Jump to content

Adel Emam

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Adel Emam
عادل إمام
Adel Emam at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival on December 28, 2009.
Born
Adel Mohammed Emam Mohammed Bukhariny

(1940-05-17) May 17, 1940 (age 86)
Mansoura, Kingdom of Egypt
Other namesEl Zaeem (الزعيم, 'The Boss')
EducationCairo University
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active1962–2020
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
SpouseHala Al Shalaqani
Children3, including Mohamed and Ramy
RelativesMustafa Metwalli (brother-in-law)

Adel Mohammed Emam Mohammed Bukhariny (Arabic: عادل محمد إمام محمد بخاريني; born 17 May 1940)[1] is an Egyptian film, television, and stage actor. Over a career spanning more than 150 films, plays, and television series in comedic, social, and political genres,[2] he became known as one of the leading figures of the second generation of Egyptian and Arab comedy performers.[3] Although primarily known for comedy, he also took on more dramatic material, and in his early secondary roles combined comedy with romance, notably in films such as My Wife, the Director General, My Wife's Dignity, My Wife's Goblin and Virgo, all films starring Salah Zulfikar.

Emam began acting in the 1960s and became one of the best-known performers in Egyptian cinema. He holds a bachelor's degree in Agriculture from Cairo University, and has appeared in more than 103 films and 10 stage plays.[4] He is married to Hala El-Shalaqani; their children include director Ramy Emam and actor Mohamed Emam.

Through roles that addressed social and political issues, Emam gained wide popularity across the Arab world during the 1980s and 1990s and is frequently described in Egyptian media as one of the country's leading cultural figures.[5][6]

Emam has received a number of lifetime achievement awards and honors from Egyptian and international film festivals. In January 2000, the United Nations appointed him a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR.

Personal life

[edit]

Early life and education

[edit]
Cairo University's theater (the Grand Celebration Hall), where Emam trained on stage in his youth.

Adel Emam was born into a poor farming family on 17 May 1940 in the Sayeda Aisha district of Cairo,[1] though his family's origins trace back to the village of Shaha in the Mansoura district of Dakahlia Governorate. His full name is Adel Mohammed Emam Mohammed Bukhariny (Arabic: عادل محمد إمام محمد بخاريني). Emam has said he was very close to his mother and was deeply affected by her death.[7] His father, Mohamed Emam, was religious and worked as a "shawish" in the police force;[1] he died in 1997 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.[8] Emam has one brother, producer Essam Emam, and two sisters, Eman and Mona.[9] Mustafa Metwalli, his brother-in-law, is married to his sister Eman.[1]

During his childhood, Emam moved with his family from Sayeda Aisha to the Helmiya district, then to Omrania in Giza, then to Mohandiseen, and later to Mansouria.[1] He studied at Helmiya School before transferring to Benbaqdgan Secondary School and then to Marqosiya Secondary School in Alexandria. He then joined the Faculty of Agriculture at Cairo University, where his classmates included actor Salah El-Saadany and future Syrian Prime Minister Mahmoud Al-Zoubi.[10] Emam has said that Amin Shalaby, Younes Shalaby, Saeed Saleh, and Salah Al-Saadani were his closest friends from university.[11] He began performing at Cairo University's theater and appeared in the play Ana Wa Howa Wa Heya (1963) during his third year there.[12]

His marriage and family

[edit]

Emam has been married once, to Hala El-Shalaqani, since the mid-1960s. In interviews, he has said he was not initially interested in marriage, but that his wife, who came from a wealthy, land-owning family with ties to the Liberal Constitutional Party, was determined to marry him despite their different social backgrounds, and that her family was reluctant given his status at the time as an actor in minor roles. In one televised account, Emam described how he and his wife were once at the home of their friend Samir Khafaga when he first saw her, and that although others around them tried to flirt with her, he did not, saying he did not know how.[13]

Hala El-Shalaqani discussed their early relationship in an interview with media personality Mufid Fawzy, saying she had insisted on marrying Emam because he was shy and hesitant about starting a new relationship. She recalled: "He once told me that he wasn't thinking about marriage at all."[14] Emam has said the couple chose not to hold a wedding ceremony in order to save money, and that they built their household gradually, first buying a chair, then a refrigerator, then a stove. He has also said the marriage took place without his wife's family's approval, since they objected to his status as a film extra at the time, adding: "God loves me because I married Hala."[15]

Emam with his grandchildren

Emam has three children: director Ramy Emam, Sarah Emam, and actor Mohamed Emam, who played Taha El-Shazli in The Yacoubian Building. He has eight grandchildren: Adel, Ezz El-Din, and Roqaya (Ramy's children); Hala, Camellia, and Amina (Sarah's daughters); and Khadija and Qismat (Mohamed's daughters).[16] Ramy's wife is Yasmine, Sarah's husband is Ahmed Mokbel, and Mohamed's wife is Nouran Talaat.[17][18]

Emam typically spends summers with his children and grandchildren at a family villa on the North Coast. He is a keen reader and keeps a large personal library, and has a longstanding hobby of gardening.[19]

Net worth

[edit]

No official figures for Emam's wealth have been published. Some media reports have estimated his net worth at around $100 million, making him the richest actor in Egypt, though these figures are not independently verified.[20][21]

Acting career

[edit]

1962–1969: Early career breakthrough

[edit]

Emam began performing in theater in Ana w Howa w Heya (1962) with Fouad El-Mohandes and Shwikar,[22] and made his film debut in 1967 in small roles.[3] His early film work included My Wife, the Director General (1966), My Wife's Dignity (1967), followed by his first significant role in My Wife's Goblin (1968) opposite Salah Zulfikar and Shadia.[22] He was part of a younger generation of actors who emerged during a period of social and political change in 1960s Egypt, and was noted for both comedic and dramatic range.[22] Despite his early minor roles, Emam drew the attention of writer Mahmud Sadani, who discussed him in his 1969 book The Comedians:[23][24]

If Adel Imam realized how talented and in demand he is, he would have saved himself from the trap set for him. If he didn’t quickly escape from this narrow corner he was placed in, to roles of light-hearted villainy, the charming conman, a mix of Richard Widmark and Clifton Webb, a blend of Tawfik El-Deken and Fouad el-Mohandes, a concoction of Hassan Yousef and Abdel Moneim Ibrahim, even if Adel failed to escape this fate, even if he remained stagnant in supporting roles, it would not diminish his talent, nor undermine his stature as a brilliant, talented, and great artist.

