Adel Emam: The Most Popular Arab Actor in History

Egypt Today

17-05-2025

Adel Emam.
Today marks the birthday of the leader of Egyptian and Arab cinema, TV drama, and theater in Egypt and the Arab world Adel Emam dubbed 'El Zaeem'.
The legendary Emam is Egypt's biggest actor for over four decades of box office hits, series, and plays under his belt.
In theatre what made his stardom was his immortal role in ''Madrasat El-Mushaghebeen'' ( Rioters School) as Bahgat el Abaseiry this loser funny student, who is the leader of his other loser friends.
He performed several successful roles in plays like ''Shahid Mashafsh Haga'' ( A witnesser who didn't see anything), El-Wad Sayed El-Shaghal ( the servant named Sayed), El-Zaiim ( The Leader), and ''Body Guard''.
His cinematic repertoire includes several movies like '' Ehena Betoaa el Autobees' (We Are The Bus People). El-Avocato ( The Lawyer), El-Irhab Wel-Kabab ( Terrorism and Kebab), 'Bakhit We Adeela', 'Amir El-Zalam' ( Prince of Darkness), 'Aris Men Geha Amneya' ( A bridegroom from a security place), El-Sefara Fel Omara ( The Embassy in the Building), 'Alzheimer', 'Bobos' among others.
His TV debut was in 1978 through ' Ahlam El-Fata El-Taer' ( The Dreams of El Taer) then 'Domou fi Oyoun Waqeha' ( Tears in slut eyes) in 1980.
After a long hiatus, he returned to TV drama in 2012 through " Fer'et Naji Atallah " (Naji Atallah's group), continuing his annual presence in the Ramadan marathon every year through several successful series such as " El Araf' (The fortune teller), 'Saheb el Canada' (His highness), 'Afaret Adli Alam'(Adli Alam's Ghosts), and "Awalem Khafeya' (Hidden Worlds) in 2018.
Emam has won seven awards, including two from the Cairo National Festival for Egyptian Cinema for Best Actor for his roles in 'El-Irhabi' (The Terrorist) and 'Omaret Yacoubian' (The Yacoubian Building).
The Yacoubian Building also earned him an International Jury Award at the São Paulo International Film Festival and a Special Mention for Actor in a Narrative Feature from the Tribeca Film Festival.
The Dubai International Film Festival awarded him twice the Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2005 and 2008.
Emam was awarded as well the Golden Star in 2014 at the Marrakech International Film Festival, and the Golden Tanit in 2016 at the Carthage Film Festival.
Despite being the most important comedian in the history of Egyptian cinema he later performed serious dramatic works while maintaining his comedic style, reflecting ordinary citizens struggles with powerful social or political pressures.
Adel Emam by every sense of the word is an unrepeatable artistic actor, not only on the top of the artistic pyramid but he claimed the first rank inside the hearts of millions of his fans in Egypt and the whole world.
Emam is the only actor in the history of Egyptian art who remained number one all these years.
Egypt Today wishes the happiest birthday to the one who draws the smile on our faces and makes us laugh from the bottom of our hearts for years and years.