With renowned, legendary actresses and actors, classical Egyptian cinema has reserved an eternal place in our memory and hearts.
Egypt was, and still is, one of the biggest exporters of films in the region and a powerful source of popular culture to the Arab world.
Despite the dramatic decline in the quality of Egyptian films over the past 20 years, the influence of the classical film industry still outweighs the setback of the current production of mainly commercial movies.
Here are 14 revered actors and icons from the golden era of the Egyptian film industry:
1. Naguib El Rihani (1889-1949)
Renowned comedy legend Naguib El Rihani was born in Cairo to an Iraqi Christian father and an Egyptian Coptic mother.
Growing up poor and in constant search for a job, his inspiration came from this unfortunate situation. He starred in over 10 films and 50 theater plays, and his legacy lived on as he wrote about 30 films and plays.
2. Youssef Wahby (1898-1982)
Youssef Wahby was born to a wealthy Egyptian family of Turkish descent. He studied theatrical arts in Rome, Italy, and came back to Egypt to found his own theater troupe, Ramses.
Wahby also founded "Ramses company for Cinema Production" which produced the country's first talking picture "Awlad El Zawat" in 1932.
He starred in over 120 films and TV series, and 302 plays.
3. Abdel Salam El Nabolsi (1899-1968)
The Palestinian comedian and writer Abdel Salam El Nabolsi was born in Tripoli, Lebanon. He began his life as a writer for the magazines "Misr al-gedeeda" and "al-Lataa'ef al-Mosawarra".
He contributed to both Egyptian and Lebanese film industries, his legacy included more than 140 films.
4. Anwar Wagdi (1904-1955)
Anwar Wagdi was one of the most famous Egyptian actors, writers, directors, and producers in the early 20th century.
Born in Cairo to a Syrian family, he began his acting career in Youssef Wahby’s "Julius Caesar" stage play. He quickly rose to fame and played leading roles in over 70 films.
His most popular works were a result of collaboration with his wife, renowned Egyptian singer and actress, Layla Murad.
5. Ismail Yassine (1912-1972)
Egyptian comedian Ismail Yassine was born in Suez, where he had his first job as a chanting salesman assistant in front of a shop. He also sang at weddings and cafés before moving to Cairo, where he became a brilliant monologist and rose to fame among filmmakers.
Yassine starred in about 100 films that never fail to make us laugh.
6. Ahmed Mazhar (1917-2002)
Born in Cairo, Ahmed Mazhar graduated from the military academy, with some of his colleagues being Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar al-Sadat.
Mazhar served as the head of an equestrian school before resigning from the army and dedicating his time to acting. He played leading roles in over 140 films and TV series.
7. Farid Shawqi (1920-1998)
Farid Shawqi was one of the most famous Egyptian actors, screenwriters, and producers. He was born in the popular quarter of al-Sayyeda Zainab in Cairo.
Shawqi started his film career with acting small roles with Anwar Wagdy. He later wrote his own works and became a superstar, famous among the public for his action films.
He starred in more than 300 films and was nicknamed "Wahsh alShaashah" i.e. Beast of the Silver Screen.
8. Fouad El-Mohandes (1924-2006)
The comedy superstar Fouad El-Mohandes was born in Abbassiya district in Cairo. El-Mohandes left a major mark on Egyptian theater, cinema, radio, and television.
He refined his talent on the university theater at the Faculty of Commerce, and started his career by joining the famous radio program "Saa'a le-albak".
He rose to even more fame after taking his satire and comedy to the theater. His legacy includes more than 140 films, theater plays, TV series, and Ramadan riddles.
9. Abdul Moneim Ibraheem (1924-1987)
Abdul Moneim Ibraheem was one of Egypt’s finest comedians. He was born in Cairo and graduated from the Higher Institute of Theatrical Arts in 1949.
He started his acting career with theater troupes. His legacy includes more than 250 films, theater plays, and TV series.
10. Shokry Sarhan (1925-1997)
Shokry Sarhan was born in the city of Alexandria and graduated from the Higher Institute for Acting in 1947.
He starred in more than 200 films, theater plays, and TV series.
11. Rushdy Abaza (1926-1980)
Rushdy Said Abaza was born in Cairo to an Egyptian father and an Italian mother. He graduated from Saint-Marc College in Alexandria and did not complete his higher studies because he was fond of sports.
His legacy included more than 150 films.
12. Salah Zulfakar (1926-1993)
Salah Zulfakar was born in Al-Maḥallah al-Kubrā, Egypt and graduated from the police academy where he also taught.
Salah worked in cinema production while he was still an officer before dedicating all of his time to the film industry.
He starred in more than 130 films and performed in several TV series.
13. Omar Sharif (1932-2015)
The widely renowned icon was born Michael Demitri Chalhoub in Alexandria to a wealthy Egyptian Catholic family of Levantine roots.
Sharif began his acting career with a role in the film Sira3 Fi al-Wadi.
In 1955, he converted to Islam and then married the love of his life, the Egyptian actress Faten Hamama. The duo acted together in some of their best films before Sharif joined the film industry in the West and left Egypt to live abroad.
Omar Sharif starred in more than 100 films and TV series.
14. Ahmed Ramzy (1930-2012)
Ahmed Ramzy was born in Alexandria to an Egyptian father and a Scottish mother.
He starred in about 100 films and was famous for playing roles of the light-spirited, mischievous young man.