Lotfy Labib (1947-2025): A unique talent

Al-Ahram Weekly

a day ago

Last Tuesday, while this newspaper went to print, my colleague called to say that actor Lotfy Labib had been admitted to the intensive care and his condition did not bode well.
He advised me to start putting together an obituary, but I was too sad to be rushed and I felt I needed time to give the comedian who had delighted so Egyptians for over 30 years his dues.
On Wednesday the news of Labib passing at the age of 77 came through.
Labib was born on 18 August 1947 in Beni Suef. He graduated from the Higher Institute of Theatrical Arts in 1970 and three years later he became one of the heroes of the 6 October War. Labib's career was slightly delayed due to his military service, which lasted for six years. He participated in a number of TV series in the late 1970s. In 1981 he starred in the play Al-Moghaneya Al-Salaa (The Bald Singer), directed by Samir Al-Asfouri, and in 1982 he starred in another play Al-Rahaen (The Hostages), directed by Fahmi Al-Khouli.
When Lotfy Labib's name is mentioned the first thing that comes to mind is a scene in Sherif Arafa's Al-Sefara fil Omara (The Embassy Is in the Building), in which he played the role of the Israeli ambassador to Egypt David Cohen: holding a tiny cake and singing happy birthday in his distinctive voice for the benefit of his neighbour Sherif Khairy (Adel Imam), who has returned after many years abroad to find himself in this politically charged situation. Here as elsewhere Labib was one of the most remarkable actors in supporting roles, well-known for his versatility: he performed comedy and drama in theatre, television, cinema and even, early on, in radio.
In the 2000s Labib made the supporting role indispensable in such films as Gaana Al-Bayan Al-Talli (Breaking News, 2001), where he played the head of a news channel named Fakhri with comedian Mohamed Heneidi; he also left an indelible mark on Heneidi's Yana Ya Khalti (Either Me or My Auntie, 2005). He participated in Harmeya fi Thailand (Thieves in Thailand, 2003), directed by Sandra Nashaat and starring Karim Abdel-Aziz and Hanan Turk, and starred with Mohamed Saad in Al-Lembi (2002), directed by Wael Ihsan. Also with Wael Ihsan and Karim Abdel-Aziz, Labib participated in Al-Basha Telmiz (The Student Cop, 2004), playing the role of the father of Ingy (played by Ghada Adel). He joined forces again with Mohamed Saad in Karkar (2007), starring alongside Yasmine Abdel-Aziz, Hassan Hosni, Ragaa Al-Gedawi and Alaa Morsi. Labib also played the role of Sarnaqosi in the hilarious comedy H Dabour (2008), starring Ahmed Mekki and directed by Ahmed Al-Gendi.
In 1983 he participated in the second part of the TV series Abwab Al-Madina (Doors of the City), with director Fakhreddine Salah and screenwriter Osama Anwar Okasha. In 1986 he took part in the series Rehlet Abul-Ela Al-Beshri (The Journey of Abul-Ela Al-Beshri, 1986), with the late renowned Mahmoud Morsi, director Mohamed Fadel and screenwriter Osama Anwar Okasha. He also had a role in Okasha's series Arabesque (1994), directed by Gamal Abdel-Hamid and starring Salah Al-Saadani. He contributed a small role to filmmaker Mohamed Khan's film Awdet Mowaten (Return of a Citizen, 1986), starring Yehia Al-Fakharani and Mervat Amin.
In 2006, Labib played the role of Abdo Abdel-Aal in Kamla Abu-Zekri's Malek wi Ketaba (Double Faces). His most recent works include the Ramadan TV series Rageen Ya Hawa (Back to Love, 2022), directed by Mohamed Salama and Naql Aam (Public Transport), another series starring Mahmoud Hemeida, directed by Adel Adib. He also starred in the comedy film Wesh fi Wesh (Face to Face), directed by Walid Al-Halafawi, playing Farga Al-Sheibi, the divorce lawyer consulted via video call, during which he quarrels with his counterpart.
His last appearance was in the TV series Banat Hammam (Hammam's Daughters, 2025), directed by Karim Refaat.
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