Egyptian Theater Icon Abdul Jawad Metwally Passes Away at 87

Abdul Jawad Metwally, a prominent figure in Egyptian arts, passed away on Sunday at the age of 87 after a prolonged battle with chronic illnesses, including diabetes and hypertension, which had kept him away from the public eye for several years.

A family source confirmed that Metwally spent his final days surrounded by loved ones who cared for him, and he had been hospitalized multiple times before his passing.

Born in 1939, Metwally developed a passion for the arts early in life, although he initially pursued various jobs before seizing the opportunity to appear on screen.

His career left an indelible mark on television, cinema, and theater, contributing to memorable productions such as:

• TV Series: "Saber, My Uncle Saber" (1984), "The Tower of the Great" (1987), "Market of Time" (2001), and "Aunt Nour" (2003) featuring Nabila Obeid.

• Films: "Ashmawi" (1987), "A Half Dozen of Madmen" (1991), where he portrayed Dr. Izzat, the hospital director, "A Woman Who Will Fall" (1992), and "The Empress" (1999).

He gained widespread recognition for his final series, "Hamdallah Ala Al-Salamah" (2007), which tells the story of a train conductor from Assiut who reaches retirement age and leads the railway workers' union amidst family challenges. The series featured a star-studded cast including:

Hassan Hosny, Hala Fakher, Abdul Aziz Makhioun, Sabri Fawaz, Tarek Lotfy, and Shawky El-Shamikh, written by Mona Shabait and directed by Mohamed Abdel Aziz.

Metwally's artistic legacy blends comedy and drama, significantly shaping Egyptian art over the decades and ensuring his name remains etched in the memories of audiences.