— Mahmud Sadani, The Comedians (1969), p. 167

1970s: Rise to fame

[edit]
Emam (left) with Salah Zulfikar in Virgo, 1970.

In the early 1970s, Emam gained a reputation for comedic and dramatic versatility,[25] with roles including Virgo (1970), alongside Salah Zulfikar, and Searching for the Scandal (1973), shared with Mervat Amin and Samir Sabry.

During the early 1970s, Emam appeared in films addressing themes of love, youth, and societal pressures.[26] Bahibek Ya Helwa (1970), co-starring Hassan Youssef and Nahed Sherif, was a romantic comedy centered on emerging youth culture and its effect on relationships.

Emam (left) with Abdel Halim Hafez during a recording session, 1973.

By the mid-1970s, Emam was a household name in Egyptian cinema. His roles in comedy and theatre, including Madraset El Moshaghbeen (1973), established him as one of the leading comic actors of the period. [27] In that play, he played the mischievous character Bahgat El Abasery, one of his best-known roles.[28] In 1976, he starred in the play Shahed Ma Shafsh Haga (Witness Who Saw Nothing) alongside Omar Al-Hariri and Nahed Jabr.[29]

1980s: Versatile roles

[edit]
Emam in the 1980s.

The 1980s marked a period of both professional growth for Emam, as he took on various characters across genres between comedy and drama. One of his notable films during the early 1980s was The Suspect (Arabic: المشبوه, 1981). The 1981 film Al-Mashbooh marked a significant turning point in Adel Emam's career, shifting from comedy to action and crime. The film explores themes of societal chaos, economic struggle, and personal redemption in the early 1980s, as the protagonist, Maher Al-Nemr, grapples with his criminal past and attempts to build a better future. The soundtrack by Hani Shnouda played a crucial role in intensifying the film's dramatic tension, blending music with the narrative. The movie not only showcased Emam's acting range beyond comedy but also set the stage for successful collaborations between him, Seif, and Shnouda in future films. It also symbolized a shift in Egyptian cinema towards realism and social commentary.[30]

Adel Emam's diverse roles in 1980s show his versatility as one of the industry's most influential figures.[23] In the 1980s, he was one of the highest-paid actors, and his films garnered the highest box office earnings during that period.[23][31] His on-screen chemistry with actress Soad Hosny, another iconic star, added a unique charm to their collaboration in films like Love in a Jail Cell (1983). In The Street Player (1983), Emam’s portrayal of a character who blends humor with social commentary marked a pivotal moment in his career. The film's success further established him as a central figure in Egypt's evolving cinematic landscape. Additionally, Emam starred in Smart but Foolish (1980), a light-hearted comedy.

Moreover, in The Human Lives Only Once (1981), Emam depicted a man undergoing a transformation after personal trials, combining humor with emotional depth. Similarly, in At the Minister’s Door (1982), he portrayed a character struggling with the absurdities of bureaucracy while seeking a government job. Known for his sharp comedic timing, Emam masterfully infused humor into the frustrations of dealing with corruption and inefficiency.

Hamada and Tutu’s Gang (1982) marked a departure from his typical comedic roles. His performance brought a mix of action and comedy, as he portrayed a character caught in a world of crime and chaos. In The Beggar (1983), Emam played a man who, after a life of wealth, finds himself on the streets as a beggar. The film was an important social commentary on the plight of the poor.

Adel Emam acted in a unique experience in 1984 in his film So That the Smoke Doesn’t Fly. It is based on the novel by Ihsan Abdel Quddous, Emam portrayed a man who navigates the complications of addiction and personal life. His performance was marked by emotional depth as he handled both the personal turmoil and societal judgment.[32] Another unique film was The Humans and the Jinn (1985). It was Emam’s only foray into the horror genre, where he played a man caught between the worlds of humans and supernatural entities. He bring a unique touch to a genre that was not common in Arab cinema at the time. Emam also participated in theatrical production Al-Wad Sayed Al-Shaghal (1993), where he played the character of Sayed, a charming and witty young man navigating the complexities of love and social expectations. The play premiered for the first time on July 20, 1985, and continued its run for 8 years until 1993. According to several critics, it is considered one of the best Arabic plays.[33][34]

1990s: Career peak

[edit]

The 1990s marked the peak of Adel Emam's career, as he reigned over the Egyptian cinema, being the highest-paid actor and the number one star in Arab cinema.[35] His collaborations with directors like Sherif Arafa produced iconic works such as Terrorism and Kebab (1992), though technically just outside this decade, and Jazeerat al-Shaytan (1987). Emam’s style in the 1990s was often characterized by strong social criticism laced with humor. His performances in these films resonated with wide audiences across the Arab world, earning him massive popularity.

