Ahmad Zaki
Encyclopedia
Ahmed Zaki, (Ahmad Zaky; November 18, 1949 – March 27, 2005) was a leading Egyptian
film star. He was characterised by his talent, skill and ability in impersonating. He was also famous for his on-screen vehemence, often genuinely hitting co-stars during scenes of violence. He is widely regarded the greatest male star in the history of Arabian cinema.
, about 50 miles north of Cairo
, Egypt. He graduated from Zagazig's Crafts School in 1967, and then traveled to Cairo to study cinema before he graduated from the Cairo Higher Institute for Drama Studies in 1974.
part as a room service attendant in the comedy play Hello Shalabi; (the original actor didn't show up, and Ahmed who was working as Soft Drinks vendor at the time, managed to get the fill-in on one night) he managed to make an impressive comic sketch, notably impersonating the celebrated villain actor Mahmoud el-Meliguy
which managed to let everyone take note of his impressive, natural performance. Such impersonation was Zaki's favourite hobby, and it was a skill he developed over time.
People in the street often hailed him as Sbel, in reference to his role in the classic comedy play Madrasit El-Mushaghibin (The School for Trouble Makers). His leap to stardom began when he got a leading role in the successful 1978 comedy play Al-Iyal Kibrit (The Children have Grown Up) then his television impersonation of the blind Egyptian littérateur Taha Hussein ("the dean of Arabic literature") in the serial drama of the latter's eponymous autobiography El-Ayyam (The Days).
. Zaki appeared in more than 60 films throughout his career.
Many of his films were written by screenwriter Wahid Hamed and had a strong political message that exposed governmental
and police corruption
. He also starred in the famous 1980s television comedy musical series Howa we Heya with actress Souad Houssni. Zaki also starred in a series of successful action movies during the mid-and late-1990s.
Two of his greatest successes were playing Egypt's presidents in two popular movies that became landmarks of Arabic cinema. He played presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser
in Nasser 56
, a movie that centered on the fateful summer of 1956 when then-President Nasser nationalizing the Suez Canal
), and Anwar Sadat
in the movie The Days of Sadat (2001) with director Mohammed Khan which he also produced. The movie depicted 40 years of the late president's life. He also had plans to play president Hosni Mubarak
in a third movie. He is also known for portraying prominent characters in Egyptian history like Taha Hussein.
Zaki was seen as an icon and spokesperson for the average Egyptian youth, he was also considered the heir to Farid Shawki
as Malek El Terso ("The King of the Third Class" - a reference to his popularity among the poor, who bought third-class seats in movie theatres) in an Egyptian magazine. The two starred together in two movies several years earlier.
He was a known heavy smoker. Zaki had been in intensive care at Dar Al Fouad Hospital in Sixth of October City, just outside Cairo, and died of lung cancer
complications, after president Hosni Mubarak offered to send him to France
for medical treatment at the government's expense and granting him the Merit of Arts award for his work in over 50 movies.
A book about Zaki has been released under the title of “Ahmad Zaki wa Symphoniet Ibda’” (Ahmad Zaki: A Symphonic Innovation Masterpiece). The book features details of his acting career and includes a compilation of articles by different critics including Tareq Al Shinawi, Mohammad Al Shafe’ee and Waleed Saif.
Darb El Hawa
Shader Il Samak (1985)
Egyptians
Egyptians are nation an ethnic group made up of Mediterranean North Africans, the indigenous people of Egypt.Egyptian identity is closely tied to geography. The population of Egypt is concentrated in the lower Nile Valley, the small strip of cultivable land stretching from the First Cataract to...
film star. He was characterised by his talent, skill and ability in impersonating. He was also famous for his on-screen vehemence, often genuinely hitting co-stars during scenes of violence. He is widely regarded the greatest male star in the history of Arabian cinema.
Early days
Ahmed Zaki was born in the city of ZagazigZagazig
Zagazig is a town in Lower Egypt. Situated in the eastern part of the Nile delta, it is the capital of the governorate of Sharqia.As of 1999, its population was approximately 279,000. It is built on a branch of the Fresh Water or Ismaïlia Canal and on al-Muˤizz Canal , and is 47 miles by rail...
