After a long battle with lung cancer, award-winning Egyptian actor Nour El Sherif died Tuesday, Egyptian state media reported. He was 69 and is survived by his two daughters Sarah and Mai from his 36-year marriage to Egyptian actress Poussi.
Born Mohamad Geber Mohamad ِAbd Allah to a working class family, Sherif graduated with distinction with a degree in theatee in 1967. He briefly pursued a career in football before taking up acting. He starred in 190 films. His most recent, "Betawkeet al-Qahira" (In Cairo's Time), in 2014, received massive critical acclaim for transporting viewers back to a nostalgic period of a glorious Egypt. Sherif was also in 23 television series such as "El Haj Metwali" (2001), and "Orfat al-Baher" (2012).
Egyptians have taken to Twitter to bid the legendary actor farewell :
"He was one of the best actors of his generation in my opinion. I really loved him because he reminded me of my grandfather. Rest in Peace."
"Sickness has won against the Light (Nour) of Egyptian drama. May God have mercy on your soul."
"Simply, I love you."
"The Light of Egyptian drama and cinema has left us.