During an interview between Adel Emam and the journalist Mufid Fawzy behind-the-scenes of the movie El-Mansi (1993), Adel Emam said: "Time is my only competitor".[23] He confirmed that he does not focus on anything other than his work and clarified a fundamental truth, which is that time is his only competitor due to his intense desire to give everything he has. Therefore, he is always busy with his projects and often presents more than one film in a year, in addition to performing a play on a daily basis.[23]

In the 1990s, Adel Emam maintained his dominance in the Egyptian film industry. He continued to take on socially relevant roles that reflected the political and social realities of Egypt. One of his most famous films from this era is Al-La'ib Ma'a Al-Kibar (Playing with the Big Boys, 1991) which is a black comedy in which Emam starred as an ordinary man who gets entangled with powerful individuals in a game of high stakes. The film's satirical tone was a commentary on the power dynamics and corruption within society. Another famous film is The Terrorist, which was one of Emam's most critically acclaimed works, combined humor with a profound social and political message. The movie focused on a terrorist who seeks redemption, and Emam's portrayal brought depth to a character who was tragic. In 1998, Emam took on the role of a man who becomes an unlikely hero after being asked to deliver an important letter to a corrupt governor in Risala Ela Al-Wali (1998).

Adel Emam earned the title of Al-Zaeem "The Leader" after mastering his role in the play Al-Zaeem (1993), in which he portrayed a role that resonated with themes of political power and leadership. Adel Emam was the number one actor in the Arab world during the 1980s and 1990s.[4]

2000–2023: Continued prominence

[edit]
Adel Emam on February 2, 2006

The 2000s saw Adel Emam evolve into an elder statesman of Egyptian cinema. He continued to act in both films and television series, maintaining a strong presence in Egyptian entertainment. In 2003 he was main role in the film The danish experience. The film was considered to be an "enormous success. The danish experience was also the highest grossing film in Lebanon that year.[36]

One of his key films from the 2000s was The Embassy in the Building (2005), where he took on the role of a man who gets caught up in a political thriller involving international intrigue. Adel Emam played a Cairene everyman inconvenienced when the Embassy of Israel moves into his apartment building. In the following year, Adel Emam was one of the ensemble cast of The Yacoubian Building, a film reputed to be the highest-budgeted in Egyptian cinema and adapted from the novel of the same name. The story is a sharp look at contemporary Egyptian life through the prism of a faded downtown Cairo apartment building. Emam portrays an aging roué whose misadventures form a central strand of the film's complex narrative.[37][38]

Emam was an important national figure in Egypt largely because of the Egyptian political roles he took on in many of his films and plays, he always focused on Egypt's politics and religious problems. These roles, whether he intended it or not, often put him in a critical position vis-à-vis the president or the government, such as The Terrorist (1994) alongside Salah Zulfikar in Zulfikar's final film role. He has been cast several times by the producer Emad Adeeb in movies like Morgan Ahmed Morgan (2007), and Hassan and Marcus (2008) starring Omar Sharif.

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.[39]

His last work was a tv series called Valentino released in 2020 making the actor the highest paid in Ramadan television series.[40]

In celebration of Adel Imam's 88th birthday, his 2010 film "Alzheimer" was re-released in cinemas across Egypt and Arab countries from May 16 to 18, 2024. This move was part of a strategy to honor prominent artistic figures in the Arab world.[41]

Retirement

[edit]

On January 21, 2024, it was officially confirmed that Emam has retired, as his son, Rami Emam, stated that his father decided to step away from artistic endeavors to dedicate his time to family life. He retired from acting after a 60-year career.[42][43][44]

