Zaki Abdel Wahab, a remarkable Egyptian actor and film director, was born on February 18, 1961, and tragically passed away on March 20, 2022, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
As the son of the illustrious Egyptian singer Laila Mourad and director Fatin Abdel Wahab, Zaki was born into a family steeped in the arts. He graduated from the prestigious Directing Department of the Cairo Higher Institute of Cinema in 1983, setting the stage for a lifelong career in filmmaking.
Zaki's professional journey began with an impressive stint as a second assistant director in the 1981 film People on the Top, followed by numerous roles as an assistant director in Youssef Chahine's films, including the 1986 film The Sixth Day, where he made his acting debut. His acting credits also include notable films such as Alexandria Again and Forever (1989),I Love Cinema (2004),and Yousry Nasrallah's Mercedes (1993).
In 1996, Zaki directed his feature film Romantica, a poignant biography of his own life. His impressive resume also includes work as a location manager for American films and miniseries shot in Egypt, such as Mysteries of Egypt (1998) and The Mummy Returns (2001).
Zaki's personal life was marked by a brief but tumultuous marriage to actress Soad Hosny in 1981, following her separation from director Ali Badrakhan. However, the union was short-lived, and Zaki attributed their separation to his mother's opposition.
Throughout his life, Zaki remained humble and open about his experiences, sharing his story with the world through numerous interviews. Despite the challenges he faced, Zaki left an indelible mark on the Egyptian film industry and will be remembered as a talented and dedicated artist.
