Rabat – Moroccan well-known and beloved actor and comedian Abderrahim Tounsi, known as Abderraouf, has passed away at age 86 after suffering from a long-term illness.
Abderraouf’s son, Oussama Tounsi, announced his father’s death on his Facebook account in the early hours of Monday. The Moroccan artist died in the family home in Casablanca, after suffering from ongoing health issues.
The news of Abderraouf’s passing sent a wave of sadness among his fans, as they mourned the death of one of Morocco’s most iconic actors and comedians.
Born on December 27, 1936, in Casablanca, Abderraouf made his professional debut in the early sixties. He was renowned for his “distinctive loose dress and childish appearance,” outlet Elcinema indicated.
Abderraouf once said: “I tried wearing different clothes but I realized that large clothes fit my sarcastic character.”
In 1957, Abderraouf founded a theater band, which performed in a number of theaters across Morocco and abroad. His comic genius was not limited to the stage, as he also starred in several television works.
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The late Moroccan has left a rich legacy, as he featured in many notable works, including movies Majid, Bila Hodoud, and Aami (my uncle), his latest film which was released in 2016.
However, he is best known for his television series and sitcom “Abderraouf and Retirement” (2007), thanks to which he gained widespread popularity and was nicknamed after the leading character Abderraouf.
Several Moroccan artists and public figures mourned his passing as the news spread through social networks.
“He left after saying goodbye to the end of the year … After a lifetime in which he made millions of Moroccans laugh,” said Moroccan actor Rachid El Ouali, extending his deepest condolences to the family of the late icon.
