Remembering Mahmoud El-Meligy on His 40th Death Anniv.

Today, Jun. 6, marks the 40th anniversary of the death of renowned Egyptian actor Mahmoud El-Meligy, the so-called "The Ghoul".

El-Meligy was born in the El-Migherbeleen district on 8 March 1928 to a father who was a government employee and a mother of Kurdish origin.

El-Meligy's evil characters have always been the most iconic in Egypt's cinematic history, according to critics and filmmakers.

He began his artistic career in the Fatima Rushdie Theatrical Troupe, where he participated with her in his first film "Marriage", and with legendary Umm Kulthum in her first film "Widad".

From this point on, he featured in a number of notable film 'Lastu Mallak' (I'm Not an Angel), The land ( 1969), Dock No 5 (1956), Abu-Hadeed (1958), and A Hero Until the End (1963), and Son of the Devil (1969).

He made his breakthrough in the 1970s movie “El-Ard” (The Land), with the role of Mohammad Abu Sweilem.

El-Meligy's memorable roles were always in the Egyptian low-class milieu where he used to portray strongmen such as in 'Souq Elselah'(Weapons Markets), (The Monster (1954) and 'Madine ElGagar' ( Rom's City).

Eventually became famous as a villain in films, he was more well known as a pearl of wisdom in various TV series. El-Meligy's last film was ‘Alaa Karim’s Al-Garage’ (The Garage), in 1995, in which he starred along with the renowned Naglaa Fathi, the late actors Farouk Al-Fishawi, Tahiya Karioka, Sayed Zayan, and Alaa Walieddin.

El-Meligy is easily one of the most talented actors the Egyptian screen has seen. He also has been the definition and benchmark of comedy for a long time now. His successful works have made the world of Drama and cinema laugh, cry and feel for years and still continue to leave its charm.

Moreover, late actor El-Meligy became an epitome of courage and steadfast attitude, through the daredevil acts he attempted in his films with utmost dedication.

Throughout his career,he received many awards, including: The Medal of Sciences and Arts from the Supreme Council of Arts and Social Sciences in 1964, State Encouragement Award in 1972, Certificate of Appreciation in the Art Festival 1977 and the Gold Medal for First Pioneers.

Unfortunately, he passed away on 6 June 1983, after a long illness.