Biography for
Adel Imam More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

17 May 1940, Cairo, Egypt

Birth Name

Adel Mohammed Imam Najarini

Nickname

El Zaeem (The Leader)

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Mini Biography

He is a graduate of the faculty of agriculture. He was more popular in theatres for his role in Madrasat Al Moshaghebin (School of Rascals). He became more famous in the 1970s for his comedic roles in Searching for a Scandal (1973) (Search for a scandal) and Khalli Balek min Aalak (Take care of your brain). He started to play far more serious roles in the 1980s. He is now one of the highest paid actors in Egypt.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Ali Nasser

Spouse

Hala Al Shalaqani

(19?? - present) 3 children

Trade Mark

His movies are aimed at Muslim extremists and exposes them

Frequently acts with Youssra

Slapstick humor

Trivia

Father of director Rami Imam.

Has two sons Rami and Mohamed, and one daughter Sara.

He and actress Angelina Jolie are goodwill ambassadors for the U.N, High Commissioner for Refugees.

His brother-in-law is the late actor Mustafa Metwalli.

He refuses to be accompanied by bodyguards.

In his play "Al-Zaeem" or the leader, he criticises the relationship between rulers and their peoples.

He majored in agricultural engineering.

Brother of Esam Imam.

Acted with late actor Samir Waley El Din in one of his plays, "Shahid ma Shafesh Haga," in the 1970s, and later in 1991 until 1998 with his son, the late comedian Alaa Waley El Din.

Father of Mohamed Imam.

Good friends with Sa'eed Saleh and Younes Shalaby.

Received death threats over his portrayal of radical Islamists.

His father was an employee at a factory.

Personal Quotes

I am not a superstar, or a leader of any kind. There are no leaders in art. All I want is to use my talents to make people's lives better, if only in a small way.

Being an actor is something different and fascinating.

Where Are They Now

(February 2012) Was sentenced to three months in prison and paying a fine worth 1,000 Egyptian Pounds for insulting Islam in his movies and plays. Imam has a month to appeal the decision.

(April 2012) An Egyptian court sentenced him to three months in prison and a $170 fine for insulting Islam in roles he has played. He has the right to appeal. He was granted a retrial since he was originally tried in absentia.