Lebanese actress Rene Deek passed away at the age of 75 after a long struggle with illness. Considered one of the pillars of the Lebanese theater, the artist started her acting career on stage in 1963.
Renee suffered from poor living conditions and loneliness during the later stages of her life. She spent her last days in one of the monasteries’ old homes in the town of Kafr Marshoun.
In an interview with a local TV channel, she regretted what her living conditions had come to after 50 years of being in show business.
She said: “Today, I am without work, I have health issues in my nerves, and I do not have someone to support me financially nor a source of income to make a living.”
She implored people who have the financial means to support her after criticizing the state for not supporting Lebanese artists and providing them with a decent life even after decades of work.
The head of the Lebanese Actors Syndicate Nehme Badawi has mourned the death of Renee Deek on his Facebook account.
He wrote: “Renee Deek has passed away. We, as the Syndicate of Actors, mourn today one of the pillars in the Lebanese and Arab theater. May God have mercy on her soul”
Badawi confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the syndicate had supported the actress financially when her health condition started deteriorating and ensured that she received treatment in the hospital.
He added: “We were by her side when she was suffering, and we took her to Al-Maounat Hospital in Jbeil, accompanied by her brother, where she passed away."
He also stressed that all unions showed their support to the late actress, as well as the Syndicate Mutual Fund.
"she underwent surgery last year, but her condition deteriorated and worsened with time, however, we have been on her side from day one since her situation started worsening.”
Renee Deek started her acting career at age 18 when she joined the “School of Modern Theater”, and went on to star in several plays that were performed at the Baalbek festivals.
