Duraid Lahham
Duraid Lahham (in Roman transliteration, sometimes spelled "Durayd Lahham") is a leading Syrian comedian and director born 1934 in Damascus, Syria to a Syrian father and a Lebanese mother. He is famous for acting the role of "Ghawwar El Toshe" in a number of movies and series. His co-star throughout his career was Nehad Qalei who played the role of "Husni Al Borazani".
Duraid Lahham

Syrianhistory.com · Public domain
- Name
- Duraid Lahham دريد لحام
- Born
- 11 February 1934
- Birthplace
- Damascus, Syria
- Spouse
- Hala Bitar
- Full name
- دريد محمد حسن اللحام.
- Nationality
- Syria.
- Occupation
- film director, actor and screenwriter.
- Education
- Damascus University.
- Honours
- Order of Civil Merit of the Syrian Arab Republic.
- Languages
- Arabic.
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
Documentary summary
Duraid Lahham (in Roman transliteration, sometimes spelled "Durayd Lahham") is a leading Syrian comedian and director born 1934 in Damascus, Syria to a Syrian father and a Lebanese mother. He is famous for acting the role of "Ghawwar El Toshe" in a number of movies and series. His co-star throughout his career was Nehad Qalei who played the role of "Husni Al Borazani".
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Note VALÉORINE
Duraid Lahham (born 1934) is an actor, film director and screenwriter, among other activities, a national of Syria. The actor was born دريد محمد حسن اللحام in Al-Amin (Damascus).
Duraid Lahham was educated at Damascus University. The actor held the position of UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. Languages used include Arabic.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 27 September 2026
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wikidata · Q5316140 · wikipedia · Duraid Lahham
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Duraid Lahham دريد لحام • Born — 11 February 1934 • Birthplace — Damascus, Syria • Years Active — 1958–present • Spouse — Hala Bitar • Children — 3
Work
Work
From 1960 to 1976, Lahham and Qali performed as "Duraid and Nihad," and became highly successful and famous among various Arab audiences. By 1976, Nihad had to retire due to an illness. From then on, Lahham wrote, acted, and directed his own work. Lahham's work was greatly influenced by political events in the Arab World and this was reflected in the plays he wrote and directed. His films also carry political overtones and have been described as "deal[ing] with the artificiality and impracticality of borders between Arab states and with the abuse of human rights in the Arab world."
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
Lahham was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador to the Middle East and North Africa region in 1999. In 2004, he visited districts of Southern Lebanon which had been liberated from Israeli occupation. At a press conference, he gave a speech criticizing George W. Bush and Ariel Sharon, comparing them to Hitler. This caused Tel Aviv to protest Lahham's "undiplomatic language" to UNICEF, which resulted in UNICEF relieving him of his duties.
Recognition
Recognition
Lahham received several medals in recognition of his contributions: • In 1976, Hafez al-Assad, Syrian President at the time, awarded Lahham with the Order of Civil Merit, Excellence Class. • In 1979, Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba awarded him with a medal in recognition of his work. • In 1991, Libyan President Muammar al-Gaddafi awarded him a medal. • In 2000, Lahham received The Order of Merit of the Lebanese Republic, awarded to him by Lebanese President Émile Lahoud.
Cinema
Cinema
• Khayat Al-Sayyidate • Allaz Al-Zareef • Al-Hudood (1984) • Al-Taqreer • Ghriam Fee Istanbul • Fendooq Al-Ahlam • Imber Atwareaya Ghawwar • Al-melyouneara • 'aqed Al-lu' lu' • Sah Al-Noum • Kafroun • Al-Muziafoun • Mesek wa 'ember (Meratee Melyouneara) • Samak Bala Hasak • Al-Sa'aleek • Imra'ah Taskoun Wahdaha • Laqa' Fee Tahmer • Al-Wardah Al-Hamra' • Al-Tha'lab • La'eb Al-Kura • Zogatee Min Al-Habiz • Al-Nasabeen Al-Thalatha • 'indama Ta'gheeb Al-Zowagat • Ana' 'antar • Wahid + Wahid • Al-Sadeeqan • Al-Shereadan • Ghawwar Jemis bounid • Muqalib Fee Al-Mekseek • Ramal Min Dheheb • Al-Rajel Al-Munasib • Al-Aba'a Al-Sighar • Celina (musical) • Damascus Aleppo (2019)
Television
Television
• Ahlam Abu Al hana • Aaelati wa ana • Al Kherbeh • Hammam El-Hana • Sah Elnoum • Melh ou Sukar • Wayn El Ghalat • Al Doughri • Aoudat Ghawar • Maa'leb Ghawwar
Identity
Identity
Duraid Lahham is recorded with the occupation television actor. Recorded with the occupation film director. Recorded as film director, actor and screenwriter. Recorded at birth as دريد محمد حسن اللحام.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
1934
Duraid Lahham was born on 9 February 1934.
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Duraid Lahham”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q5316140: Duraid Lahham
General reference · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Duraid Lahham. IMDb.
- 2.Duraid Lahham. IMDb.
- 3.AbuKhalil, As’ad. "A New Arab Ideology?: The Rejuvenation of Arab Nationalism." Middle East Journal 46, no. 1 (1992): 22–36.
- 4.http://www.syrialive.net/Entertainment/archives/2004/music_news_aug04.htm
- 5.LIFESTYLE | Arab News.
References
Citations
References
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reference work
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General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 18 August 2026.
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