Youssef Dawood — Brief Biography

• Name: Youssef Dawood
• Profession: Egyptian actor
• Date of birth: 10 March 1933
• Place of birth: Alexandria, Egypt
• Date of death: 24 June 2012

Education and Early Career

• Graduate of the Electrical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering — Alexandria University.
• Worked as an engineer for several years before dedicating himself full-time to the arts.

Entry into the Industry and Career

• Began acting as a hobby on amateur stages in Alexandria, then transitioned to professional work.
• Became a familiar presence in film, television, and theater from the 1970s and 1980s onward, known for a resonant voice and commanding screen presence. He was frequently cast as a strict official, manager, or officer—often within a satirical, comedic frame.
• Delivered dozens of performances across comedy and drama, leaving a mark with a distinctive brand of deadpan humor rooted in the exaggerated seriousness of his characters.
• Collaborated many times with Adel Imam (a leading Egyptian comedian and box-office star) in both films and stage productions.

Notable Works

• Batal min Waraq (A Paper Hero)
• al-Shaytanah allati Ahabatni (The She‑Devil Who Loved Me)
• Karakon fi al-Shari' (literally “A Booth in the Street,” about a makeshift home)
• Asal Eswed (Black Honey)
• Hassan wa Morcos (Hassan and Morcos)
• Stage: al-Za'im (The Leader) — a famous political satire play
• Stage: al-Wad Sayed al-Shaghal — a classic stage comedy; the title loosely means “Sayed the Servant”

Artistic Traits

• A distinctive vocal timbre and stern demeanor, often used to create sharp comic contrast.
• Mastery of impactful supporting roles that influence the plot—especially grim-faced bureaucrats and administrative officials.