Actor Kamal el-Shenawy, an icon of Egyptian Cinema, died at dawn today after a career of taking part in some of the greatest films in Egyptian cinema. Shenawy succumbed at the age of 90 to a long struggle with illness. He was born on December 26, 1921 in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura. Shenawy worked as an artist until he made his film debut in Director Niazi Mostafa's 1947 film "Ghona Harb" (Songs of War). Over his 62-year career, he acted in more than 200 film and television productions. Shenawy also directed one film, "Tanabelt el Sultan" (The Sultan's Jesters), in 1965. His roles and films were extremely diverse. He worked with many icons of Egyptian cinema, including comedian Ismail Yassin, and starred in musicals with singers Sabah, Shadia and Leila Murad, with whom he starred in "Men Qalb le Qalb" (Heart to Heart). When a group of critics compiled a list of the hundred greatest Egyptian films in 1996, five of Shenawy's films were included: "Amir el-Entekam" (Prince of Revenge), "al-Les w el-Kelab" (The Thief and the Dogs), "El-Mostahel" (Impossible) "El-Ragel al-adhi Fakad Zelehao" (The Man Who Lost his Shadow) and “Karnak.” Shenawy also starred in many television series, the last of which was “Akher el Meshwar” (The End of the Journey). His last film was "El Wad Mahrous betaa el Wazeer" (Mahrous the Minister's Boy) in 1999 with actor Adel Imam. Funeral prayers will be held today in Mustafa Mahmoud mosque in Mohandiseen.
