Best Arab Actors of All-Time

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.

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 Al-seera Al-Ashouria: Al-Harafeesh (2002). He was married to Poussi. He died on 11 August 2015 in Cairo, Egypt.

Ahmad Mazhar was born on 8 October 1917 in Cairo, Egypt. He was an actor and writer, known for Habibat Gheyri (1976), Saladin (1963) and Noufouss haira (1968). He was married to Dodi. He died on 8 May 2002 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), 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 Hamama 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.

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 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.

Khaled El-Sawi was born on 25 November 1963 in Alexandria, Egypt. He is an actor and assistant director, known for The Blue Elephant (2014), El Farah (2009) and The Yacoubian Building (2006).

Ahmed Helmy made his first big screen appearance in film Aboud on the Boarder (1999), in which he co-starred alongside Alaa Waley El Din. Ahmed, through his amazing breakthrough performance, and comic sense of humor, nabbed all the attention he needed in this film. He quickly made a jump to starring roles in films such as Umar 2000 (2000), The Headmaster (2000), _El Selem We Al Thoghban_.

Ahmed first started his career, when director Sherif Arafa was watching children's programme "Leighb Eyal" on the Egyptian Satellite Broadcast, Sherif found in Ahmed the comedian actor he needed for the starring role in Aboud Ala El Hedoud. He is a 1993 graduate of the Academy of Arts, High Institute for Theatre Art. He believes that the most sophisticated role he had done yet was in the film Omar 2000, especially the scene in which he had to bury a dear friend. Ahmed's idol is his father, he finds in him the idealism, kindness and wisdom. Ahmed also admires Ahmed Zaki for his enormous acting talent. As for the comedy, he adores Adel Emam and Samir Ghanem. Ahmed finds the trend of the cinema today, now known as the "Youth Cinema", can be judged only through audiences. 'After three or four days of screening a film, audiences would know and judge the film to be a success or no, it is a matter of supply and demand, commerce, film is a commodity which applies to the terms of supply and demand'.

He graduated from the School of French Law, and completed his university studies in France. The first movie appearance was in 1946 through the movie (I Am The East), and then returned to France again to continue the art work in the cinema, and then returned to Egypt again with the mid-seventies, and began appearing in Egyptian cinema since that time intensively, co-starring in a large number of Egyptian movies, including: (Kafany Ya Kalb), (No Consolation For Women), (Love In The Prison), (The Beginning), (The Birds Of Te Dark), and at the level of TV drama he shared in a number of series as: (Yawmiat Wanees , (El-Raya al-Bayda), (The Friends), (The Face Of The Moon).

Khaled Saleh was born on 23 January 1964 in Cairo, Egypt. He was an actor, known for Tito (2004), Chaos, This Is (2007) and The Best of Times (2004). He died on 25 September 2014 in Cairo, Egypt.

Salah Zulfikar was an Egyptian actor and producer. He started his career as a police officer before becoming an actor in 1956. He is considered one of the greatest Egyptian actors of all time. He was one of the most consistent box-office performers in Egyptian cinema. Zulfikar starred in over fifty box office hits, remaining a bankable star for almost three decades.

Descendant from the Zulfikar family, one of the noble and most well-known families in Egypt.

Zulfikar's notable films as an actor include; Djamilah (1958), Money and Women (1960), The Second Man (1960), The Cursed Palace (1962), Saladin (1963), Soft Hands (1963), Dearer than My Life (1965), My Wife, the Director General (1966), Good Morning, my Dear Wife (1969), The Killers (1971), Featureless Men (1972), The Other Man (1973), Secret Visit (1981), and The Peacock (1982). In the 1980s and early 1990s, he started focusing on television serials, and became the highest paid TV actor in the Arab World in mid 1980s.

In 1958, he established a film production company, with his brother Ezz El-Dine Zulficar, together they produced major productions such as Among the Ruins (1959), The Second Man (1960). In 1962, he established his own film production company and produced notable films such as My Wife, the Director General (1966), A Taste of Fear (1969) and I Want a Solution (1975).

As an actor and producer, he participated in 13 films listed in the Top 100 Egyptian films of all time. Zulfikar won several awards during his career. He won the state award for his acting performance in a leading role for five times in: Soft Hands (1963), Dearer than My Life (1965), My Wife's Dignity (1967), Secret Visit (1981), and The Peacock (1982). He also won the state award for production for two times in (My Wife, the Director General (1966), I Want a Solution (1975).

He was married to Nafisa Bahgat, the mother of his children Ahmed Zulfikar and Mona Zulfikar. His second wife was Zahrat El-Ula and third wife, Shadia.

