Aug 03, 2019
Madiha Kamel’s 73rd Birthday
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Today’s Doodle celebrates the birthday of Egyptian actress Madiha Kamel, born in Alexandria on this day in 1946. Appearing in a diverse range of roles over a career spanning nearly three decades, she became one of Egyptian cinema’s most memorable personalities.
Participating in theater since elementary school, Kamel moved to Cairo in the early 1960s, where she took an interest in fashion and modeling. She caught the eye of a well-known director, who offered her a role in his next film. However, her parents resisted, preferring that she get married and pursue her education.
While studying at Ain Shams University, she took part in theater and radio sketches. Her earliest on-screen roles came in the mid-1960s in films such as A Girl Like No Other and 30 Days in Prison, in which she appeared opposite the great actor and producer Farid Shawqi. Known for her beguiling charm and enchanting dance moves, Kamel soon became a star.
As her profile began to rise, she kept up a rigorous schedule being featured in both Egyptian and Lebanese productions. In the 1970s, she appeared in films like The Choice, Love and Pride with Mahmoud Yassin and Najla Fathi, and the spy thriller Climbing to the Bottom. She also had a recurring role on Egyptian television playing Salwa Nassar in the popular show El Bashayer.
In 1992, Kamel retired so she could spend time with her ailing mother and her daughter Mirhan. Her legacy lives on as a trailblazer especially for women in Egyptian cultural life, inspiring other young aspiring actresses to chase their dreams.
Early concepts by artist Nate Swinehart
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