In the bustling world of entertainment, few journeys are as winding and unpredictable as that of Ali Eltayeb. With a career spanning over more than a decade, Eltayeb has portrayed a variety of characters, each with depth and authenticity. From his compelling portrayal of Osama in Photocopy (2017) to his heartfelt role as Wadih Al-Bosati in Aho Da Elly Saar (And So It Happened 2019), Ali’s talent shines through in every project. His standout performance in Khali Balek Men Zizi (Take Care of Zizi 2021) further cemented his status as a rising star. With each role, Eltayeb dedication to his craft and ability to adapt to various genres ensure that he remains a captivating presence on screen, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating his next move. eniGma’s Reham Adel had the chance to sit down with the talented actor to discuss his journey, challenges, motivations, and the lessons he learned along the way.
Starting as an unexpected stand-up comedian, Eltayeb navigated the challenging waters of comedy, acting, and personal growth. He began his career in an unconventional manner. “I didn’t know what stand-up comedy meant at first,” he reflects. “I thought I was just trying to find a way into acting.”
It was a chance encounter when he was applying for a friend in a talent contest, that set the stage for his stand-up comedy journey. “I attended a competition on MBC called Star Search—the first-time stand-up comedy was even considered in that realm. Back then, not many understood what stand-up was. I just thought, ‘Why not give it a try?’” With no formal training, Eltayeb dove headfirst into the world of comedy. “I was the last to perform, and I really had no idea what I was doing. But they made me watch legends like Eddie Murphy and Jim Carrey to understand the concept.”
During the early 20s, Stand-up comedy was largely misunderstood, “It was a challenge to get audiences in the Arab world to understand and appreciate stand-up.” This commitment to thoughtful comedy led Eltayeb to great success, including winning Star Search. “Winning felt like a sign from God, guiding me towards my true passion even though I was on my way to be a professional football player. It was a pivotal moment.”
After winning the contest, he embarked on a mission to redefine stand-up comedy in Egypt. Recognising its potential, he organised small competitions at El Sawy Culture Wheel which led to the rise of a new generation of comedians, including Taha Desouky and Mohammed Helmy.
As stand-up comedy flourished, he found himself at a crossroads. It was an ideal moment to return to the stage, but he chose to pursue acting roles instead. Despite his success in acting, he holds a deep connection to his roots in stand-up. “I promise to return one day. My comedian friends often encourage me to come back,” he said. When that time comes, he envisions a fresh approach: “If I’m coming back, I want to do something different with new material.”
Since inspiration is the fuel of his craft, he relies on different sources for it. “Inspiration can come from many places, especially in acting,” he begins, his eyes lighting up. “There are countless actors whose work resonates with me. When I was a football player my coach once said, ‘The talented love the talented.’ I carry that belief into acting.” He further explains “I’m drawn to the work of actors I admire and look forward to collaborating with them to learn and grow.”
As he shares his journey, the conversation shifts to everyday moments that spark creativity. “I find deeper inspiration in ordinary people. Those who carry untold struggles, visible in their expressions— that authenticity truly moves me.” When it comes to personal influences, Eltayeb points to his father, whose wisdom instilled the values of patience and perseverance. “My father taught me that life is about enduring hardships and remaining grounded,” he reflects, his voice softening. “It’s a lesson I carry with me every day.”
But a career like Eltayeb’s is filled with challenges, in a moment that felt both intimate and heavy, Eltayeb opened up about a profoundly emotional experience he had on the set of Aho Da Elly Saar. As he shared his story, the weight of his words hung in the air, drawing us into a memory that resonated with the rawness of human emotion.
It was a typical day on set when the atmosphere shifted dramatically. A foreign camera director who was working on set received the heartbreaking news that his father had passed away. “We were all deeply affected,” he recalled, his voice trembling. “You could feel the tension, the sorrow. We wanted him to know that if he needed to leave, we would stop everything.”
As they filmed, Eltayeb felt a profound connection to the director’s struggle. His own father was gravely ill, and the fear of loss loomed over him like a dark cloud. “I was terrified that I wouldn’t be with my father if something happened,” he confessed, the weight of his worry intense. “Watching him hold himself together was both inspiring and heartbreaking. I respected him deeply.”
The crew, from the youngest members to the late director Hatem Ali, surrounded the grieving man with compassion. “Each take was performed with a shared understanding and everyone was so focused; we didn’t want to exhaust him,” Eltayeb recalled.
After wrapping up for the day, Eltayeb’s thoughts were still on that director, that he felt the need to visit his father. “I couldn’t shake the fear,” he said, his voice breaking. But his fear turned to reality one day as tragically he was met with the shattering news that his father had passed. “I buried him without the chance to say goodbye,” he whispered, tears spilling down his cheeks.
As he sat in the silence of that moment, memories flooded back. Just two days prior, he had shared lunch with his father—a precious time filled with laughter and unspoken sentiments. “He told me things he had never shared before,” Eltayeb said, the sorrow etched on his face. “I didn’t realise then that he was saying goodbye.”