Works

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Film in Arabic Name Translation Role
1964 Ana Wa Howa Wa Heya Me, him and her (film) Dessouky – assistant to Hamdy the lawyer
1965 Al-Modir Al-Fanny The Artistic Director
1965 Al-Uqalaa Al-Thalatha The Three Wise Men the buffet worker (minor role)
1966 Mirati Modeer Aam My Wife, the Director General Abou El-Magd
1966 3 Losoos Three Thieves a passenger on the bus (minor role)
1966 Sayed Darwish (biographical film about composer Sayed Darwish)
1966 Agaza Bel-Afya A Well-Deserved Vacation Mabrouk, a detective
1967 Karamat Zawgaty My Wife's Dignity Amin
1967 Al-Khoroog Men Al-Ganna Exit from Paradise Abbas, secretary to the Mokhtar (mayor)
1967 Al-Ragel Da Hayganenny This Man Will Drive Me Crazy Talba Abbas, a lawyer's assistant
1968 Afreet Mirati My Wife's Goblin Shafei
1968 Losoos Laken Zorafaa Thieves, But Charming Ones Ismail
1968 Helwa We Shaqeya Pretty and Naughty Latif
1968 Kayfa Tasriq Milyoneir How to Rob a Millionaire Mansour
1968 Afraah Weddings Halim
1968 Ana Al-Doctor I Am the Doctor Abdo Nofalgin
1968 Hikayet 3 Banat The Story of 3 Girls Fahmy
1969 Ana We Meraty Wel Gaw Me, My Wife, and the Weather Shawkat
1969 Fatat Al-Este'raad The Showgirl Fahmy
1969 Nos Sa'a Gawaz Half an Hour of Marriage Sameh
1969 Al-Nas Elly Gowa The People Inside Souka
1969 7 Ayyam Fi Al-Ganna 7 Days in Paradise Shokry, a journalist
1970 Borj El-Athraa Virgo Amin
1970 Hob Al-Morahekat Teenage Girls in Love
1970 Bahibek Ya Helwa I Love You, Beautiful Said
1970 Al-Miraya The Mirror Hamdy
1970 Reda Bond (a play on "James Bond") Salah Eid
1971 Sahira (short) Witch Waiter
1971 Al-Buyut Asrar Houses Have Secrets Raouf
1971 Gharam Fi Al-Tareeq Al-Zera'i Love on the Agricultural Road Hamada
1971 Rehla Latheeza A Delicious Trip Metwally
1971 Mozakerat Al-Anesa Manal The Diary of Miss Manal Aouf
1971 Shabab Fi Asefa Youth in a Storm Saleh
1971 Banat Fi Al-Gam'a Girls at University Ibrahim
1972 Adwaa Al-Madina City Lights Sharshar
1973 Endama Yughanna Al-Hob When Love Is Sung Mounir
1973 Shea' Men Al-Hob A Bit of Love Adel
1973 Al-Shayateen Wal-Kora The Devils and the Ball Okasha
1973 Al-Bahth An Fadiha Searching for the Scandal Magdy
1973 Kalam Fel-Hob (Shellat Al-Moshaghebeen) Talk of Love (The Troublemakers' Gang) the director, Rico
1974 Al-Muhem Al-Hob What Matters Is Love Fahmi
1974 24 Sa'a Hob 24 Hours of Love Ahmed
1974 Shayateen Ela Al-Abad Devils Forever Fakhrany Abdel-Hamid
1974 Al-Zawag Al-Sa'eed The Happy Marriage Magdy
1975 Al-Bahth An Al-Mataeb In Search of Trouble Shaaban
1975 Sabreen Sabreen Mohamed
1975 Al-Kul Awez Yehebb Everyone Wants to Love Abdel-Salam Khafaga
1975 Alo.. Ana Al-Otta Hello, I'm the Cat Mahboub
1975 Mamnou' Fi Laylat Al-Dokhla Forbidden on the Wedding Night Tahsin
1976 Malek Al-Taxi The Taxi King Essam
1976 Gawaz Ala Al-Hawa Marriage on a Whim Ghareeb
1976 Azwag Ta'esheen Reckless Husbands Sherif
1977 Al-Azwag Al-Shayateen The Devilish Husbands Mamdouh
1977 Zahrat Al-Banafsag The Violet Flower Nasser
1977 Gens Na'em The Fair Sex Adel
1977 Harami Al-Hob The Thief of Love Ma'moun
1978 Al Baad Yathhab Lil Mathon Maratain Some Go to the Marriage Officer Twice Masoud Al-Sharnoubi
1978 Mugamaroun Hawl Al-Alam Adventurers Around the World Mamdouh
1978 Ragab Fawq Safeeh Sakhen Ragab on a Hot Tin Roof Ragab Abdel-Barr
1978 Al-Mahfaza Ma'aya The Wallet Is With Me Atwa
1978 Shabab Yarqus Fawq Al-Nar Youth Dancing on Fire Adel
1978 Aib Ya Lulu.. Ya Lulu Aib Shame on You, Lulu Shehab Aly
1979 Ihna Bitua' al-Autobis We are the Bus people Jabir
1979 Khally Balak Men Giranak Beware of Your Neighbors Ahmed Nafei, a lawyer
1979 Qatel Ma Ataltesh Hadd A Killer Who Never Killed Anyone Adel Ghareeb
1979 Al-Lo'ba The Game Zaghloul
1979 Al-Khudaa Al-Khafeya The Hidden Deception Sami Wahdan, a journalist
1980 Al-Jaheem Hell Ramzi
1980 Shaaban Taht Al-Sefr Shaaban Below Zero Shaaban / Farid Al-Ghatrifi
1980 Ghawy Mashakel Trouble Lover Medhat
1980 Azkeyaa Laken Aghbeyaa Smart but Foolish Zaghloul Ezdahmed / Bahira
1980 Ragol Faqad Aqlo A Man Who Lost His Mind Zaki / Ziko
1981 Al-Mashbouh The Suspect Maher Sayed Aly
1981 Ummahat Fi Al-Manfa Mothers in Exile Hassouna
1981 Laylat Shitaa Dafia A Warm Winter Night Mamdouh Amin
1981 Al-Ensan Yaeesh Marra Wahda The Human Lives Only Once Hany Aly Sultan
1981 Entakhabu Al-Doctor Suleiman Abdel-Basset Elect Dr. Suleiman Abdel-Basset Dr. Suleiman Abdel-Basset
1982 Ala Bab Al-Wazir At the Minister's Door Kamal Abdel-Samad
1982 Esabet Hamada wa Tutu Hamada and Tutu's Gang Hamada Al-Zaftawy
1983 El Harrif The Professional Fares Bakr
1983 Al-Motasawel The Beggar Hasanin Al-Bartoushy
1983 El Avocato The Advocate Hasan Sabanekh
1983 Al-Ghoul The Ghoul Adel Issa
1983 Khamsa Bab (title uncertain — possibly "Five Doors") Mansour
1983 Wala Men Shaf Wala Men Dara No One Saw, No One Knew Morsi
1983 Antar Shayel Seifo Antar, Carrying His Sword Antar
1983 Hob Fi Al-Zinzana Love in a Jail Cell Salah Al-Gharbawy
1984 Hatta La-Yeteer Al-Dukhan So that smoke won't fly Fahmi Abdel-Hady
1984 Al Ins wa Algen Humans and The Jinn Jalal Sultan
1984 Meen Fina El-Harami Which One of Us is the Thief? Sherif / Hussein
1984 2 Ala Al-Tareeq 2 On the Road Mamdouh
1984 Ehtares Men Al-Khat Beware of the Line Khosousi / Al-Khat Khalifa Al-Khat
1984 Wahda Be Wahda One for One Salah Fouad
1985 Al Halfout (colloquial term, roughly "street hustler") Arafa Mashawer
1985 Ramadan Fawq Al-Borkan Ramadan Above the Volcano Ramadan
1985 Zoug Taht Al-Talab Husband on Demand Mamdouh Fetiha
1985 Ana Elly Atalt Al-Hanash I'm the One Who Killed the Snake Hassanein
1985 Khally Balak Men Aqlak Mind Your Mind Wael
1987 Al-Nemr Wal-Ontha The Tiger And The Female Major Waheed
1989 Al-Mouled The Mawlid (Festival) Ibrahim (Hema) / Ghareeb / Barakat
1990 Jazeerat al-Shaytan Devil's Island Jalal
1990 Hanafy Al-Abbah Hanafy Al-Abbah Hanafy Al-Abbah
1991 Al-La'ib Ma'a Al-Kibar Playing with the Big Boys Hassan Behnasi Behloul
1991 Shams Elzanaty Shams Elzanaty Shams Elzanaty
1991 Musaggal Khatar A Marked Man (habitual offender) Sayed Kabaka
1992 El Erhab Wal Kabab Terrorism and Kebab Ahmed Fathallah
1993 El Mansy The Forgotten Youssef El Mansy
1994 Al-Erhabi The Terrorist Ali Abdel-Zaher (alias Mostafa Abdel-Rahman)
1995 Bekheet Wa Adeela Bekheet And Adeela Bekheet
1995 Toyoor Al-Zalaam Birds Of Darkness Fathy Nofal
1996 Al-Nom Fil-Assal Sleeping In The Honey Colonel Magdi Nour
1996 Bekheet Wa Adeela 2: El-Gardal wel-Kanaka Bekheet and Adeela 2: The Pail and the Coffeepot Bekheet
1998 Risala Ela Al-Wali A Message to the Governor Harfoosh Ben Barqouq Al-Rakabdar
1999 El-Wad Mahroos Betaa El-Wazeer Mahroos; The Minister's Guy Mahroos Matawe Al-Dokhakhny
2000 Bekheet Wa Adeela 3: Hello America Bekheet And Adeela 3: Hello America Bekheet Hanidak Al-Mohaitel
2002 Ameer Al-Thalaam Prince of Darkness Saeed Al-Masri
2003 Al-Tagroba Al-Danemarkeya The Danish Experiment Qadri Al-Manyawi
2004 Arees Menn Gehha Amneya A Security Service Groom Khattab Al-Naggari
2005 El-Sefara fi El-Omara The Embassy Is In The Building Sherif Khairy
2006 Emaret Yaqubian The Yacoubian Building Zaki Al-Dessouki
2007 Morgan Ahmad Morgan Morgan Ahmad Morgan Morgan Ahmad Morgan
2008 Hassan w Morqos Hassan and Marcus Boules / Hassan Al-Attar
2009 Bobbos Bobbos Mohsen Hendawi
2010 Zahaimar Alzheimer's Mahmoud Shoeib
2020 Omar Men Al-Bahga A Lifetime of Joy himself (archival footage)

