President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has instructed Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health, to closely monitor the health of veteran actor Mohamed Sobhy and provide all necessary medical support.
Mohamed Sobhy is an Egyptian actor, and theatrical director who has left an indelible mark on the Arab world’s performing arts scene. Born in Cairo in 1948, Sobhy’s passion for theater began early.
He gained widespread attention in 1967 when he played the role of Hamlet in a unique adaptation for his final project at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, from which he graduated with honors and was later appointed as an instructor.
Sobhy began his theatrical journey performing minor roles alongside iconic figures such as Salah Mansour, Mohamed Awad, Fouad el-Mohandes, and Mohamed Negm.
His first notable appearance came in the celebrated play Hello Shalaby in 1970, followed by his breakthrough leading role in Entaha el Dars Ya Ghabi (The Lesson is Over, Stupid). Over the decades, he became one of Egypt’s most distinguished theater artists, starring in and directing numerous successful plays including Al Joker (The Joker), Al Hamagy (The Barbarian), Weghet Nazar (A Point of View), and Carmen. His work on television also cemented his popularity, with standout roles in beloved series such as Fares Bela Gawad (A Knight Without a Horse) and Yawmeyat Wanees (Wanees’ Diaries).
Sobhy’s creative vision has consistently reflected social awareness and intellectual depth. His play Khebetna, first performed in 2018, was originally conceived in 2004 during the Iraq War. He described it as a work of magical realism inspired by Francis Fukuyama’s The End of History and the Last Man and the writings of historian Bernard Lewis. The play contemplates the fate of the Arab world and has been adapted to reflect changing regional dynamics. The Studio Tamseel troupe participated in the production, with Samah El-Saeed and Nada Maher among the cast.
In 2020, Sobhy’s play Ana w el Nahla w el Dabour (Me and the Bee and the Hornet) was broadcast on Ten TV during Eid al-Adha. It humorously tackled the timeless conflict between men and women in the household, presenting the issue in a sophisticated and meaningful way. The cast included Samah El-Saeed, Abdel Rehim Hassan, and Hazem El Kady. Following that, Sobhy announced a new comic production titled Nogoom El Doher.
A towering figure in Arab theater, Sobhy previously celebrated the golden jubilee of his renowned troupe Studio El-Momasel (Actor Studio), marking 50 years since its founding in 1969. The event honored graduates of Sobhy’s theater school from across generations under the theme “Mohamed Sobhy… 50 Years of Theater.” The ceremony included iconic scenes from 28 of the troupe’s plays featuring legendary Egyptian actors such as Mahmoud El-Meligy, Tawfiq El-Duqen, Jamil Rateb, Suad Nasr, and others.
Sobhy’s contributions have been recognized regionally and internationally. He was honored at the Carthage Theater Days Festival in 2017 and at the Sharjah Theatre Festival in 2018 by Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, ruler of Sharjah. His influence extends beyond acting and directing, as seen in his collaboration with businessman Hassan Rateb to develop Sonbol City into Sama Sonbol Academy, a cultural and educational hub nurturing young talents in music, acting, directing, and other arts.
A cultured and enlightened artist, Mohamed Sobhy remains a symbol of intellectual theater and artistic integrity. His dedication to art, education, and societal progress has made him a true role model and one of the Arab world’s most respected theatrical pioneers.
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