, about 50 miles north of Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, Egypt. He graduated from Zagazig's Crafts School in 1967, and then traveled to Cairo to study cinema before he graduated from the Cairo Higher Institute for Drama Studies in 1974.
part as a room service attendant in the comedy play Hello Shalabi; (the original actor didn't show up, and Ahmed who was working as Soft Drinks vendor at the time, managed to get the fill-in on one night) he managed to make an impressive comic sketch, notably impersonating the celebrated villain actor Mahmoud el-Meliguy
Mahmoud el-Meliguy
Mahmoud el-Meliguy 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...
which managed to let everyone take note of his impressive, natural performance. Such impersonation was Zaki's favourite hobby, and it was a skill he developed over time.
People in the street often hailed him as Sbel, in reference to his role in the classic comedy play Madrasit El-Mushaghibin (The School for Trouble Makers). His leap to stardom began when he got a leading role in the successful 1978 comedy play Al-Iyal Kibrit (The Children have Grown Up) then his television impersonation of the blind Egyptian littérateur Taha Hussein ("the dean of Arabic literature") in the serial drama of the latter's eponymous autobiography El-Ayyam (The Days).
Career highlights
He made his first film, Abnaa Elsamt (Children of Silence), in 1974. By 1980 he had made six films, including (Alexandria, Why?) with Egypt's best known director, Yusuf ShahinYoussef Chahine
Youssef Chahine was an Egyptian film director active in the Egyptian film industry since 1950. He was credited with launching the career of actor Omar Sharif...
. Zaki appeared in more than 60 films throughout his career.
Many of his films were written by screenwriter Wahid Hamed and had a strong political message that exposed governmental
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
and police corruption
Police corruption
Police corruption is a specific form of police misconduct designed to obtain financial benefits, other personal gain, or career advancement for a police officer or officers in exchange for not pursuing, or selectively pursuing, an investigation or arrest....
. He also starred in the famous 1980s television comedy musical series Howa we Heya with actress Souad Houssni. Zaki also starred in a series of successful action movies during the mid-and late-1990s.
Two of his greatest successes were playing Egypt's presidents in two popular movies that became landmarks of Arabic cinema. He played presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser
Gamal Abdel Nasser
Gamal Abdel Nasser Hussein was the second President of Egypt from 1956 until his death. A colonel in the Egyptian army, Nasser led the Egyptian Revolution of 1952 along with Muhammad Naguib, the first president, which overthrew the monarchy of Egypt and Sudan, and heralded a new period of...
in Nasser 56
Nasser 56
Nasser 56 is a 1996 Egyptian historical film directed by Mohamed Fadel, starring Ahmed Zaki. The film focuses on the nationalization of the Suez Canal by Egypt's second President, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and the subsequent invasion of Egypt by Israel, the United Kingdom, and France.Throughout the film,...
, a movie that centered on the fateful summer of 1956 when then-President Nasser nationalizing the Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation...
), and Anwar Sadat
Anwar Sadat
Muhammad Anwar al-Sadat was the third President of Egypt, serving from 15 October 1970 until his assassination by fundamentalist army officers on 6 October 1981...
in the movie The Days of Sadat (2001) with director Mohammed Khan which he also produced. The movie depicted 40 years of the late president's life. He also had plans to play president Hosni Mubarak
Hosni Mubarak
Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak is a former Egyptian politician and military commander. He served as the fourth President of Egypt from 1981 to 2011....
in a third movie. He is also known for portraying prominent characters in Egyptian history like Taha Hussein.
Zaki was seen as an icon and spokesperson for the average Egyptian youth, he was also considered the heir to Farid Shawki
Farid Shawki
Farid Shawki Mohammad Abduh Badawi known as Farid Shawki was an Egyptian actor, screenwriter and film producer...
as Malek El Terso ("The King of the Third Class" - a reference to his popularity among the poor, who bought third-class seats in movie theatres) in an Egyptian magazine. The two starred together in two movies several years earlier.
He was a known heavy smoker. Zaki had been in intensive care at Dar Al Fouad Hospital in Sixth of October City, just outside Cairo, and died of lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
complications, after president Hosni Mubarak offered to send him to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
for medical treatment at the government's expense and granting him the Merit of Arts award for his work in over 50 movies.
A book about Zaki has been released under the title of “Ahmad Zaki wa Symphoniet Ibda’” (Ahmad Zaki: A Symphonic Innovation Masterpiece). The book features details of his acting career and includes a compilation of articles by different critics including Tareq Al Shinawi, Mohammad Al Shafe’ee and Waleed Saif.
Filmography in order of release dates
- 1974 Abnaa Al-Samt (The Children of Silence, M Radi - D Abdel-Sayed)
- 1978 El Omr Lahza (Life is a Second, M Radi )
- 1978 Iskanderia... lih? (Why Alexandria?)
- 1979 Chafika et MetwalChafika et MetwalChafika et Metwal Chafika et Metwal Chafika et Metwal ("Chafika et Metwal"," Shafika and Metwali "," Shafika wa Metwalli(y)" ("شفيقة و متولي") is a 1979 Egyptian drama/romance film starring Souad Hosni and Ahmed Zaki...
- 1981 Maowid ala ashaaMaowid ala ashaaMaowid ala Ashaa, , is an Egyptian romance movie, starring Souad Hosni and Ahmed Zaki. The life story of a beautiful and pure woman, interested of the very little things with a great sensibility....
- 1984 Al Bedaya ( the Beginning )
- 1985 Howa wa heyaHowa wa heya* " Howa wa Heya", "Him and Her," هو و هي"* director = Yehia Al-Alamy* producer = Egyptian television*writer = Sanaa Al Bisi*script and lyrics =Salah Jahin* starring =*Soad Hosny*Ahmed Zaki...
(Him & Her), TV series - 1998 Al-Darga Al-ThalithaAl-Darga Al-Thalitha*, ))* director = Sherif Arafa*producer = Arab Egyptian Films* writer = Maher Awad* starring =*Soad Hosny*Ahmed Zaki*released = 1988*country = Egypt...
,(The 3rd Class) - 1990 Al Beh Al bawab ( The Rich guard )
- 1991 Al-Ra'i wal NisaaAl-Ra'i wal Nisaa"Al-Ra'i wal Nisaa", The Shepherd and the Women), is a 1991 Egyptian drama/romance movie, starring Souad Hosni , Yousra and Ahmed Zaki.-Plot:...
, (The Shepherd and the Women) - 1993 Mister Karate
- 1996 Nasser 56
- 1998 Edhak el sora tetlaa helwa (Smile to make the photo looks good, Sherif ArafaSherif ArafaSherif Arafa is an Egyptian director, writer and producer. He was born on December 25, 1960 and graduated from the Higher Institute of Cinema in 1982...
) - 1998 El Batal (The Hero)
- 2000 Ard el khof (The Land of Fear)
- 2001 Ayam El-SadatAyam El-SadatAyyam El Sadat is a 2001 Egyptian biographical film about the late President of Egypt, Anwar Al Sadat. The movie starred several prominent actors, with the late actor Ahmad Zaki as the Egyptian president. It is considered to be one of Zaki's greatest performances, capturing intimate details about...
(Days of Sadat, Mohamed KhanMohamed KhanMohamed Hamed Hassan Khan is an Egyptian-Pakistani film director, screenwriter and actor.-Biography:Born on October 26, 1942 to an Egyptian mother and a Pakistani father, He completed his high school in Egypt, then traveled to England where studied at the London School of Film Technique Mohamed...
) - 2003 Ma'ali Al Wazir (His Excellency the Minister, S Seif)
- 2005-2006 Halim (Halim, Sherif ArafaSherif ArafaSherif Arafa is an Egyptian director, writer and producer. He was born on December 25, 1960 and graduated from the Higher Institute of Cinema in 1982...
)
Darb El Hawa
Shader Il Samak (1985)