Well-known Egyptian actor Mamdouh Abd El-Aleem passed away Tuesday at the age of 60, the head of the Egyptian Actors Syndicate announced on Egyptian television.
The actor reportedly had a heart attack while exercising at a gym and died on the way to a hospital in Cairo's Zamalek neighborhood.
El-Aleem was one of the most popular and respected Egyptian television actors; he was most famous for his role in the hit Egyptian TV drama series "Layali El-Helmiya," which ran from 1987 to 1995.
"Goodbye Mamdouh Abd El-Aleem.. The renowned actor left our world a little while ago following a severe heart attack."
It was recently announced that the series would return with new episodes due to air next Ramadan, with several of the original cast members expected to return.
El-Aleem was reportedly preparing to start shooting the revived series before his unexpected death.
The actor started out his career in 1969 working on children’s radio and television programs with Egyptian director Ibrahim Abd El-Galeel.
In addition to "Layali El-Helmiya," he went on to star in several other successful Egyptian TV series including "Aseela," "Seyaam Seyaam," "Akhou Al-Banat," "Zeinab" and "Al-Hobb Wa Ashya'a Okhra."
El-Aleem also starred in several popular Egyptian films, including "Romantica" (1996), "Al-Hob Fi Taba" (1992) and 'Batal Min Warak" (1988).
Several Egyptian actors and actresses expressed their grief and condolences to the actor's loved ones on social media, as well as many fans who grew up watching El-Aleem's popular characters.