, and they became best friends since then. Ramzy joined the Medical school for 3 years, then he transferred to the Faculty of Commerce, which he eventually dropped to pursue his acting career. He had one brother, Dr. Hassan Bayoumi, who was older by 9 years and followed in their father's footsteps and had his practice in London. He got married 3 times and he had 3 kids; 2 daughters and a son. He was discovered by the producer Helmy Halim in 1955, and he was cast in his first role, as "Ramzy" in Ayyamna al-Holwa (Our Best Days), along with Faten Hamama, Abdel Halim Hafez, and his lifelong friend Omar Sharif. The film was a box office hit. Since the late 1950s, he participated in many movies and was famous for the role of the funny playboy and womanizer. He was very active till the 1970s. His last appearance was in a TV series called Hanan Wa Haneen with his friend Omar Sharif in 2007. Some of his close friends were Omar Sharif, Faten Hamama, Rushdi Abaza and Saleh Selim. Some of his well known movies are Our Best Days, Dark Waters, Hamidu's Son, Girls of Today and Adrift on the Nile. He passed away on September 28th, 2012 at the age of 82 due to a severe brain clot.Ahmed Ramzy was a famous Egyptian actor. He played the leading roles in many Egyptian films in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Since the late 1950s, he has participated in many movies and was famous for a funny playboy and womanizer. He was very active till the 1970s. Some of his well-known movies are Our Best Days, Dark Waters, Hamidu's Son, Girls of Today, and Adrift on the Nile.
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- Producer
Ahmad Mazhar was born on 8 October 1917 in Cairo, Egypt. He was an actor and writer, known for Saladin (1963), Noufouss haira (1968) and El dow' El khafet (1961). He was married to Dodi. He died on 8 May 2002 in Cairo, Egypt.His acting career started in 1951 when he was picked for a role in Zehour Al-Islam because of his riding skills and his proper pronunciation of classical Arabic. Mazhar's breakthrough in the world of acting came after he succeeded in playing the role of an evil prince in (Return My Heart), his third movie.- Actor
- Composer
Hussein Fahmy was born on 22 March 1940 in Cairo, Egypt. He is an actor and composer, known for Garden City Ladies (1997), Viva Zalata (1976) and El-Fatenah wa el-Salook (1974).Hussein Fahmy is an Egyptian actor. He worked in the film and television industry for more than 50 years, specializing in film directing and appearing in over 100 films, television, and theatre productions.- Ismail Yassin was born on 15 September 1912 in Suez, Egypt. He was an actor, known for Ismail Yassine fil madhaf el shami (1956), Ismail Yassine Tarazane (1958) and Ismail Yassine fil tayyaran (1959). He died on 24 May 1972 in Cairo, Egypt.He was widely known for manipulation of his facial expressions and often made fun of his 'large mouth' in his films. His trademark gimmick was to act terrified bringing his wobbling knees together, stretching his shaking arms in front of him, stammering silently, and suddenly snapping out of his panic with a loud inhalation of air.
