Amidou
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- August 2, 1935
- Died
- September 19, 2013
- Birthplace
- Rabat, French Morocco
From Wikipedia Hamidou Benmessaoud (Arabic: حميدو بنمسعود; 2 August 1935 – 19 September 2013), best known as Amidou, was a Moroccan-French film, television and stage actor. Born in Rabat, at 17 Amidou moved to Paris to attend the CNSAD. In 1968 he made his debut on stage, in Jean Genet's Les paravents. Amidou is probably best known for his association with director Claude Lelouch, with whom he has shot eleven films, including the Lelouch's film debut Le propre de l'homme (1960). He made his debut in a Maroccan film in 1969, starring in Soleil de printemps directed by Latif Lahlou. His career includes roles in Spaghetti Westerns like Buddy Goes West and several American productions, including William Friedkin's Sorcerer, John Frankenheimer's Ronin and John Huston's Escape to Victory. In 1969 Amidou was awarded best actor at the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival for his role in Life Love Death by Claude Lelouch, later he won best actor awards at the Cairo Film Festival (for Pursuit by Leila Triquie) and at the Tangier Film Festival (for Rachid Boutounes' Here and There). In 2005, he received at the hands of Martin Scorsese a Lifetime Career Award at the International Film Festival of Marrakech. He was also the first Moroccan actor to have won an acting award at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Art. Amidou died on 19 September 2013 in Paris, France. He was 78.
Filmography
Aïcha : Vacances infernales 2012
as M. Bouamaza
Aïcha : La grande débrouille 2011
as M. Bouamaza
Aïcha : Job à tout prix 2011
as Mr. Bouamaza
Comme les 5 doigts de la main 2010
as Lakdar
Aïcha 2009
as M. Bouamaza
Ali Baba and the 40 thieves 2007
as Le Caliphe
Argana 2007
as Hamou
Heaven's Doors 2006
Actor
Here and There 2004
Actor
And Now... Ladies and Gentlemen... 2002
as l'inspecteur de police
- Une histoire d'amour
Une histoire d'amour 2002
Actor
Spy Game 2001
as Sheik's Doctor
Rules of Engagement 2000
as Dr. Ahmar
Hideous Kinky 1999
as Sufi Sheikh
Ronin 1998
as Man at Exchange
Soleil 1997
as Mokzar
Lalla Hobby 1996
Actor
Unveiled 1994
as Det. Brahms
The Big Pardon 2 1992
as Si Ali
The Beautiful Story 1992
as Le berger
Hot Chocolate 1992
as Beauregard
There Were Days... and Moons 1990
as Le motard au radar
Brothers in Arms 1989
as Le Kabyle
The Passenger 1987
Actor
Bird of The Orient 1986
Actor
Bitter Champagne 1986
as Slim
The Night Wears Suspenders 1985
Actor
Farewell Fred 1985
as Poupée
Les p’tites têtes 1982
as Prince Douzami
Escape to Victory 1981
as André
Les Avocats du Diable 1981
as Leader of the FLN
Buddy Goes West 1981
as Girolamo / Eagle Eye
Sorcerer 1977
as Kassem / 'Martinez'
Rosebud 1975
as Kirkbane
Man in the Trunk 1973
as Abdul
The Punishment 1973
as Raymond
3000 Million Without an Elevator 1972
as José
Smic, Smac, Smoc 1971
as Robert 'Smoc'
Touch and Go 1971
as Ali
The Crook 1970
as Bill
Countdown to Vengeance 1970
as Macias
Life Love Death 1969
as François Toledo
Soleil de Printemps 1969
Actor
Heartbeat 1968
as Etienne
The Girl Across the Way 1968
as Womanizer
Sorrel Flower 1967
as Francis, le porte-flingue d'Albert Roza
Live for Life 1967
as photographe
Les grands moments 1966
as Roger Amy
Brigade Anti Gangs 1966
as 'Nez Cassé'
To Be a Crook 1965
as Amidou
La parole est au témoin 1963
as (voice)
- Thé a la menthe
Thé a la menthe 1962
Actor
Flore et Blancheflore 1961
as L'aubergiste
The Right of Man 1961
Actor
Credits from TMDB.