MovieWise

Unfiltered reviews. Cinematic depth.

Mode
Ismail Yasseen Biography and Full Filmography - MovieWise

Quick Facts

Born:
1912-09-15

Birthplace:
Suez, Egypt

Credits:
172 Total Roles

Ismail Yasseen

Acting

The MovieWise Take

Refining cinematic analysis...

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

Full Filmography

Year Title Role
1972 Desire and Loss MOVIE إسماعيل
1970 Women's Gang MOVIE Sadeq
1969 Gang of Women MOVIE Self
1967 كرم الهوى MOVIE Self
1965 Mind and money MOVIE قمر الدين
1964 Kol El Regala Keda MOVIE عباس الافلاطوني - البقال
1964 The Rooster MOVIE Self
1963 El Maganeen Fi Naeem MOVIE Andeel
1962 Alforsan Althalatha MOVIE Taher Abu Huda
1962 The King of Petrol MOVIE Hassouna

Cinema in your inbox.

Weekly deep-dives and cinematic perspectives delivered to you.

By joining, you agree to our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.