- Actor
- Producer
Fouad El-Mohandes was born on 6 September 1924 in Cairo, Egypt. He was an actor and producer, known for Viva Zalata (1976), 30 Yom Fel Segn (1966) and The Beloved Diva (1967). He was married to Shouweikar and Iffat Suror Najeb. He died on 16 September 2006 in Cairo, Egypt.He is an amateur actor when he was young. He joined a group named Sa'a li Qalbak (An hour to your heart) during its early run. His important leading roles: "Sapawy" in Aelet Zizi (Zizi's family), "Zaki / Mr.X." in Akhtar ragol fi el aalam (The most dangerous man in the world), "Bassiouni" in El Ard El Tayyeba (The Good Earth), "Abdul-Salam Al-Damanhouri" in Khali balak min giranak (Watch out for your neighbours), And much more.- Writer
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Nagib El-Rihani was born on 21 January 1889 in Cairo, Egypt. He was a writer and actor, known for The Flirtation of Girls (1949), Yacout (1934) and Libat el-Sitt (1946). He was married to Badia Massabni. He died on 8 June 1949 in Cairo, Egypt.Nagib El-Rihani was a writer and actor, known for The Flirtation of Girls (1949), Yacout (1934), and Libat el-Sitt (1946). He was married to Badia Massabni.- Actor
- Composer
- Producer
Farid Al Atrache was born in Jebel Ed-Druz, Southern Syria in 1915. His parents were Prince Fahad Al Atrache and Princess Alia. In 1923, Prince Fahad and the Al Atrache clan were fighting against the French occupation of their land and as a result, Princess Alia had to flee to Egypt with her three young children Fouad, Farid and Amal. Their journey was diffcult where they travelled from Beirut through Palestine and finally Egypt without any personal documents. The Egyptian government granted them permission to stay, and the family settled at one of Cairo's popular districts where they lived in a one room flat after being accustomed to living in luxurious palaces. The mother had to work as a singer at private parties,and weddings in order to support her children who also took jobs while they went to school. Farid and his young sister Amal were interested in their mother's love of music, so she encouraged them to sing and taught her son how to play the oud. In their early youths, Farid and Amal (who later became Asmahane), began to draw the attention of composers and song writers who were amazed by their musical talents and beautiful voices, and eventually the duo were singing at radio stations and in front of wide audiences. The cinema was also the gateway to success and glory for Farid and Asmahane as they starred in two films. Once again tragedy struck Farid, his sister Asmahane was killed in a car accident and there were rumors that she was involved with the British intelligence.
Farid continued to sing and compose until one day he met Samia Gamal, a lovely belly dancer who captured his heart, and together they created a duo starring in several musical films from the late 1940s and the early 1950s. However, their relationship didn't last because Samia married an American man who embraced Islam and they both travelled to the U.S, and again Farid was lonely and sad but he still loved Samia. His next films and songs contained feelings of love and anguish in addition to patriotism. He spent his last years in Lebanon while he made frequent visits to Egypt, Arab countries and Europe. He died in Beirut on December 26, 1974 and that was before attending the premiere of his last film with actress Mervat Amin "Nagahm fi Hayati".Farid al-Atrash was a Syrian-Egyptian composer, singer, virtuoso oud player, and actor. Having immigrated to Egypt at the age of only nine years old with his mother and siblings, he studied there under numerous respected musicians. Al-Atrash embarked on a highly successful career spanning more than four decades—recording 500 songs and starring in 31 movies. Sometimes referred to as "King of the Oud", he is one of the most important figures of 20th-century Arab music.- Obtained a Diploma of high Industrial school in "Bulaq", then joined the Higher Institute of Dramatic Art, and graduated having a bachelor's degree in 1949. After graduation joined by his professor (Zaky Tulaimat) to "The Recent Theater Band", where he participated in several plays made by the band until the year 1955, including: (Juha Nail, Set El-Banat), and then later joined the band of "Ismail Yassin". At the level of the cinema "Abdel Moneim Ibrahim" excellence in dozens of help roles, and the most memorable: (Between The Two Palaces, Rumor Of Love, Wife No. 13, City Lights, Ismail Yassin In The Fleet), while for the main roles the most important of all was his role in the movie ( Ser Takeit El-Eghfaa).Abdel Moneim Ibrahim joined the Higher Institute of Dramatic Art and graduated having a bachelor's degree in 1949. After graduation joined by his professor (Zaky Tulaimat) to "The Recent Theater Band", where he participated in several plays made by the band until 1955. And then later joined the band of "Ismail Yassin". At the level of the cinema "Abdel Moneim Ibrahim" participated in dozens of help roles, and the most memorable: (Between The Two Palaces, Rumor Of Love, Wife No. 13, City Lights, Ismail Yassin In The Fleet). while for the main roles the most important of all was his role in the movie (Ser Takeit El-Eghfaa).
