Adel Emam Height, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Biography

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Bio/Wiki
Full Name	Adel Mohammed Emam Mohammed Bukhariny
Profession(s)	Actor, Social Worker
Physical Stats
Height (approx.)	5' 3" (161 cm)
Eye Colour	Dark Brown
Hair Colour	Black
Career
Debut	Film: 'My Wife, the Director General' (1966)
Awards, Honours	• 1995- Best Actor Award at the Cairo International Film Festival for 'Al-Irhabi' (The Terrorist) (1994) • 1997- Commander of the Order of Intellectual Merit, Morocco • 2002- Knight (Achir) of the National Order of Merit, Algeria • 2003- Officer of the National Order of the Cedar, Lebanon • 2005- Lifetime Achievement Award at the Dubai International Film Festival • 2006- Best Actor Award at the São Paulo International Film Festival for 'Omaret Yakobean' (The Yacoubian Building) (2006) • 2006- Best Actor in a Narrative Feature Award at the Tribeca Film Festival for 'Omaret Yakobean' (The Yacoubian Building) • 2007- Best Actor Award at the Cairo International Film Festival for 'Omaret Yakobean' (The Yacoubian Building) • 2008- Lifetime Achievement Award at the Dubai International Film Festival • 2012- Commander of the Order of Merit, Egypt • 2014- Honorary Award at the Marrakech International Film Festival for 'Alzheimer's' (2014) • 2017- Career Achievement Award at the El Gouna Film Festival • 2024- Arab Art Leader Award at the Joy Awards
Personal Life
Date of Birth	17 May 1940 (Friday)
Age (as of 2025)	85 Years
Birthplace	Mansoura, Egypt
Zodiac sign	Taurus
Nationality	Egyptian
Hometown	Mansoura
School(s)	• Helmiya School, Zeitoun • Benbaqdgan Secondary School • Marqosiya Secondary School, Alexandria
College/University	Cairo University
Educational Qualification	A Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture
Religion	Islam
Hobby	Reading
Controversy	Sentenced to 3 months of jail In 2012, an Egypt court ordered a three-month prison sentence to Adel Emam for insulting Islam in his films and plays. He was also fined $170 (£105) by the court in the capital, Cairo. He was initially found guilty in absentia. The actor was accused of frequently mocking the authorities and politicians in his films and plays, and offending Islam and its symbols. Adel Emam later filed for an appeal for the sentence. In the month of September, Adel won his appeal when a Cairo misdemeanours court cleared him of defaming Islam in his films. ((Ahram Online))
Social Media	• Instagram • Facebook
Relationships & More
Marital Status	Married
Family
Wife/Spouse	Hala El-Shalaqani
Children	Sons- Ramy Emam (Film Director), Mohamed Emam (Actor) Daughter- Sarah Emam
Parents	Father- Mohamed Emam (Shawish in the police force) (Deceased) Mother- (Deceased)
Siblings	Brother- Essam Emam (Film Producer) Sisters- Eman, Mona
Other Relative	Brother-in-Law- Mustafa Metwalli (Actor) (Husband of Eman Emam)

Some Lesser Known Facts About Adel Emam

Adel Emam was born and raised by her parents in a poor farming family. Her family’s ancestry goes back to the Mansoura district of Dakahlia Governorate.

During his childhood, he changed many cities and houses. He moved with his family from the Sayeda Aisha district to the Helmiya district, then to the Omrania district in Giza, then to Mohandiseen, and later to Mansouria.

He was inclined towards acting since his childhood, and he used to showcase his talent in school plays.

Adel Emam had a really close relationship with his mother, and her passing away left a huge impact on Adel’s life. He was quoted as saying in an interview that

I never cried at the time of his death. A month later, I was driving in the downtown area of the capital when I suddenly decided to stop. I then began a long bout of crying after remembering my mother and realising how much I felt losing her. I lost the greatest and most precious love of my life, and there would never be anyone who loved me as my mother loved me.”
His father suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, and he passed away in 1997.

When he was studying at Cairo University, Adel was a classmate of many later-turned Egyptian actors, politicians, and some of them included actor Salah El-Saadany, former Syrian Prime Minister Mahmoud Al-Zoubi, Younes Shalaby, Saeed Saleh, and Salah Al-Saadani.

