Kiti Fotsaki, a prominent Egyptian actress and dancer known as “the عفريتة (demon) of Ismail Yassin,” died Friday in Athens, Greece, at the age of 96. The news was confirmed by Manolis Tasoulas, a Greek doctor and writer who was a close friend of the actress in her later years.
Born on February 21, 1930, in Alexandria, Egypt, to a Greek family, Kiti began her career as a dancer before transitioning to cinema. She rose to fame in the 1940s and 50s, appearing in numerous films, most notably alongside comedian Ismail Yassin. Her performances earned her a reputation as a captivating and energetic performer.
According to reports, Kiti had lived in Athens for many years, surrounded by her grandchildren, and maintained a private life, largely avoiding public appearances and media attention. Several attempts were made by Egyptian media figures, including Samir Sabri and Wael El-Ibrashi, to interview her, but she consistently declined.
Kiti’s career spanned nearly two decades, during which she appeared in approximately 69 films. She worked with renowned performers of the time, including Ismail Yassin, and also spent time performing at the Casino Badia Masabni and the Opera Casino, as well as a decade at the Shahrzad Casino in Cairo. Her final film appearance was in 1965’s “Al-Aql wal-Mal” (The Mind and the Money), alongside Hassan Fayek, Tawfiq El-Daqn, and Madiha Kamal.
The circumstances surrounding her disappearance from the public eye in the late 1950s have remained a subject of speculation. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Athens, according to Tasoulas.
