Veteran Egyptian actor and director Hassan Youssef passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 90, leaving behind a lasting legacy of iconic films and beloved TV dramas.
The news of his passing was shared by his brother Mohamed Youssef via his Facebook account, without disclosing details about his death or funeral arrangements nor mourning. Youssef made an indelible mark on Egyptian cinema from the 1960s through the 1980s, becoming a cherished figure in the industry.
Born on April 14, 1934, Hassan Youssef was affectionately known as “The Mischievous Boy” by audiences and critics alike. Hassan Youssef first married actress Lebleba in 1964, a marriage that lasted eight years before they separated in 1972.
Later in the same year, he married Shams Al Baroudi, with whom he remained until his passing. Youssef contributed significantly to Egyptian cinema in the 1960s and 1970s, starring in numerous classics such as I Am Free, There’s a Man in Our House, Sins, The Open Door, Fun Beach, The Circus, and Mother of the Bride.
Soad Hosny co-starred with Hassan Youssef in several films, forming a successful on-screen duo in hits like The Three Love Her, Marriage the Modern Way, and For Men Only. In the 1970s, Youssef also ventured into directing, creating several films—many of which featured his wife, Shams Al Baroudi, in leading roles.
Some of Youssef’s works, like The Coward and Love, faced objections from artistic censorship. Beyond film, he also appeared in numerous television and stage productions, including Pardis, Zainab and the Throne, and Zahra and Her Five Husbands. However, his role in the television series Layali El Helmiya remains the most iconic of his career on the small screen.
The late veteran actor also portrayed prominent religious figures in series like Imam Al Maraghi and Imam Al Nasa’i. His most acclaimed and memorable role, however, was his biographical portrayal of Imam Mohammad Metwally Al Shaarawi in the TV series Imam of Preachers.
In January 2024, he announced his retirement from acting following the drowning death of his son Abdullah in 2023.
