Ismail Yasseen

    Known For

    Acting

    Birthday

    September 15, 1912

    Day of Death

    May 24, 1972 (59 years old)

    Place of Birth

    Suez, Egypt

    Ismail Yasseen

    Biography

    Ismail Yasin Ali Nakhla was born in Suez (15 September, 1912) where he led a miserable unstable childhood, and had to leave primary school when his mother died and his father went to prison. His first job was a chanting salesman assistant in front of a shop. In so doing, he trained his voice and decided to become a singer, as he was very fond of the legendary musician Mohamed Abdel Wahab. He sang in weddings and cafés and then moved to Cairo to join the Badee’a Massabny acting troupe. Hence, filmmakers recognized him. It was Fouad al-Gazayerly who gave him his first role in “Khalaf el Habayeb" (Lover’s offspring) in (1939). Ismail joined Aly al-Kassaar troupe and became a brilliant monologist. When he rose to fame, he was one of the few actors who had a series of films bearing his name: "Ismail Yasin fel-Police" (Ismail Yasin..Policeman), "Ismail Yasin fel-geish" (Ismail Yasin..In the army), “Ismail Yasin fel-tayaraan" (Ismail Yasin.. In the Airforce), ...etc. In the 1950’s, he formed a troupe with Abul –So’oud al-Ebiaary. Among his famous plays are; “Habeeby Koukou" (My darling Koukou), "Al-mofattesh al-aam" (The Inspector General)”, among others. When film industry underwent a downfall in the the late sixties of last century, he left to Lebanon where had to play small roles, something that he did also upon his return to Egypt before dying of a heart attack. Ismail Yasin is considered a very special and unique case among Arab comedians. He was famous for mocking himself and his looks in his films. Although considered a farcical clown by a number of critics and audience, the admiration of his performance throughout generations of Egyptians and Arabs maintains his phenomenal status to this day. He died in May 1972. His son Yassin was a film and television director (1949 – 2008).

    Known For

    • Ibn Hamidu

      Ibn Hamidu

      1957

    • Afrita Hanem: The Genie Lady

      Afrita Hanem: The Genie Lady

      1949

    • Women Can’t Lie

      Women Can’t Lie

      1954

    • The Secret Police

      The Secret Police

      1959

    • Ismail Yassine in the House of Ghosts

      Ismail Yassine in the House of Ghosts

      1951

    • Have Mercy

      Have Mercy

      1953

    • The Magical Lantern

      The Magical Lantern

      1960

    • Miss Hanafi

      Miss Hanafi

      1954

    • Gold

      Gold

      1953

    • Ismail Yassine in the Mental Hospital

      Ismail Yassine in the Mental Hospital

      1958

    • Ismail Yassine In NAVY

      Ismail Yassine In NAVY

      1957

    • The General Inspector

      The General Inspector

      1956

    • The Last Lie

      The Last Lie

      1950

    • Shahr Asal Basal

      Shahr Asal Basal

      1960

    • Ladies Barber

      Ladies Barber

      1960