Adel delved into his artistic career at Cairo University’s theatre, where he worked in theatre and cinema. When he was in the third year of university, he participated in the play titled ‘Ana Wa Howa Wa Heya’ (1963). Adel Emam’s passion for acting led him to join university theatre groups.
Sketch of Adel Emam (bottom right) on the poster of the Egyptian play titled ‘Ana Wa Howa Wa Heya’ (1963)

Before getting married, Adel Emam used to work as an actor who was only cast as an extra or in small roles in films.

Adel and his wife, Hala El-Shalaqani, met each other for the first time in the mid-1960s, and they started dating each other soon after.

Adel was initially not interested in marriage, but his wife, who at that time came from a wealthy, land-owning family with ties to the Liberal Constitutional Party, was determined to marry him despite the challenges that came in their way.

According to him, it was difficult for her wife to marry someone with the status of an actor in minor roles.

Adel Emam once stated in one of his interviews that his marriage to his wife, Hala El-Shalaqani, took place without the approval of his wife’s family, as they had rejected the idea of their marriage due to his status as a film extra.

He explained in an interview that he and her wife decided not to have a wedding ceremony in order to save money for more important things.

Adel and his wife gradually built their life together by starting with a chair, then a refrigerator, and eventually a stove, and that is how they established their home.

Being a graduate from the Faculty of Agriculture, Adel Emma has an interest towards planting and taking care of plants at his home or his farm.

In 1968, Adel was cast in the Egyptian romantic comedy film titled ‘My Wife’s Goblin’ in which he played the character of Shafai.

In the 1960s, he was part of the younger generation of actors who emerged during the 1960s, which was a time of social and political change in Egypt.

Apart from the simple roles that he did, Adel’s screen presence and his ability to perform both comedic and dramatic roles made his mark among comedy actors, too. He caught the attention of the Egyptian satirical writer and journalist, Mahmud Sadani, who praised him in his book titled ‘The Comedians’ in 1969, and was quoted as saying that

If Adel Imam realized how talented and in demand he is, he would have saved himself from the trap set for him. Even if he remained stagnant in supporting roles, it would not diminish his talent, nor undermine his stature as a brilliant, talented, and great artist.”
In 1973, Adel Emam was cast in the Egyptian comedy play titled ‘Madraset El Moshaghbeen,’ which was written by Ali Salem. The play was a loose retelling of the 1959 autobiographical novel by E. R. Braithwaite titled ‘To Sir, With Love.’ Adel played the character of Bahgat El Abasery in the play.
Adel Emam (right) in a still from the Egyptian comedy play titled ‘Madraset El Moshaghbeen’ (1973)

Adel’s performance in the ‘Madraset El Moshaghbeen’ play made him one of the leading Egyptian comedic actors of the time. His mischievous and humorous character resonated with audiences and became one of his most iconic roles.

In 1976, he played the character of Sarhan Abdel-Baseer in the Egyptian comedy play titled ‘Shahed Ma Shafsh Haga.’
Adel Emam on the poster of the Egyptian comedy play titled ‘Shahed Ma Shafsh Haga’ (1976)

The early 1980s marked a shift in Adel Emam’s acting career from comedy to action and crime.

In the 1980s, Adel Emam was one of the highest-paid actors, and his films received the highest box office earnings during that period.

In 1984, Adel was cast in the Egyptian comedy play titled ‘Al-Wad Sayed Al-Shaghal,’ which consisted of a total of eight scenes. The play was written by Sayyed Hegab and Samir Abdelazim, and Adel played the character of Sayed Kawawi in the play.
Adel Emam (left) in a still from the Egyptian comedy play titled ‘Al-Wad Sayed Al-Shaghal’ (1984)

The play ‘Al-Wad Sayed Al-Shaghal’ was first performed on 20 June 1985 and continued its run for 8 years until 1993. Many critics and media houses claimed it as one of the best Arabic plays.

The 1990s marked the most successful decade of Adel Emam’s acting career, and also made him the highest-paid actor and the number one star in Arab cinema.

After playing the character of the President of the Republic and his lookalike, Zeinhom, in the Egyptian political satirical play titled ‘Al-Zaeem’ (1993), Adel Emam got the title of Al-Zaeem (‘The Leader’) as his performance in the play was loved worldwide.

The former Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi made several attempts to assassinate Adel Imam, as Adel Imam imitated Gaddafi in a sarcastic way in the first scene of the play ‘Al-Zaeem.’

