Comedy Icon Samir Ghanem Dies of COVID-19

Late Egyptian comedy icon Samir Ghanem
Late Egyptian comedy icon Samir Ghanem
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Comedy Icon Samir Ghanem Dies of COVID-19

Late Egyptian comedy icon Samir Ghanem
Late Egyptian comedy icon Samir Ghanem

Egyptian comedy icon Samir Ghanem died aged 84 on Thursday after having contracted the COVID-19 disease, Egyptian media reported.

Ghanem had been suffering from organ failure in his kidneys and was transferred to the intensive care unit, while his wife, renowned actress Dalal Abdel Aziz, was transferred to another hospital in Cairo due to an acute health deterioration from coronavirus.

Ghanem began his career in the 1960s as part of a celebrated comedy trio, including George Sidhom and El Deif Ahmed.

The trio starred in a number of hugely successful films, which cemented Ghanem's place as one of the essential figures of Egyptian cinema's golden age. He also helped discover actresses that would go on to be stars, like Athar El-Hakim, whom he had convinced to enter the limelight.

In addition, Ghanem supported several young actors by taking minor roles in their works, and he collaborated with his daughter on several of her works. In 2017, Ghanem was honored at the Cairo Festival, receiving the Faten Hamama Honorary and Excellence Award.

Mourning the loss, Egyptian Minister of Culture Ines Abdel-Dayem, said: "The artistic scene in Egypt and the Arab world has lost one of the geniuses of comedy who painted pages of joy in the history books of theatrical performance."

Abdel-Dayem pointed out that "his distinctive style managed to draw the public in over many years. His work will be remembered fondly for its uniqueness for many years.”

She and many artists expressed condolences to Ghanem's family, friends and loved ones.

Dr. Samia Habib, Head of Higher Institute of Art Criticism Academy, told Asharq Al-Awsat: "Samir Ghanem was a talented performer in all the artistic phases that he went through. He relied heavily on folk art techniques, especially in improvised theater. He was skilled in taking on female characters' roles, taking advantage of his comedic talent to diversify his roles and his ability to improvise.”

“A pioneer in Egyptian comedy, he passed his teachings to the generations that came after him, and many adopted his satirical performance style, which is a testament to his authenticity as an artist."



Olivia Rodrigo, John Cena and Other Celebrities Make Their Way to Wimbledon’s Royal Box

Singer Olivia Rodrigo, left, Olympic gold medalist Tom Daley, center, and wrestler John Cena sit in the Royal Box at Centre Court during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP)
Singer Olivia Rodrigo, left, Olympic gold medalist Tom Daley, center, and wrestler John Cena sit in the Royal Box at Centre Court during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP)
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Olivia Rodrigo, John Cena and Other Celebrities Make Their Way to Wimbledon’s Royal Box

Singer Olivia Rodrigo, left, Olympic gold medalist Tom Daley, center, and wrestler John Cena sit in the Royal Box at Centre Court during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP)
Singer Olivia Rodrigo, left, Olympic gold medalist Tom Daley, center, and wrestler John Cena sit in the Royal Box at Centre Court during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP)

Olivia Rodrigo. John Cena. Dave Grohl. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas. There was as much star power - or maybe even more? - in the Royal Box at Wimbledon as there was down below on the Centre Court grass on Wednesday.

And that was on an afternoon that featured two-time defending men's champion Carlos Alcaraz, No. 1-ranked woman Aryna Sabalenka, and 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu of Britain all winning matches at the grasscourt Grand Slam tournament's main stadium to reach the third round.

"It's so special in the Royal Box to have those kind of people in there. It definitely adds a bit of pressure, I guess, if you look up and you kind of recognize (them)," Raducanu said. "That's why I try and stay with my eyes on the court as much as possible. Only after, you kind of look up and take it all in, if they're still there."

The seats in the Royal Box behind one of the baselines are by invitation only, and there was quite a list of celebrities on hand for Day 3 of competition.

"I was trying not to look today," Sabalenka said about the collection of boldfaced names, explaining that she might be distracted while competing. "I was just trying to focus on my game. Later on, I'm going to open the social media (and ask), 'OK, who was there?'"

Well, Aryna, here's a rundown:

Rodrigo, fresh off headlining at music festival Glastonbury while on tour for her GUTS album, sat next to Cena, the professional wrestler and movie star. Rodrigo chatted at one point with former England soccer coach Roy Hodgson (the current person in that job, Thomas Tuchel, also was in attendance).

Grohl, a member of the rock bands Foo Fighters and Nirvana, made an appearance, too, as did the married couple Chopra and Jonas. Hollywood's Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann, who also are married, were on the Royal Box list, along with actor Dominic Cooper.

Others taking in a day of tennis at the most famous court in the world included British athletes from other sports, such as Olympic gold medalists Sophie Bray (field hockey) and Tom Daley (diving), and Paralympic gold medalist William Ellard (swimming).

Oh, and there was actual British royalty there Wednesday: Princess Michael of Kent.