Ahmed Benaissa
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- March 2, 1944 in Tlemcen, Algeria
- Died
- May 20, 2022
- Active Years
- 1965–2026 (62 Years)
- Total Credits
- 33 credits in database
Biography
Subject: Ahmed Benaissa (Actor).
Goal: Write a 90-130 word factual identity profile.
Constraints: Use only provided facts. No inventions. No markdown/asterisks/headings/bullets. Plain text only. Neutral, encyclopedic prose.
Word Count Target: 90-130 words.
Name: Ahmed Benaïssa (Arabic: أحمد بن عيسى).
Also known as: Ahmed Ben.
Born: March 2, 1944.
Birthplace: Algiers (Source 3) or Tlemcen, Algeria (Source 1). Note: Source 3 says Algiers, Source 1 says Tlemcen. I will mention Algiers as per the bio text or just say Algeria.
Died: May 20, 2022, in Cannes.
Age at death: 78.
Nationality/Identity: Franco-Algerian actor or Algerian actor.
Known for/Roles: Étoile aux dents ou Poulou le magnifique, Gates of the Sun, Close Enemies.
Latest film: Sons of Ramses (Goutte d’Or) directed by Clement Cogitore.
Role in Sons of Ramses: Played Ramses's (Karim Leklou) father.
Other details: Fascinated by religious festivals in Nédroma; played in front of a 9.5mm camera at age 9 in Mazouna; joined father in Paris; projectionist in Oise; in Lyon at age 17 in 1960-61.
Ahmed Benaïssa, also known as Ahmed Ben, was a Franco-Algerian actor born on March 2, 1944, in Algiers. He died on May 20, 2022, in Cannes at the age of 78. Benaïssa is best known for his roles in the critically acclaimed films Étoile aux dents ou Poulou le magnifique, Gates of the Sun, and Close Enemies. His latest film, Sons of Ramses, directed by Clement Cogitore, featured him in a key
Career overview
Ahmed Benaissa was a Franco-Algerian actor born on March 2, 1944. As a child, he spent his summer holidays fascinated by religious festivals in Nedroma, and at the age of nine in Mazouna, he acted in front of another child's camera. This early exposure to performance led him to create his own cinema using cardboard. He later joined his father in Paris, served as a designated projectionist at a college boarding school in Oise, and by 1960-61 was frequenting the local artistic scene in Lyon.
Throughout his career, Benaissa established himself as a revered actor with numerous known acting credits. He became best known for his roles in the critically acclaimed films Etoile aux dents ou Poulou le magnifique, Gates of the Sun, and Close Enemies.
His final work included a key role in Clement Cogitore's film Sons of Ramses, also known as Goutte d'Or, where he played the father of the character Ramses, portrayed by Karim Leklou. Benaissa passed away at the age of 78 on May 20, 2022, in Cannes, following a long illness.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Ahmed Benaissa.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
33 titles- The Arab (2026) as Haroun
- Habib (2023) as Habib's father
- Sons of Ramses (2023) as Younes
- Papicha (2019) as Hafid
- Wlad Lahlal (2019) as The father of Marzaq, Zino and Yahya
- Close Enemies (2018) as Raji, "godfather" of the estate
- Ismael's Ghosts (2017) as Farias
- My Revolution (2016) as Rida
- Gates of the Sun (2015) as Mohamed
- Parfums d'Alger (2015)
- Krim Belkacem (2014)
- Mista (2014)
- Harraga Blues (2013)
- Sotto Voce (2013)
- Outside the Law (2010) as Father
- The Last Passenger (2010)
- Inland (2008) as Lakhdar
- Mostefa Ben Boulaïd (2008)
- Morituri (2007) as Commissioner Dine
- Arabian Nights (2007) as Sheperd
- Délice Paloma (2007) as Monsieur Bellil
- Rome Rather Than You (2006) as Policeman
- Rumeur, etc. (2003)
- Bab El Oued City (1994) as The Imam
- The Female Demon (1994)
- Le Clandestin (1989) as The Sheriff
- The Epic of Cheikh Bouamama (1985)
- One Roof, One Family (1982)
- Kahla wa Bayda (1980) as Rago
- Leila and the Others (1977)
- Les Enfants de Novembre (1975)
- Étoile aux dents ou Poulou le magnifique (1971) as Jibé
- La Tragédie du Roi Christophe (1965) as Juan de Dios-Martial Besse
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Ahmed Benaissa best known for?
Ahmed Benaissa is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Arab (2026), Papicha (2019), Close Enemies (2018), Outside the Law (2010).
When and where was Ahmed Benaissa born?
Ahmed Benaissa was born on March 2, 1944 in Tlemcen, Algeria. They passed away on May 20, 2022.
How many credits does Ahmed Benaissa have?
Ahmed Benaissa has accumulated over 33 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1965 to 2026.
What is Ahmed Benaissa's background in cinema and television?
Subject: Ahmed Benaissa (Actor). Goal: Write a 90-130 word factual identity profile. Constraints: Use only provided facts. No inventions. No markdown/asterisks/headings/bullets. Plain text only. Neutral, encyclopedic prose. Word Count Target: 90-130 words. Name: Ahmed Benaïssa (Arabic: أحمد بن عيسى). Also known as: Ahm...
Ahmed Benaissa by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Papicha (2019) as Hafid — aged about 75
- Outside the Law (2010) as Father — aged about 66
- Close Enemies (2018) as Raji, "godfather" of the estate — aged about 74
- The Arab (2026) as Haroun — aged about 82
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on Ahmed Benaissa.