Profile

• Name: Omar Mohamed Salah al-Din al-Hariri
• Profession: Egyptian actor (cinema, theatre, television)
• Years active: Late 1940s to 2011
• Date of birth: 12 February 1926
• Place of birth: Cairo, Egypt
• Date of death: 16 October 2011
• Place of death: Cairo, Egypt

Early Life and Education

• Studied at the Higher Institute for Arabic Acting (later known as the Higher Institute of Theatrical Arts) and graduated in 1947.
• His interest in performance began in school theatre; after graduation, he joined professional stage work.

Career

• Theatre: Emerged from Egypt’s National Theatre (al-Masrah al-Qawmi), appearing in dozens of productions that established him as one of his generation’s most dignified leading men. He excelled in poised, sober roles as well as sharp social comedies, and was known for portraying legal and official characters with notable discipline and balance.
• Cinema: From the late 1940s, he took part in romantic, social, and tragic films, distinguished by a calm screen presence, measured vocal delivery, and understated expression.
• Television and Radio: A pioneer of Egyptian TV drama from the 1960s onward, he performed in social, historical, and comedic series, alongside numerous radio dramas.

Notable Works

• Theatre:

• Shahid Ma-Shafsh Haga — A landmark Egyptian stage comedy; the title means “A Witness Who Didn’t See Anything.”

• Cinema:

• al-Wisada al-Khalia (The Empty Pillow, 1957) — A classic romantic melodrama.
• Sukkar Hanem — “Hanem/Hanim” is an Ottoman-derived honorific meaning “lady”; the title loosely suggests “Sugar Lady.”
• al-'Ataba al-Khadra' — The title references Cairo’s 'Ataba Square; “al-Khadra'” means “the green.”
• Salama fi Khair — Often rendered “Salama Is Fine,” a celebrated Egyptian comedy title.
• Maw‘id ma‘a al-Hayah — “Appointment with Life.”
• al-'Anisa Hanfi — “Miss Hanfi,” a famous gender-bending comedy.
• Ma‘ali al-Wazir — “His Excellency the Minister”; “Ma‘ali” is a formal honorific for high-office holders.

• al-Nasir Salah al-Din — Commonly known in English as “Saladin the Victorious.”

• Television:

• Ahlam al-Fata al-Ta'er (1978) — “Dreams of the Flying Boy,” a beloved Egyptian series.
• Sakin Qusadi — “The Neighbor Across from Me,” a popular sitcom format.
• Alf Layla wa Layla — “One Thousand and One Nights,” adaptations of the famed tales.
• Wa Kisbna al-Qadiyya — “And We Won the Case.”

Awards and Honors

• Over the decades, his career received wide critical praise and public acclaim, with numerous tributes recognizing his enduring impact.

Personal Life

• Came from a culturally engaged family. His daughter, Merit Omar al-Hariri, is known within artistic and media circles.

Artistic Traits

• Calm, rational performance; dignified presence; mastery in portraying disciplined, authoritative characters; and a refined approach to comedy without excess.
• Considered a face that bridged the founding generation of Egyptian theatre/TV and the medium’s subsequent transformations.

Passing and Legacy

• He passed away in October 2011 after a career spanning more than six decades. His imprint remains especially strong in theatre and television, with several roles becoming touchstones in popular memory.

Facts and Anecdotes

• His early graduation in 1947 placed him among the first cohorts that shaped academic acting in Egypt.
• Known for meticulous character preparation and strict punctuality for rehearsals and performances, becoming a practical role model for later generations.