Lebleba

Ninochka Manoug Kupelian (; ; born November 14, 1946), better known by stage name Lebleba (, ), is an Egyptian actress.

Her legacy as an actress has become firmly established within Egyptian culture, with her career contributing significantly to the development of Egyptian cinema. Through her work, she has influenced numerous artists and helped broaden the representation and role of women in the entertainment industry.

Life and career

She was born in Cairo to an Armenian-Egyptian family. She started as a child actress imitating other actresses, including appearances on the Egyptian National Theater promoted by Muallem Sadiq.

Lebleba was given her stage name when director Niazy Mustafa and screenwriter Abul Seoud El-Ebiary cast her as a child in ‘‘Habibti Sousou’’ (’‘My Love Sousou’’, 1951). The following year, she starred opposite Hussein Sedki in ‘‘Al-Bayt Al-Said’’ (’‘The Happy Home’’, 1952). Her major breakthrough came after producer, director, and actor Anwar Wagdy attended her performance of ‘‘Adwaa Al-Madina’’ (’‘City Lights’’) in Alexandria while disguised to avoid recognition. Impressed by her performance, he later cast her in his successful 1954 film ‘‘Arba’ Banat wi Zabett’’ (’‘Four Girls and an Officer’’).

As her film career developed, Lebleba continued performing celebrity impressions and became so popular that legendary singer Abdel-Halim Hafez reportedly requested that she perform on stage immediately before his appearances. She married actor Hassan Youssef, but they divorced. She never remarried.

Awards She received several Best Actress awards, most notably at the Arab Film Biennale, organized by the Arab World Institute (IMA) in Paris, for her performance in Atef al-Tayeb’s ‘‘Laila Sakhina’’ (’‘Hot Night’’) in 1996. That same year, she also won a Best Actress award at the “All Africa” Festival in Cape Town for the same film.

In 2022, The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) honored renowned actress Lebleba with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award during the festival’s 44th edition, held from 13 to 22 November. The award recognized her extensive career, which began when she was a child, and her contributions to Egyptian cinema through numerous memorable films, television dramas, and entertainment performances. She described the award as a dream for every Egyptian actor and expressed her happiness at being honored on the festival’s stage. Other ventures Lebleba has also been involved in philanthropic work, supporting various charitable causes over the years, particularly those related to education, healthcare, and the preservation of culture. Her commitment to helping her community has contributed to the respect and admiration she receives beyond her career in entertainment.

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