The haunting refrain of Ahmed Mekky’s song Meya Meya Kanet Hatefre’ Fel Wadaa (Would Have Made a Difference in Saying Goodbye) echoed in his mind, a painful reminder of the moments lost. “If I had known those were the last 48 hours of his life,” he said, “I would have cherished them so differently, one doesn’t realise things until he loses a loved one.”
Eltayeb has an emotional depth which is often reflected in his choice of roles, he shared insightful thoughts on the criteria he prioritises when selecting a character to portray, “I don’t like a character with a flat line. I prefer roles where there’s clear development. For instance, If I’m playing a bad person, I want there to be depth—either a reason for their actions, a path to redemption, or punishment for their misdeeds. Pure evil, without explanation, feels unjustified to me.”
Complex characters don’t come without challenges. sharing his experience in the series Aho Da Elly Saar as Wadia El-Bosati, he remarked, “That character was particularly challenging. I gained 15kg to make my portrayal authentic, and it required a lot of effort and attention to detail. I was walking a fine line—people could either love or hate it.” What also made the character difficult to play was that it has no real-life reference, “I was fortunate to have the support of my talented co-stars like Dawood, Farrag, Arwa, Sawsan Badr, Ruby, and Bezzawy, along with the guidance of our director.”
Eltayeb approaches the successes he has achieved throughout his career with humbleness. “Every step in my life feels like an achievement.” Coming from a simple upbringing, he faced numerous challenges but managed to rise through “hard work and the prayers of my loved ones. His ambitions go beyond personal success. “I want my daughters to feel happy and proud of what I’ve accomplished,” he explained. For him, every achievement is not just a milestone but a step toward securing their future and demonstrating the power of dedication and love.
As Eltayeb contemplated a life outside of his current path, sharing the struggles he faced in the early days of his career. “To support my acting, I worked in business for a long time. When I started, the pay was very low, sometimes even nonexistent for certain roles. I knew I had to be patient, to keep working towards my goals.”
With a hint of pride, he recounted his ventures in the clothing industry. “I was trading clothes, traveling, and bringing brands to Egypt. I was one of the first to introduce various brands.” His memories of the fashion world flowed easily. “One of the first shops I opened was called Fishbone in Zamalek. It was a German brand that nobody knew about back then.” He smiled, recalling the creativity that fueled those days.
Reverting to acting, Eltayeb pondered the age-old debate of which is harder—drama or comedy— his eyes reflecting a mix of passion and insight. “You can find difficulty in both,” he began, his voice steady. “It’s not easy to make someone laugh, and it’s equally challenging to reach the emotions of the audience and make them feel what you’re feeling.” He paused, acknowledging the unique skills required for each. “But I think the most difficult is when you have to do both.”
Delving into his role in the TV series Maliha, which tackles the story of Palestine, a sense of purpose radiated from him. “If you can participate in an art project that addresses Palestine, it makes the story more heard and seen.” He leaned forward, his passion evident. “If we leave it only to one source of news from the other side, we have to counter that narrative. It’s crucial to spread awareness about the truth, to teach future generations what really happened, rather than the distorted news that often circulates.”
He reflected on the impact of such roles. “Any actor given the chance to participate in a work about the Palestinian cause would seize it without hesitation. That’s exactly what happened with me and Maliha. I had actually decided not to participate in the last Ramadan season because I wanted to take a break. But when I received the script, I didn’t even finish reading it before I agreed to the role.” He said with excitement. “I felt that this was the least I could do for them—to ensure that the next generation knows the whole history and the truth.” In that moment, it was clear that for him, acting was not just a profession; it was a powerful vehicle for change.
Sharing the lessons he learnt along his journey, Eltayeb offers essential advice to aspiring artists. “First, you have to make sure you have the talent,” he stated earnestly. “Without it, you can’t walk your own path. But remember, that talent will become better and bigger when you work hard on yourself,” arguing success is unpredictable and needs patience, “Success is about influencing people, creating something that benefits them, when you touch people, when you make them laugh, cry, or feel something, you’re connecting with society. You’re affecting lives, and that’s what truly matters.”
He shifted gears, sharing updates about his current projects. “Right now, I’m filming a series called 220 Days, directed by Karim El Adl and written by Mahmoud Zahran with Saba Mubarak and Karim Fahmy, and a film called Goodbye Hamdi directed by Mahmoud Zahran including Shereen Reda, Bayoumi Fouad, and Aya Samaha.”
Then, with a conspiratorial smile, he shared some exclusive news. “I’m preparing a project based on my own idea called Oscar Team. It’s about athletes and football, but it’s not just a comedy—it’s a social drama. There’s humor, but everything is carefully crafted.” He paused for emphasis. “The goal is to provide hope for anyone who’s faced setbacks in their sport. This project aims to remind you that there’s always hope in life. We’re taking our time with the writing to make sure it’s just right.”
His eyes gleamed as he hinted at the scope of the series. “It’ll be a 15-episode series, but I can’t reveal too many details yet.” In sharing his aspirations and projects, he conveyed a sense of purpose and determination, demonstrating his commitment to creating meaningful art that resonates with audiences while continuing to explore new dimensions of his craft.
One thing is certain, Ali Eltayeb’s journey is one worth following.
Photography: Sherif Youssef
Hair & Makeup by Al Sagheer Salons