Renowned Egyptian actor Farouk Al-Fishawy has died at the age of 67, nine months after revealing he was battling cancer. The United star, who has appeared in numerous films and TV shows throughout his decades-long career, passed away on Thursday, according to multiple sources. Al-Fishawy, who most recently appeared in 2018's Lailat Hana wa Suroor, revealed his health struggle last year, during the opening of the Alexandria Mediterranean Film Festival in October.

"I was reluctant to say this, because I do not want to see any distress or discomfort from any of you, because I am not upset," he said after being honored at 34th edition of the festival. "After some tests and radiation, my doctor told me I have cancer, I will treat this disease as a headache, and with determination I will win … I will defeat it and I will attend the next session of the Alexandria Festival to be with you, and to congratulate another colleague for his honor." Al-Fishawy starred in more than 60 films and TV shows, with his career starting in 1979 when he made his debut in an episode of Abnaie Al- Aezzaa Shokran.

He also appeared alongside Adel Imam and Soaad Hosny in 1981's Al-Mashbouh, and produced 1986's Moshwar Omar and 1985's A Cry from Beyond. Some of his other prominent work includes Ightisab, 48 Hours in Israel, A Man with a Past, A Woman Shook the Throne, Al-zaman Al-saab, The Jeans and Katel Bela Ajer. His most recent work was alongside Egyptian actor Yehyia Al-Fakhrani in Kourfa Bel Zanjabeel (Cinnamon with Ginger), directed by Omar Abdel Aziz. He is survived by his son, Ahmed, who is also an actor. Ahmed starred in Sheikh Jackson, a quirky film about a cleric who becomes obsessed with Michael Jackson.-www.thenational.ae