If someone has the unique distinction of appearing in the most successful action and drama films in the heydays of Egypt's cinema, it is undoubtedly Mahmoud El-Meligy,
He was one of the most renowned and acclaimed villains that the Egyptian film industry could ever have. El-Meligy has been the definition and benchmark of drama for a long time now. His seminal works have made the world of Drama and Cinema laugh, cry and feel for years and still continue to leave their charm.
He is known for playing negative roles and is fondly remembered for his performance as Mohammed Abu-Swuleim in “the Land” film, among others.
The actor passed away on this day in the year 1983 but is still alive in the hearts of millions of Arab people.
El-Meligy, who was called “The Ghoul,” was born in the El-Migherbeleen district on March 8th, 1928 to a father who was a government employee and a mother of Kurdish origin.
The late actor had always been passionate about acting and before coming into films, he acted in various plays at Al-Rihani Theater.
Often referred to as the “the most charismatic man in his generation,” he made numerous films that garnered attention from people across the Arab world.
El-Meligy shot to fame with his success in The Marriage in 1933 and many remarkable films and great performances followed suit. His performance in “ Wedad” (1936) gave him much praise from his fans and critics alike.
First, as the muse of director and filmmaker Youssef Chahine in several hit films and later for his iconic role in Al-Ard (The Land), Meligy has sealed his place in the annals of Egyptian cinema history and the hearts and minds of millions of Egyptians and Arab audience.
Speaking to Egypt's media, Chaine said, "I was afraid to look El-Meligy in the eye when he was acting due to the degree of his identification with the character he was performing."
Throughout his long-standing career, he featured in many action films like “Lastu Mallak” (I’m Not an Angel), The land ( 1969), Dock No 5 (1956), Abu-Hadeed (1958), and A Hero Until the End (1963), Wedad (1936, Fritz Kramp) and A Woman's Heart (1940, Togo Mizrahi). However, in Martyrs of Passion (1944, Kamal Selim) and Son of the Devil (1969).
He played many iconic roles, such as the brother of Mustafa Kamel, the Egyptian national leader in Mustafa Kamel (1952, Ahmed Badrkhan), the drunken helpless father in Days and Nights (1955, Barakat), the French lawyer in Djamilah (1958, Youssef Chahine) until he reached his magnum opus performance in The Land (1970, Youssef Chaine).
According to Masbiro Zaman, Elmeligy's appealing voice and great expressions made him a flawless actor.
Between 1950s and 1970s, there was hardly any movie that did not feature him as a villain. He was a part of around 350 films.
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 El-Gagar” (Rom’s City).
He eventually became famous as a villain in films, but 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.
He is also known for joint collaborations and associations with legendary Egyptian actors like the late remarkable actor Omar El Sherif, Faried Shawky, Rushdi Abaza, Anwar Wagdi, Faten Hamama, Ismaeil Yassin, and Abdel-Halim Hafiz.
Despite his death, the remarkable actor still continues to be a role model for aspiring actors and still sets an example, when it comes to submitting oneself to a career.
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