Salah Zulfikar died at the age of 67 on December 22, 1993 in Cairo, Egypt.

Maged El-Kidwani was born on 10 December 1967 in Shobra, Cairo, Egypt. He is an actor, known for Cairo 678 (2010), Saa'a wi Nos (2012) and Hibta: El-Muhadharah el-Akhirah (2016).

Farid Shawqi was born on 3 July 1920 in Cairo, Egypt. He was an actor and writer, known for Cemile (1968), Al Abtaal (1974) and Kahraman (1958). He was married to Soheir Turk, Huda Sultan, Saneya Shawky and Zynab Abdel Hady. He died on 27 July 1998 in Cairo, Egypt.

Egyptian actor Khaled Nabawy managed to quickly grab audiences attention and film critics respect through his choice of material, following his discovery by famous director, Youssef Chahine. He presented Khaled as the Hollywood's way in making stars, he put him in the best view and allowed the camera to love him.

Khaled has already played comedian, dramatic and villain roles. He is a cinema lover, working about 12 hours daily to reach the role's depth

Forty-years ago. Youssef Shahin presented the new actor (Omar El Sherif) in (Struggle in the valley) 1954, and brought to light the first universal Egyptian star, and here he is doing it again in 1994 by presenting (Khaled El Nabawy) in the (Emigrant) and bringing to light a new universal star, He may pass all the expectancies.

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.

Saleh Selim was born on 11 September 1930 in Cairo, Egypt. He was an actor, known for The Black Candles (1962), The Seven Girls (1961) and El bab el maftuh (1963). He died on 6 May 2002 in London, England, UK.

Karim Abdel Aziz was born in Egypt on 17-8-1975. He was raised by his father the director Mohamed Abdel Aziz who has a valuable history in the Egyptian cinema; hence the technical environment in which he grew up had a prominent role in the ease of entry and work in the field of cinematography. Karim graduated from the Academy of Arts in 1997 as a director; he worked as an assistant director for a brief period until he discovered that he felt pleasure to stand in front of the camera and by then he decided to enter the world of acting.

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.

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.

Amr Waked was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1972. He studied economics and theatre in the American University in Cairo. In his early experience as an actor Amr joined the Temple Theatre Troop in 1994, and Yaaru Theatre Troop in 1999, where he trained and developed his tools as a stage performer.

With his experience onstage, Waked managed to film his first role on the big screen in 1998 when he joined Ossama Fawzy's of "Gannet El Shayateen". Waked's award winning performance paved his way to become a popular actor famous for his gravity and vast range.

In 2003, Waked joined Stephen Gegan's cast of Syriana, which was his first appearance in an international film. His performance was acclaimed and presented him with other opportunities in international productions, like House Of Saddam and Salmon Fishing In The Yemen.

In 2005, Amr co-established "zad communication & production llc" to begin his experience as a producer. The communication agency and production house was to focus on developmental and social issues in Egypt and the Middle East. In 2012, zad produced its first feature film "Winter Of Discontent", directed by Ibrahim El Batout, which opened in the 69th Venice Film Festival in 2012.

Kal Abol Naga (aka: Khaled Abol Naga) is a Multi Award-winning Actor, Producer, and Director from Egypt, based between the USA and Europe. He is a well-established actor (movie star) in the middle-east and considered one of the top talents of his generation, his work extends from Film, TV, Theatre, to Radio and TV hosting. He has been a lead in feature films since his first lead role in "A Citizen, An Informant & A Thief" by Egyptian acclaimed director Daoud Abdel Sayed in 2001.

As an actor he collected numerous Best Actor Awards from Egypt, Middle East, European & International Film Festivals since 2001, culminating in 2014 with a historic winning of ALL-important Best Actor Awards offered in his home country Egypt (The Cairo International Film Festival, Egypt's National Film Festival, Film Society Festival for Egyptian Cinema & The Catholic Centre festival for Egyptian Cinema) for his critically acclaimed portrayal of a terminally ill older man: Hussein in "Villa 69". In the same year, Abol Naga won The Best Actor Award (Silver Pyramid) from the prestigious Cairo International Film Festival CIFF for his lead role as a Palestinian father searching for his daughter in the Palestinian Oscar's submission "Eyes of a thief", as well as other several regional awards for "Villa 69" including the Best Actor Award from Festival Cinema Africain Khouribga, Morocco.

Abol Naga's English speaking work started gaining momentum since he moved to California in 2017, where he appeared in main roles as (Al Kady) in the FX (Fox) TV show "Tyrant", then his enigmatic appearance in the BBC TV mini-series "The Last Post", to a much-celebrated guest-star appearance as the multi-lingual historic leader (Ziyadat-Allah) at The History Channel TV show "Vikings" in season 5, 2019.

