Anecdotes

Born to an Egyptian father and an Italian mother.

Had one daughter by his American wife Barbara named Qesmet. Divorced Sabah after only three days of marriage.

He had difficulty at the start because acting was not allowed in his aristocratic family, and his father and the entire Abaza family strongly objected but he insisted.

Rushdy attended school at Collège Saint Marc in Alexandria.

He was considered one of the most charming actors in the Egyptian film industry and is one of the most famous.

Undeterred, and fluent in five languages, Abaza moved to Italy to pursue international stardom, appearing in several films including 'The 10 Commandments' (1956). However, this venture was a relative setback.

His long career ended abruptly with his last film, El Aqwya (The Strong People, 1980), which he did not complete and was screened two years after his death.

Abaza often played secondary and supporting roles. However, these roles allowed him to display his versatility, portraying a wide variety of characters-from villains to light-hearted young men to loyal friends.

One of his memorable works includes his portrayal of an abusive husband in Orid Halan (I Want A Solution, 1975) opposite Faten Hamama.

A significant milestone in his life came in 1948 when director Barakat noticed Abaza playing billiards at the Riviera Casino on Emad El-Din Street. Impressed by the 22-year-old, Barakat cast Abaza in the lead role of El-Millionira El-Soghira.

Abaza's portrayal of Esmat Kazem in Zulfikar's masterpiece El Ragel El Thany (The Second Man, 1959) was a turning point in his career. The film firmly placed Abaza's name among the stars, showcasing his ability to elicit sympathy even as a villain. His performance, characterized by a spectacular presence and nuanced portrayal, was crucial to the film's success.

He is remembered across genres and generations as a versatile star, leaving an indelible mark on Egyptian cinema as an action star, villain, comedian, and romantic leading man.

According to his son in law, Abaza's real life was truly like Don Juan. Fun and lovable, Abaza's funeral was visited by more than 100,000 people.

Abaza's initial three films-Zou el Waghan (The Man with Two Faces,1949), Amina (1949), and Emraa Menn Nar (Woman of Fire,1950)-failed to make a significant impact.

His handsomeness, athletic build, charisma, and acting skills were immediately apparent, setting him apart from his contemporaries.