Egyptian comedian Fouad El-Mohandes was born on 6 September 1924 and began acting in his school years, taking part in school plays and then in university theatre while a student at the Faculty of Commerce, Cairo University. The first significant step in the acting career was when, in 1953, he joined the radio programme Saa Li-Qalbak (An Hour for Your Heart) and in 1955, he co-founded a theatre troupe with the same name. The troupe gave several well-known performances, such as Kan Min Al-Awal (It Was About Time). El-Mohandes then embarked on a career in a television theatre, with roles in plays such as Ana Wa Huwa Wa Hiyya (I, He and She, 1962) and Al-Sekerteir Al-Fanni (The Technical Secretary, 1963) bringing him to the attention of a large and appreciative audience. Fouad El-Mohandes (Photo: Al Ahram) Later in the 1960s, he acted in Ana Wa Huwa Wa Sumuwwuh (I, He and his Highness, 1966) and Sayyidati Al-Gamila (an Egyptian adaptation of My Fair Lady, 1968) staged by the United Artists' Troupe which he cofounded. El-Mohandes formed a famed comedy duo with his wife Shweikar and they were especially known for acting in the Egyptian Comedy Troupe. The plays staged by the troupe include Hello, Dolly (1971), Leih, Leih (Why, Oh Why?; 1976) and Innaha Haqan Aaila Muhtarama (It's Quite a Respectable Family; 1978), among others. El-Mohandes' film career thrived in parallel, and he acted in dozens of movies, often opposite Shweikar. Among his famous appearances are in films such as Ghaltat Umr (The Mistake of a Lifetime, 1953), Bint Al-Geiran (The Neighbours' Daughter, 1954), Shanabou Fil- Masyada (Shanabou in the Trap), Inta Illi Qatalt Babaya (It Was You Who Killed My Father) and Mutarada Gharamiyya (Amorous Chase). His roles in the soap operas include Uyun (Eyes), Azwag Lakin Ghurba (Married but Estranged) and El-Zair El-Maghoul (The Unknown Visitor) and several unforgettable Ramadan programmes. Fouad El-Mohandes [L] in the film 'A'ilat Zizi (Zizi's Family) - (Photo: Al Ahram) Not only was El-Mohandes one of the most famous Egyptian actors and comedians, he was also praised for his impeccable diction, which is believed he owed to his father, Egyptian linguist and scholar Zaki Mohandes, a university dean. El-Mohandes garnered numerous local awards including the State Merit Award, which was offered to him in 2005. Most recently, on 6 September, Google marked what would have been the 92nd birthday of the late actor with a Google Doodle featuring the star. El-Mohandes passed away on 16 September 2006. Following his death, in 2006, Al-Ahram Weekly published an obituary which concludes that: "Alongside this substantial, multi-faceted artistic legacy, El-Mohandes will be remembered for his sense of decorum and for a devotion to comedy that never descended into cheap farce, while his faith in team spirit and the support he extended to younger comedians, such as Adel Imam, served to underline his generosity as a performer." Fouad El-Mohandes in the film Khalli Balak Min Geiranak [L] (Watch Out for Your Neighbours) and in the film Akhtar Ragul Fil-'Alam [R] (The Most Dangerous Man in the World) -- (Photo: Al Ahram) Fouad El-Mohandes and Shweikar (Photo: Al Ahram) Fouad El-Mohandes in the film Shanabou Fil-Masyada (Shanabou in the Trap) Fouad El-Mohandes in the play Sukk 'Ala Banatak (Keep Your Daughters Locked In) Fouad El-Mohandes and Egypt's iconic singer Umm Kalthoum (Photo: Al Ahram) Fouad El-Mohandes and actress Sherihan (Photo: Al Ahram) Fouad El-Mohandes (Photo: Al Ahram) On 6 September 2016, Google Doodle celebrated late Egyptian comedian Fouad El-Mohandes on what would have been his 92nd birthday. The Fouad El-Mohandes Google Doodle was regional, viewed in North Africa and the Middle East.
For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture
