Today Marks 88th Birth Anniv. of Samir Ghanem

Today (Jan. 15) marks the 86th birth anniversary of the beloved actor-comedian Samir Ghanem, who passed away in May 2021 due to COVID-19.

Throughout his illustrious career, Ghanem worked with all the leading stars of his time, including Ashraf Abdel Baki, Leblba, and Sohair Ramzi. His comedies were not only hilarious but also packed with social messages and one-liners that still resonate with audiences today. He touched on topics like globalization, caste oppression, equality, and the folly of superstitions, all while avoiding being preachy.

Born in January 1937 in Al-ʿAtawlah, Asyut province, Ghanem earned a BA from Alexandria University's Agriculture Department in the 1960s. He was a member of 'Tholathy Adwa'a El-Masrah,' the 1960s stand-up comedy trio, along with George Sidhom and El Deif Ahmed.

Ghanem's career took off with his role in the popular play “EL-Motzawgein” (The Married Couples). He is best known for his performances in shows such as (Goha Rules the City), ‘Faris wa Bani Khayban’ (The Knight and Disaster Clan), ‘Akhuya Hayes wana Layes’ (Happy Is My Brother, Lost Am I), ‘Ana wal-Nizam wa Hawak’ (Me, the Government and Your Love), ‘Bahloul fi Istanbul’ (Bahloul in Istanbul) and ‘Ana wa Mirati wa Monica’ (Me, My Wife and Monica).

He received numerous awards, including the Faten Hamama Honorary and Excellence Award during the Cairo International Film Festival, which is a testament to the vital role he played in the film industry and his immense contribution to Egyptian cinema.