After his role in the Egyptian film titled ‘A-Erhabi’ in 1994, Adel Emam faced an assassination attempt. The attacker was accused of being Mohamed Krum, who was a member of an Islamic terrorist group. The attacker pointed out that the film provoked all Islamic groups. Mohamed Krum was quoted as saying in an interview that

I was assigned to kill Adel Emam by the leader, Aboud El Zomor. Islamic Jihad also planned to get rid of Adel Emam through the group that struck Dr. Atef Sedki.”

In the early 2000s, Adel Emam was an important national figure in Egypt, mainly because of the Egyptian political roles he undertook in many of his films and plays. He always emphasised Egypt’s politics and religious problems in all his films.

In 2000, in recognition of his humanitarian contributions, Adel Emam was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and he has been a dedicated advocate for refugees throughout his time working with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
Adel Emam (wearing black sunglasses) after getting appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2000

After being appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for UNHRC, his role allowed him to support the rights and needs of refugees and displaced individuals. Adel participated in various campaigns and events to raise awareness about the plight of refugees.

After being appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador, Adel Emam was quoted as saying in an interview that

In many of my films I fight against discrimination and raise awareness about poverty and social problems – issues that need to be addressed but which are often not discussed easily. Now with UNHCR I have an opportunity to make a positive contribution to humanity, to reach out and help people who are desperate and in need.”

On the occasion of Adel Emam’s 88th birthday, his 2010 Egyptian comedy film titled ‘Alzheimer’ was re-released in cinemas across Egypt and Arab countries from 16 May to 18 May, 2024. The film was part of a strategy to honour all the prominent artistic figures in the Arab world.
Adel Emam on the poster of the Egyptian comedy film titled ‘Alzheimer’ (2010)

During his career, Adel Emam influenced societal and humanitarian efforts beyond his career in the arts.

He chooses not to have bodyguards with him.

Adel Emam became the target of death threats due to his portrayal of radical Islamists in some of his films in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

In 2023, a documentary film titled ‘Adel Emam… Egyptian Memory’ was produced by Al Arabiya and Shahid, which portrayed the artistic career and political impact of Adel Emam. It also features rare archival footage and interviews with notable guests, including former ministers, politicians, and film industry professionals.
The poster of the Egyptian documentary film titled ‘Adel Emam…Egyptian Memory’ (2023), which is based on Adel Emam’s life

Adel Emam has also been an advocate for political and social progress in Egypt.

He has been very outspoken and an avid supporter of democratic principles and freedom of expression during periods of political disturbances in Egypt. He has also been active in charitable work, mainly in healthcare and education.

Adel Emam has contributed a lot to funding hospitals and educational initiatives, and has aimed at improving the quality of life for marginalised communities, which suffer from a major level of inequality and discrimination in the country.

Adel chooses never to publicise his donations and social work and only aims to keep it all private from the spotlight and media.

In January 2024, Adel’s son, Rami Emam, made an official statement announcing that his father, Adel Emam, has officially retired from all artistic endeavours to dedicate his time to family life. Adel retired from acting after a 60-year-long career.

Adel’s political influence extended to his cinematic work, and he explored pressing local and regional issues in all his films. His films have addressed many topics such as terrorism, sectarian violence, and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

In 2025, Adel Emam was ranked 6th on the Forbes Middle East’s Top 100 Arab Celebrities list.

Adel Emam has been part of many Egyptian films, and some of them include ‘Ihna Bitua’ al-Autobis’ (1979), ‘Al-Erhabi’ (1994), ‘Risala Ela Al-Wali’ (1998), ‘El-Sefara fi El-Omara’ (2005), ‘Hassan w Morqos’ (2008), and ‘Zahaimar’ (2010).
Adel Emam in a still from the Egyptian political drama film titled ‘Al-Erhabi’ (1994)

Adel Emam has been part of many Egyptian TV series, and some of them include ‘Firqit Naji Atallah’ (2012), ‘Saheb El Saada’ (2014), ‘Ostaz wa Rayees Kesm’ (2015), ‘Afareet Adly Alam’ (2017), ‘Awalem Khafyah’ (2018), and ‘Valentino’ (2020).
Adel Emam (right) in a still from the Egyptian comedy drama TV series titled ‘Valentino’ (2020)

Kanica

I’m a passionate content writer with a flair for storytelling and a strong command of language. With experience in writing across various niches, from lifestyle and entertainment to professional biographies and brand narratives. I create engaging, well-researched content that connects with readers. My writing style balances clarity with creativity, and I enjoy crafting pieces that inform, inspire, and leave an impact.