In a film festival in 2016 celebrating Arabic film submissions to the Oscars, Abol Naga was honored for being the most submitted actor from the MENA region in film submissions to the The Oscars (The Academy Award) for Best Foreign Language Film. He is often tagged in western media as Egypt's "Brad Pitt" for their career similarities, Also tagged as the next "Omar Sharif" especially after his American debut movie Civic Duty in 2007, he was also tagged as "Egypt's International treasure" for his multiple talents and unprecedented courage advocating for freedom & justice in his home country Egypt as a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador. Abol Naga's successful career across the Middle-east started in TV networks as a TV & Radio host in prime-time shows as early as 2000.

Famous for his unexpected yet smart choices of scripts & roles, Abol Naga created a vast & diverse filmography with unprecedented wide acclaim from critics & audiences throughout the Arab & international film societies, creating a unique phenomenon in his generation; almost all of his major films have an "exportable" nature to other cultures with special notice to his performances.

Abol Naga as a Producer since 2009, created with others a new wave of possibilities in the Egyptian independent film industry, from co-producing "Heliopolis" 2009 which went on to feature in over a dozen festivals, to his revolutionary production of "Microphone" 2010 in which a new generation of DSLR cameras were used for the first time to shoot a theatrically released feature film, He founded "iTeam Cairo" agency which aims to help indie filmmakers.

Abol Naga is well known for his social and human rights advocacy, He has been one of the early outspoken icons from Egypt promoting social justice, freedom and democratic change to the Arab world in general and Egypt in specific, He played a pivotal role in supporting the Egyptian Revolution Jan 25'th 2011. he has a very admirable work record of social & human rights (especially child rights), He was appointed as a UNICEF UN Goodwill Ambassador in Egypt 2007 till 2015.

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Naga's American debut was in 2006's Civic Duty (2006) in which he gave a compelling portrayal of one of the two leads "Gabe Hassan" he made numerous films in his native Egypt. Here is how it all began ...

Since his first major public appearance as a TV late-night show host in 1999, It was only a matter of few roles to reach an Award-winning star status in Egypt.

He studied Tele-communication Engineering and graduated with honors from Ain Shams University, Cairo, one of the most prestigious Engineering schools in Egypt, meanwhile Water polo as his hobby grew fast to become almost a profession when he was chosen to play in Egypt's national Water polo team as its Goal Keeper, But it was his other passion of acting & singing at the Theatre Department of The American University in Cairo that grew with him gradually to become his chosen final career.

Exchange of hobbies and professions happened several times: First when Water polo became the main focus for him 1986-1989, then Spacecrafts and Tele-Communications research at The The University of Surrey in the UK in 1991, while playing Water polo for his varsity team in European tournaments. He also worked as a Fashion Catwalk Model and a fashion photographer.

In 1999 another switch happened when he (as a famous young face & well established catwalk model in Egypt) was offered to Host a TV program at Nile Variety Channel as a part of a new TV pan-Arab Network inaugurated by state-owned ERTU in Egypt. He became the talk of the the nation with his new fresh style of TV hosting. He hosted and interviewed all kinds of celebrities, regional and international. Naga left the Nile Variety channel in October 2000, joined MBC TV Network in June 2001.

Ezzat El Alaili was born on 15 September 1934 in Cairo, Egypt. He was an actor, known for Kuwait Connection (1973), Leila Fi Shahr 7 (1988) and Zaier el-fager (1975). He died on 5 February 2021 in 6th of October, Egypt.

Ahmed Ezz is often described as "the most versatile actor in the Middle East," with numerous accolades in his professional career spanning over 20 years and over 30 Film/TV prolific credits to his name. Ezz is one of the few actors from his region known for crafting originality in the characters he plays. His popularity stems from his versatility as an actor in comedy, drama, thriller and action film and television. In 2022, he starred in the epic action drama "Kira & El Gin" which became the highest grossing Egyptian film in the Middle East, where he received the prestigious "Favorite Actor" Award at Saudi Arabia's Joy Awards in 2023.

Tawfik El Deken was born on 3 May 1924 in Egypt. He was an actor, known for El Fetewa (1957), El-Raqesah wa el-Tabbal (1984) and El mushajibun (1965). He was married to Nawal El Rakhawi. He died on 26 November 1988 in Cairo, Egypt.

Hussein Fahmy was born on 22 March 1940 in Cairo, Egypt. He is an actor, known for Garden City Ladies (1997), Viva Zalata (1976) and El-Fatenah wa el-Salook (1974).