Television

[edit]
Year TV Series in Arabic Name Translation Role
1964 Al-Manshet Al-Ahmar The Red Headline
1966 Sheikh Al-Hara The Neighborhood Sheikh
1968 Al-Wahm The Illusion
1969 Al-Fannan Wal-Handasa The Artist and Engineering Said
1969 Masyadat Al-Doctor Ghorab Dr. Ghorab's Trap
1970 Adam Wa Hawa Wal-Shaitan Adam, Eve, and the Devil Adam
1970 Al-Nashal The Pickpocket Salama
1971 Al-Naseeb Fate
1971 Meen Wala Meen Which One
1973 Al-Ragol Wal-Dokhan The Man and the Smoke Bisyouny
1978 Ahlam Al fata Al ta2r Dreams Of The Fugitive Boy Ibrahim El-Tayer
1978 Kayfa Takhsar Milyoun Guinea How to Lose a Million Pounds Hamza
1980 Dumu Fi Uyun Waqeha Tears In Insolent Eyes Gomaa Mahmoud Al-Shawan
2012 Firqit Naji Atallah Naji Atallah's Team Naji Atallah
2013 Al Aaraf The Fortune-teller Abd-El-Hamid El-Bakry / Hazem Ghorbal / Al-Brens / Mostafa Zahran / Araby El-Kahky / Sobhy Abou-El-Fadl / Abou-El-Haggag El-Masry / Shawky El-Mor / Mahmoud Salem
2014 Saheb El Saada His Majesty Bahgat Abou-Kheir
2015 Ostaz wa rayees kesm Professor and Head of Department Fawzy Gomaa
2016 Ma'amoon wa shorakaah Ma'amoon and his partners Ma'amoon Mobasher Abu El-Ata
2017 Afareet Adly Alam Adly Alam's Ghosts Adly Alam
2018 Awalem Khafyah Hidden Worlds Helal Kamel
2020 Valentino Valentino Noor Mohamed Ahmed Valentino

Plays

[edit]
Year Play in Arabic Name Translation Role
1960 Serri Gedan Very Secret
1963 Ana Wa Howa Wa Heya Me, him and her Dessouky
1965 Ana Feen W Enti Feen Where am I and where are you? Haikal
1966 Al-Nassabeen Scammers
1967 Dhat Al-Bijama Al-Hamraa Red Pajamas Hassan
1967 Halet Hob A State of Love Elham Al-Malfouf
1967 Hessa Qabl Al-Nawm A Bedtime Lesson
1970 Gharameyat Afifi Khalifa
1971 Madrast Al-Mushaghebeen The School of Mischievous Bahgat Al-Abasiry
1975 Shahed Ma Shafsh Haga The Witness Who Didn't See Anything Sarhan Abdelbaseer
1975 Qesat Al-Hay Al-Gharby The Story of the West Side
1984 Al-Wad Sayed Al-Shaghal The Boy Sayyed The Servant Sayed Al-Kawawy
1993 Al-Zaeem The Leader Al-Zaeem (Zeinhom)
1999 Body Guard Body Guard Adham Al-Gabali

Radio

[edit]
Year In Arabic Name Translation Role
1972 Sabreen Sabreen
1973 Argouk La Tafhamny Bi Sur'a Please Don't Understand Me So Quickly Ahmed
1981 Ala Bab Al-Wazir At the Minister's Door Kamal
undated Al-Ensan Yaeesh Marra Wahda The Human Lives Only Once
undated Ta'aban Gedan Very Tired the psychiatrist

Societal and humanitarian contributions

[edit]
Adel Emam speaking at the Cairo International Book Fair in 2000.

