About the Artist

• Name: Yehia Shahin
• Date of Birth: 28 September 1917 — Imbaba, Giza, Egypt
• Date of Death: 18 March 1994 — Cairo, Egypt
• Occupation: Actor and film producer
• Years Active: Late 1930s to early 1990s

Early Life and Beginnings

• Raised in Imbaba (Giza Governorate), he discovered a passion for acting in school theatre, then moved into professional stage work before transitioning to film.
• He made his screen debut in the late 1930s. His composed features and measured, assured delivery quickly brought him leading roles.

Career Highlights

• A pillar of classic Egyptian cinema, his roles spanned romance, drama, and social realism. He became especially renowned for portraying the stern “Eastern” patriarch and the commanding father figure.
• His name is closely linked to the character al-Sayyid Ahmad 'Abd al-Jawad, which earned him the enduring nickname “Si al-Sayyid.” In Egyptian colloquial usage, “Si al-Sayyid” conveys a domineering, authoritative patriarch—iconically associated with Naguib Mahfouz’s Cairo Trilogy.
• In addition to acting, he also worked as a film producer at various points in his career.

Key Works

• Bayn al-Qasrayn (Palace Walk), 1964
• Qasr al-Shawq (Palace of Desire), 1966
• al-Sukkariyya (Sugar Street), 1973
• al-Ikhwa al-A'da' (Brothers, Enemies)

Facts & Trivia

• His portrayal of “Si al-Sayyid” is a milestone in Egyptian film history, cementing his image as one of his generation’s foremost interpreters of weighty dramatic roles.
• He was known for a restrained acting style and clear, authoritative diction—qualities that made him a go-to choice for complex characters with strong paternal authority.