Mahmoud el-Meligi is one of the greatest actors in the history of Arab film-making. He was known as "Marlon Brando of the Middle East." An inspiration to young would-be actors, he was always cast as the villain. Only in Youssef Chahine's films did he play the good guy, and did it well.

Meligi started his acting career on stage after he graduated. His last roles before his death was "Entaha el dars ya ghaby" and "El harafeesh".

Meligi took part in made-for-TV movies. He also wrote scripts. His first collaboration with Youssef Chahine was in 1951, in the film Ebn El Neel and ended with Hadota Masrya. Chahine described him as the best actor of his time.

Meligi has an enthralling career of great films, and is considered a huge influence on actors of the younger generation.

Filmography
Iskanderiya... lih?
Awdat al ibn al dal
Asfour, al-
Ikhtiyar, al-
Ard, al-
Naser Salah el Dine, El
Jamilah
Ibn el Nil
Manzel Raqam 13, El
Rasif Nemrah 5
Fatewa, El
Allah Ma'na

Meligi received the State Incentive Award for Acting in 1972 and was appointed member of the Shura Council in 1980.