Fallen Star:The death of actor Ahmed Mazhar
Egypt, People, 5/11/2002

The death of actor Ahmed Mazhar (b. 8 October 1917) early yesterday morning put an end to a rich career that began with his graduation from the Military Academy in 1937.

Among his colleagues were future presidents Gamal Abdel-Nasser and Anwar El-Sadat, and, a member of the Nasser-led Free Officer's Movement, he would maintain a positive relationship with the July Revolution for a long time. A cavalry officer, he was appointed head of the Cavalry School in 1952.

Mazhar's first appearance on screen was in 1951, in the film Zuhour Al-Islam (The Rise of Islam), but he did not devote himself to cinema until 1957, when he appeared in Rudda Qalbi (Return My Heart), a pro-Revolution classic based on the novel by fellow cavalry officer and minister of culture Youssef El-Seba'i.

Of his 91 films, Do'aa Al-Karawan (The Nightingale's Song, 1959), based on the novel by Taha Hussien, Al-Aidi Al-Na'ima (Delicate Hands, 1963), based on the play by Tawfik El-Hakim and Youssef Chahine's historical film Al-Nasser Salaheddin (Saladin, 1963) are among the best remembered.

In addition Mazhar contributed to television and theatre, directed two films and worked as a script writer. He received many awards, starting in 1959 and till the end of his life.

During his later years Mazhar led a secluded, religious life, suffering from depression and increasingly life-threatening illness.

Previous Stories:
  Renowned Egyptian actor dies at 85   (5/9/2002)
  Al-Tahtawi's impact on Egyptian thought assessed   (4/29/2002)
  Top Egyptian scientist elected to NAE   (3/25/2002)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search