Waheed Seif — Biography

Basic Information

• Name: Waheed Seif
• Date of Birth: March 20, 1939
• Place of Birth: Alexandria, Egypt
• Date of Death: January 19, 2013
• Place of Death: Cairo, Egypt
• Profession: Comedic actor (stage/film/television)
• Education: B.A. in Arts (History), Alexandria University

Early Life and Beginnings

• Started his artistic journey in university theatre in Alexandria before moving to professional theatre in Cairo.
• Early on, he stood out for sharp improvisation and crafting the “qafsha” (a quick, witty punchline). His humor leaned on situational and character-driven comedy, with a talent for switching accents and satirically portraying both popular and bureaucratic archetypes.

Career

• His career spanned several decades from the late 1960s, with hundreds of roles across theatre, cinema, and television.
• He became known for social satire blended with light-hearted wit—often playing the opportunistic merchant, the pedantic official, or the sly employee. His strength lay in drawing laughs from character details rather than obvious one-liners, supported by a commanding stage presence and smart timing of the “ifih” (Egyptian slang for a comic punchline or gag).

Notable Works

• Al-Sayyid Abu al-'Arabi Wasal (Mr. Abu al-'Arabi Has Arrived)
• 'Ayiz Haqqi (I Want My Right)
• Muhami Khul' (Divorce Attorney; “khul'” is a form of divorce initiated by the wife under Islamic law)
• Sawaq al-Otobees (The Bus Driver)
• Gharib fi Beiti (A Stranger in My House)
• Al-Karnak (The Karnak)
• Khalli Balak min Zuzu (Watch Out for Zuzu)
• Al-Hafeed (The Grandson)
• Ragab Fawq Safih Sakhen (Ragab on a Hot Tin Plate; a playful riff on “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”)
• Khalli Balak min Giranak (Watch Out for Your Neighbors)

Personal Life

• Married multiple times.
• Children include Ashraf and Nader.

Passing and Legacy

• He passed away on January 19, 2013, after a long, prolific career that left a clear mark on Egyptian comedy.
• Remembered as a beloved face with a strong stage presence and a sharp instinct for crafting an “ifih,” he influenced generations of socially satirical comedy on stage and screen.