Adel Emam has significantly influenced societal and humanitarian efforts beyond his career in the arts. Emam has also been an advocate for political and social progress in Egypt. He was an outspoken support for democratic principles and freedom of expression during periods of political upheaval. Furthermore, he has been active in charitable work, notably in healthcare and education. He has contributed to funding hospitals and educational initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for marginalized communities.[45][AI-retrieved source] Adel Imam makes donations and provides assistance to those in need without publicizing them. He prefers these charitable acts to remain "private," away from the spotlight and media, without any fanfare.[19]

In recognition of his humanitarian contributions, Emam was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).[46][AI-retrieved source] This role allowed him to support the rights and needs of refugees and displaced individuals. By using his widespread fame, he participated in numerous campaigns and events to raise awareness about the plight of refugees.[47] When Adel Emam became Goodwill Ambassador he said:

In many of my films I fight against discrimination and raise awareness about poverty and social problems – issues that need to be addressed but which are often not discussed easily.[46]

Emam’s political influence extends to his cinematic work. He has explored pressing local and regional issues. His films have addressed topics such as terrorism, sectarian violence, and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. A prominent example is his 1994 film The Terrorist, which delved into the impact of extremism. The film’s release coincided with a notable incident: the attempted assassination of Adel Emam by Muhammad Kroum, a former member of an extremist group. Kroum revealed that he was tasked with assassinating Adel Imam because of his film The Terrorist, which raised awareness among young people about jihadist movements.[48] This highlighted the controversial and impactful nature of Emam's work. Many of today's stars acknowledge Imam's credit for giving them golden opportunities at the beginning of their artistic careers, and it is said that he does not only offer advice and guidance, but also seeks to provide actual support by providing job opportunities and participating in artistic works.[19] Randa Abu al-Azm, director of Al Arabiya’s office in Egypt, remarked during an interview on Al-Hekaya with Amr Adib on MBC Masr: "We could produce twenty successful documentaries about Adel Emam".[49]

[edit]

In February 2012, Emam was sentenced (in absentia) to three months in jail for offending Islam.[50] Emam said he would appeal the sentence.[51] On September 12, 2012, Emam won his appeal when a Cairo misdemeanours court cleared him of defaming Islam in his films.[52]

Awards and honours

[edit]
Adel Emam on December 3, 2015

Adel Emam has received numerous awards throughout his five-decade career. He won the Horus Award twice, for his leading roles in Omaret Yakobean and Al-irhabi, at the Cairo International Film Festival. Additionally, in 2014, a testament to his legacy he was honored with the Honorary Award at the Marrakech International Film Festival. His international acclaim continued as he received the International Jury Award at the São Paulo International Film Festival.[53] Furthermore, in both 2005 and 2008, the Dubai International Film Festival awarded Adel Emam the Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2017, he was presented with the first-ever Career Achievement Award at the El-Gouna Film Festival. Most recently, in January 2024, he was honored with the Arab Art Leader Award at the Joy Awards.[54]

Cairo International Film Festival

[edit]
Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
1995 Best Actor Al-Irhabi (The Terrorist) Won
2007 Best Actor Omaret Yakobean (The Yacoubian Building) Won

Dubai International Film Festival

[edit]
Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2005 Lifetime Achievement Award All his works Won [55]
2008 Lifetime Achievement Award All his works Won [56]
[57]
[58]

El Gouna Film Festival

[edit]
Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2017 Career Achievement Award All his works Won [59]

Joy Awards

[edit]
Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2024 Arab Art Leader Award All his works Won [54]

Marrakech International Film Festival

[edit]
Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2014 Honorary Award Alzheimer's Won [60]
[61]

São Paulo International Film Festival

[edit]
Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2006 Best Actor Omaret Yakobean (The Yacoubian Building) Won [62]

Tribeca Film Festival

[edit]
Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2006 Actor in a Narrative Feature Omaret Yakobean (The Yacoubian Building) Won [63]

Egyptian honours

[edit]

