Hesham Selim

Hesham Saleh Selim January 27 1958 September 22 2022 was an Egyptian film and television actor He graduated from the High Institute of Tourism and Hotels in Cairo and later studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London Hesham was the son of Saleh Selim an Egyptian football legend and former president of Al Ahly Sporting Club His sisterinlaw was the iconic actress and singer Yousra He began his acting career at the age of 12 playing one of Faten Hamamas children in Empire M 1972 Four years later he played a lead role in Youssef Chahines Return of the Prodigal Son 1976 which embedded in him a passion for acting for the rest of his life Selim acted in many TV shows among them El Helmeya Nights 19871995 Arabesque 1994 and The White Flag 1988 He has appeared in many known films such as Alexandria Again and Forever 1989 The Puppeteer 1989 and Land of Dreams 1993 In the wake of the 2011 Egyptian revolution Selim became the host of the talk show Hiwar Al Qahira Cairo Dialogue a weekly program featuring live discussions with guests on political social and economic issues on Sky News Arabia in 2012 On May 5 2020 he spoke on television about having a transgender son in a rare public show of support for LGBT rights in Egypt This segment and Selims acceptance of his son Nour in a country where gender issues remain taboo have won praise on social media with many applauding Selim for his position and his decision to speak about it on Egyptian television Hesham Selim passed away at 64 after a long battle with lung cancer He is survived by two daughters and a son