Biography — Na'ima al-Saghir

An Egyptian character actress celebrated for her raspy, unmistakable voice and commanding presence. She became an enduring icon of the “screen villain,” especially as the sharp‑tongued mother‑in‑law and the domineering matriarch.

• Name: Na'ima al-Saghir
• Profession: Egyptian actress (film, stage, and television)
• Date of birth: 25 December 1931
• Date of death: 20 October 1991
• Artistic hallmarks: A distinctive husky voice and powerful screen presence; widely associated with villainous roles and the stern “mother‑in‑law” archetype (a familiar figure in Egyptian popular culture).
• Years active: Mid‑1950s to early 1990s

Early Life and Training

She began with small parts and steadily built her profile until she became one of the most influential supporting actresses of her generation.

Career Highlights and Notable Works

• Renowned for portraying tough, intimidating characters often colored with a streak of dark humor. This made her a go‑to choice for overbearing mothers, formidable mothers‑in‑law, and outright antagonists.
• Key roles:
• "al-'Afareet" (1990) as "al-Katta'a" — a performance that cemented her status as an icon of screen villainy in Egyptian cinema.
• The overbearing mother‑in‑law in "al-Shaqqa min Haqq al-Zawja" (“The Apartment Is the Wife’s Right”) — exemplifying the classic meddling‑in‑law figure.
• "Raya wa Sakina" — as Raya, one half of the notorious early‑20th‑century duo embedded in Egyptian folklore and dramatized across film, stage, and TV.
• Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she appeared in dozens of films, series, and plays, enriching the “screen villain” mold with nuanced, human layers.

Awards and Recognition

• Secured a lasting place with both audiences and critics as one of the foremost supporting actresses in modern Egyptian screen history.

Facts and Anecdotes

• It is widely said she started her career with a different vocal timbre before developing a permanent hoarseness that became her signature, guiding her toward certain roles and setting her apart artistically.
• She passed away in 1991 after a career spanning nearly four decades, leaving a vivid legacy—especially among viewers who grew up with her late‑period work.