Foreign honours

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 بيدس, أشرف (2018-01-01). عادل إمام: الغالب مستمر [Adel Imam: The Winner Endures] (in Arabic). سما للنشر والتوزيع. p. 28. ISBN 978-977-781-148-4. Archived from the original on 12 February 2022.
  2. ↑ "The Top 3 Arab Male Actors". Forbes Middle East. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  3. 1 2 كمال, إيمان. ""الزعيم" عادل إمام.. 60 عاما من اللعب مع الكبار" ["The Leader" Adel Imam: 60 Years of Playing with the Big Leagues]. الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  4. 1 2 "Adel Emam: The biggest star in Arab cinema". Arab News. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  5. ↑ أمين, هبة (2020-05-16). "في عيد ميلاده.. أشهر إفيهات عادل إمام "زعيم القلش": هو الدين بيقول إيه" [On His Birthday: Adel Imam's Most Famous Catchphrases as the "King of Comedy": "What Does Religion Say?"]. الوطن (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  6. ↑ "Notebook: adel emam". www.amazon.ae. أمازون. Archived from the original on 12 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  7. ↑ "On his 80th birthday... These are the most important women in Adel Imam's life" (in Arabic). Al Arabiya. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  8. ↑ "Surprise: Adel Imam's father suffered from Alzheimer's before his death | Sayidaty Magazine". www.sayidaty.net (in Arabic). Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  9. ↑ "5 unknown facts about "Madrasat Al-Mushaghibeen"". Laha Magazine. 2015-05-19. Archived from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
  10. ↑ Aḥmad ʿAlāwinah (1998), ذيل الأعلام (in Arabic), vol. 3 (1st ed.), Jeddah: Dar al-Manarah, p. 187, OCLC 39194562, Wikidata Q115452583
  11. ↑ "لقاء الزعيم "عادل إمام" مع هالة سرحان من إحتفالية روتانا سينما". Rotana Cinema. December 31, 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-03-15. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  12. ↑ "Yes, I Am Famous. Adel Imam - Episode 2. Minute 30:00" (in Arabic). Shahid.net. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  13. ↑ "بدأت من الشباك.. قصة حب عادل إمام وهالة الشلقاني". الأسبوع (in Arabic). 2023-05-17. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  14. ↑ CBC Egypt (2024-05-17). "كانت قصة حب من نوع خاص، قولت لو هتجوز مش هتجوز غيرها".. الزعيم عادل إمام عن شريكة حياته وقصة حبهما. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via YouTube.
  15. ↑ "عادل إمام: ربنا بيحبنى إنى تزوجت هالة وقصة حبنا من نوع خاص.. فيديو". اليوم السابع (in Arabic). 2024-05-15. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  16. ↑ Motawa, Walaa. "After Rami's son celebrated his graduation: These are Adel Imam's grandchildren". Layalina (in Arabic). Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  17. ↑ "Khabr Abyad | Sarah Adel Imam ventures into business, opens a restaurant in the North Coast with her husband Ahmed Mokbel". Khabr Abyad. 2021-06-08. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  18. ↑ "After they welcomed their daughter Khadija: Mohamed Imam and Noura celebrate her arrival". Masrawy. 2019-06-17. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  19. 1 2 3 "أسرار عادل إمام.. ما لا تعرفه عن والده وطفولته وزوجته وثروته وسجنه | دال" (in Arabic). 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  20. ↑ Boddu, Rishitha (2023-12-22). "From 'Omaret Yakobean' to 'The Yacoubian Building'; What Is Adel Emam's Net Worth?". www.marketrealist.com. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  21. ↑ "Richest Actors - TOP 510 Richest Actors". nichesss.com. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  22. 1 2 3 "عادل إمام يتصدر اهتمامات المصريين... والجمهور يستعيد أفلامه" [Adel Imam Tops Egyptians' Interests... Fans Revisit His Films]. aawsat.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 "عادل إمام في السينما ومنافسة دائمة مع الزمن.. بدأ الزعامة نهاية السبعينيات بإيرادات قياسية وأكدها في الثمانينيات.. الكاتب محمود السعدني قدم نصيحة غيرت مسيرته السينمائية.. وأدواره المختلفة نالت إعجاب الجماهير" [Adel Imam in Cinema and His Ongoing Battle with Time: He Began His Reign in the Late 1970s with Record-Breaking Box Office Earnings and Solidified It in the 1980s. Writer Mahmoud El-Saadany Offered a Piece of Advice That Changed His Cinematic Career, and His Diverse Roles Won the Admiration of Audiences.]. اليوم السابع (in Arabic). 2024-05-17. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  24. ↑ فرج, عبد الله. "أطوار عادل إمام.. التملص من السذاجة إلى قمة هرم الزعامة" [The Phases of Adel Imam: From Escaping Naivety to Reaching the Pinnacle of Leadership]. الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  25. ↑ "60 عاما على ظهوره.. كيف تحول عادل إمام من "السنّيد" إلى "الزعيم"؟ | الحرة" [Decades After His Debut: How Did Adel Imam Transform from a "Supporting Actor" to "The Leader"?]. www.alhurra.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  26. ↑ "دراما السبعينيات.. ظلال التقلبات الاجتماعية على الشاشة الصغيرة" [Seventies Drama: Reflections of Social Upheavals on the Small Screen]. الجزيرة الوثائقية (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  27. ↑ "مدرسة المشاغبين علامة فارقة في تاريخ عادل إمام.. تعرفوا كيف أسهمت في مسيرته | مجلة سيدتي" [Madraset El Moshaghbeen: A Milestone in Adel Imam's Career... Discover How It Shaped His Journey]. www.sayidaty.net (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  28. ↑ زكريا, عصام (2022-03-01). "عادل إمام... ثورة بهجت الأباصيري!" [Adel Imam... The Revolution of Bahgat Al-Abasiri!]. باب مصر (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  29. ↑ المُصّوَر (in Arabic). موسوعة دار الهلال. 1989. p. 25.