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Estafan Rosti was born on 16 November 1891 in Italy. He was an actor and director, known for Gamal wa Dalal (1945), Inshudat el fuad (1932) and Antar effendi (1936). He died on 22 May 1964 in Cairo, Egypt.Rosti appeared in 24 Egyptian films between 1927 and 1964. He also directed seven Egyptian films between 1931 and 1946. He was renowned for portraying evil characters with a satirical inclination, and he became an icon of the Egyptian film industry.- Actor
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- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Abdel Salam Al Nabulsy was born in Northern Tripoli in 1899. His father sent him to Egypt so he could study at Al-Azhar Mosque, and while he was there he became interested in acting. He acted on stage for a while and when his family knew about his new career, they stopped sending him money so he could concentrate on his studies. Then Abdel Salam had to find a way to earn his living, he portrayed evil characters which aren't too violent, then he chose comedian roles in most of his films. He used to write in several Egyptian magazines, he also spoke different languages, such as French.Abdulsalam El-Nabulsi played a comedian role in most of his films. He used to write in several Egyptian magazines, he also spoke different languages, such as French.- Samir Ghanem was born on 15 January 1937 in Cairo, Egypt. He was an actor, known for El mushajibun (1965), El Maganin El Talata (1970) and Hob 'ala shati Miami (1976). He was married to Dalal Abdulaziz. He died on 20 May 2021 in Cairo, Egypt.Samir Ghanem is a comedian actor, He was a member of the stand-up comedy trio Tholathy Adwa'a El Masrah alongside George Sidhom and El Deif Ahmed. Their debut was Doctor Save Me, a short performance that introduced them to the entertainment world. They presented the first-ever TV show Ramadan Riddles. After El Deif Ahmed's death in 1970, Ghanem and Sidhom continued under the same name (Tholathy Adwa'a El Masrah) until the 1980s.
- Seraj Munir was born in 1901 in Cairo, Egypt. He was an actor, known for Amir el-Inteqam (1950), Russassa fil kalb (1944) and Rabha (1945). He was married to Mimi Shakeeb. He died in 1957 in Cairo, Egypt.Seraj Munir was an Egyptian film actor. He appeared in 46 films between 1930 and 1957.
- His life began in representation, when he was a student in the bachelor's in 1924, while impressed by the (George Abiad) and attached him to his band.He refused to complete his study in the Faculty of Law.Turning to "Ramses" band in 1925 with (Ahmad Allam), who was assigned main roles to him.He participated in the first silent movie"Zainab" which produced in 1930 and then participated in the first Egyptian spokesman movie (The White Rose) which produced in 1932. Then his movies rolled for thirty years in a row without stopping until the beginning of the sixties. The most prominent movies :"(Rasef no. 5), (El-Fetawa) and (The River of Love).He participated in the first silent movie"Zainab" which produced in 1930 and then participated in the first Egyptian spokesman movie (The White Rose) which produced in 1932. Then his movies rolled for thirty years in a row without stopping until the beginning of the sixties. The most prominent movies:"(Rasef no. 5), (El-Fetawa) and (The River of Love).
- Adel Adham was born on 8 March 1928 in Alexandria, Egypt. He was an actor, known for Gahim taht el-Ma (1989), The Bad Guys (1970) and Antar Zamanuh (1994). He died on 1 February 1996 in Cairo, Egypt.Adel Adham was an Egyptian villain actor. He was known for his portrayal of evil and ambiguous characters.
- Abdallah Gheith was born on 28 January 1930 in Egypt. He was an actor, known for The Message (1976), Bayaet el ward (1959) and Asr el-Quwwah (1991). He died on 13 March 1993 in Egypt.Abdullah Gheith was an Egyptian actor. Gheith's most famous work in cinema is Mohammad, Messenger of God (U.S. title: The Message) (1976) which narrates the story of the rise of Islam.