'Adel Emam' (sometimes credited as: 'Adel Imam'), (
Arabic: عادل إمام), born
May 17,
1940, is a popular
Egyptian movie and
stage actor. He is primarily a
comedian, but he has starred in more serious works and, especially early in his earlier films, combined comedy with romance.
He earned a
Bachelor's Degree in
Agriculture from
Cairo University. Since then he has appeared in over 100 movies and 10
plays. He is probably the most famous actor in the
Arab World. He has received critical and popular praise throughout his career. Short, slight, and with a face seemingly more appropriate a
character actor than a leading man -- let alone a star whose career has flourished since the late sixties -- Adel Imam is able to portray characters from all social strata and backgrounds.
His roles have displayed a wide range of
humor including
slapstick,
farce, and even the occasional
double entendre. His characters tend to be down on their luck rising above powerful outside pressures. This has proved an extremely resilient type in the Arab World.
In January
2000, the
United Nations appointed him as a
Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR. Since then, he has worked tirelessly for the cause of
refugees.
In 2005, he starred in ''Sifaara fil'Aimara'' (''Embassy in the Building''), playing a Cairene everyman inconvenienced when the Embassy of
Israel moves into his apartment building.
In 2006, he appeared as one of the many stars 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 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.
Family
Emam is married and has three children, the young director Rami Imam, Sarah Emam who is married to the son of the
Muslim Brotherhood Leader , and lastly Mohammed Emam who is currently studying at The
American University in Cairo. He is the brother of Esam Imam and Saleh Imam. His brother-in-law is the late actor
Mustafa Metwalli. As Adel Emam stated in his latest talk show with the host
Hala Sarhan,
Amin Shalaby is considered one of his best friends since college..
Works
Films
★ Ana wa Hua wa Hiia (1964).
★ El Ragol da hai Ganini (1967).
★ El Khouroug min El Guana (1967).
★ Karamet Zawgaty (1967).
★ Kayfa Tesrak Millionaire (1968).
★ Helwa wa Shakia (1968).
★ Hekayet Thalass Banat (1968).
★ Ana Al Doctor (1968).
★ Afrit Merati (1968).
★ Afrah (1968).
★ Bahth An Fadiha, al- (1973).
★ Katel Ma Katelsh had (1979).
★ Athkiya' Laken Aghbiya' (1980).
★ Ala Bab El Wazir (1982).
★ Harrif, El (1983).
★ Hata la yatir al dokhan.
★ El Halfoot.
★ El Motasawel.
★ Ragab Foq Safeeh Sakhen.
★ karakoon Fel Shar'e.
★ Ramadan Fo Borkan.
★ ELmansy
★ Elavocato
★ Mosagel Khatar.
★ gezeeret El shaytan.
★ Al Irhab Wal Kabab (1993).
★ Al Irhabi (1994).
★ Amir El Zalam (2002).
★ El Tagrubah El Danemarkiyyah (2003).
★ Aris men geha amnya (2004).
★ El Sefara Fi El Emara (2005).
★
Omaret Yakobean (2006).
★ Morgan Ahmed Morgan (2007)
★ Shaban ta7t elsefr
★ Resala ela elwaly
★ Losos laken zorafa
★ Elshaiaten wel kora
★ Elmahfaza ma3ia
★ Shams elzanaty
★ Men fina elharamy
Plays
★ Body Guard.
★ Al Zaeem.
★ El Wad Sayed El Shaghal.(It was for 9 years the longest play ever)
★ Shahed Mashafsh Haga.
★
Madraset El Moshaghbeen.
★ Haalit Hob
★ Ana Fein Winti Fein
★ Ana we Howa we Heya ( first Play - Acting as Desoky Afandy )
External links
★ Myspace
[1]
★
★
Adel Imam, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
★
Adel Imam Information and Acting Career in English