  30. ↑ "حين ألوذ بموسيقى "المشبوه"" [When I Seek Refuge in the Music of "Al-Mashboh" (The Suspect)]. اليوم السابع (in Arabic). 2021-06-02. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  31. ↑ الكويتية, جريدة الجريدة (2007-10-03). "عادل إمام... من الحارة إلى السفارة 18 بعد نجاحي في الثمانينات زادت وسوستي ورفضت تخفيض أجري كان من الطبيعي بعد رجب أن يأتي شعبان ثم رمضان" [Adel Imam... From the Alley to Embassy 18: After my success in the 1980s, my ego grew, and I refused to lower my salary. It was only natural that after Rajab, came Shaaban, then Ramadan.]. جريدة الجريدة الكويتية (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  32. ↑ عثمان, كريم (2020-01-24). "آخرها "حتى لا يطير الدخان".. أعمال روائية خُلدت بفيلم ومسلسل" [The Latest: "So That the Smoke Doesn’t Fly" – Novels Immortalized in Film and TV Series]. الوطن (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  33. ↑ الترباوي, حمزة (18 November 2016). "أشهر 13 مسرحية عربية لن تنسى" [13 Most Famous Arab Plays You Will Never Forget].
  34. ↑ "«إجازة العيد في البيت».. مسرحيات كوميدية لا تفوت مشاهدتها في عيد الأضحى". نجوم إف إم (in Arabic). 2024-06-12. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  35. ↑ "الأعلى أجرا فى1997.. عادل ونادية الجندى أغلى الممثلين وعمرو دياب نجم الغناء" [The Highest-Paid in 1997: Adel Imam and Nadia El-Gendy Were the Most Expensive Actors, and Amr Diab Was the Singing Star.]. اليوم السابع (in Arabic). 2022-08-26. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  36. ↑ Adel Imam outs James Bond and puts Nicole Saba ahead of Nicole Kidman (translated title), Al-Mustaqbal (newspaper) (in Arabic), Retrieved December 14, 2010 (noting that the film was viewed by about 80,000 in Lebanon, beating out Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl)
  37. ↑ "الخميس.. عادل إمام يسافر للغردقة استعدادا لتكريمه بمهرجان الجونة السينمائى - اليوم السابع". اليوم السابع (in Arabic). 2017-09-16. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  38. ↑ "عادل إمام يتسلم جائزة الإنجاز الإبداعى فى الدورة الأولى للجونة السينمائى - اليوم السابع". اليوم السابع (in Arabic). 2017-09-05. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  39. ↑ "Adel Emam: The Most Popular Arab Actor in History". Egypt Today. Egypt Today. 17 May 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  40. ↑ "Highest paid actors of Ramadan TV series: Adel Emam tops the list". Ahram Online. Ahram Online. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  41. ↑ "Adel Imam returns to cinema again after an absence of 14 years". Sbisiali News Portal. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  42. ↑ "رامي إمام يطمئن الجمهور على عادل إمام: "الزعيم" قرر يتفرغ للحياة الأسرية". مصراوي.كوم (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2024-01-20. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  43. ↑ "الزعيم يعتزل الفن". www.msn.com. Archived from the original on 2024-01-22. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  44. ↑ "عادل إمام يعتزل الفن.. نجله يؤكد". العربية (in Arabic). 2024-01-21. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  45. ↑ "Adel Emam Net Worth: A Look Into The Life And Career Of Egypt's Comedy King". TheHandcraftHub Secrets. 2024-12-16. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  46. 1 2 "Adel Imam". UNHCR UK. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  47. ↑ "Goodwill Ambassador Adel Imam". UNHCR Egypt. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  48. ↑ Sada Elbalad - صدى البلد (2024-05-18). المكلف باغتيال عادل إمام: عبود الزمر أمر بالتخلص من الزعيم بسبب أفلامه التي لم تخلو من الجماعات. Retrieved 2024-12-25 – via YouTube.
  49. ↑ "Adel Emam's political, social roles explored in new documentary - Screens - Arts & Culture". Ahram Online. Archived from the original on 2023-07-30. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  50. ↑ "BBC News - Egyptian court upholds actor Adel Imam's sentence". bbc.co.uk. 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2013-06-30.
  51. ↑ "Islamists halt filming of Egyptian TV series". Daily News Egypt. 2012-02-09. Archived from the original on 2016-06-10. Retrieved 2015-08-09.
  52. ↑ "Egyptian actor Adel Imam wins appeal in defaming Islam case". Ahram Online. 2012-09-12.
  53. ↑ "41ª Mostra Internacional de Cinema - 30ª Mostra - Premiações". 41.mostra.org. Retrieved 2018-03-17.
  54. 1 2 "Adel Imam receives Arab Art Leader Award at Joy Awards 2024 amid retirement confirmation". 2024-01-21.
  55. ↑ Bishara, Motez. "Dubai honours Arab film icon". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  56. ↑ "Celebrating the birthday of the one and only Adel Emam". EgyptToday. 2023-05-17. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  57. ↑ "Adel Imam: The Icon of Egyptian Art and Actor Nonpareil". en.majalla.com. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  58. ↑ "Adel Emam: 50 years of artistic leadership". EgyptToday. 2019-05-17. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  59. ↑ "El-Gouna Film Festival to honour Egyptian actor Adel Imam with Career Achievement Award - Film - Arts & Culture - Ahram Online". english.ahram.org.eg. Retrieved 2018-03-17.
  60. ↑ "14th EDITION 2014". Marrakech International Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  61. ↑ "Adel Imam monte les marches (PHOTOS)". Al HuffPost Maghreb (in French). 2014-12-06. Archived from the original on June 25, 2015. Retrieved 2018-03-17.
  62. ↑ "São Paulo International Film Festival 2006". MUBI. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  63. ↑ "Tribeca Film - The Yacoubian Building". www.tribecafilm.com/.
  64. ↑ "Adel Imam évoque ses souvenirs avec Bouteflika chez le président tunisien (Vidéo)". 2016-12-04.
  65. ↑ "LEBANON-EGYPT-IMAM". 2003.
  66. ↑ "سلِّم لى على عادل إمام". 2019-01-16.
  67. ↑ "عادل امام ــ توسيمه من لدن الملك الحسن الثاني رحمه الله". YouTube. 10 July 2014.
  68. ↑ "Adel Imam à Carthage : Décoré du Mérite culturel". 2016-11-03.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Adel_Emam&oldid=1374496725"