Sid Ahmed Agoumi, iconic Algerian actor, dies at 86

Renowned Algerian actor and playwright Sid Ahmed Agoumi, born Ahmed Meziane, passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at the age of 86. His death was confirmed by the National Office of Copyright and Related Rights (ONDA), which described him as an emblematic figure of Algerian theater and cinema.

Agoumi began his career in the 1960s and appeared in dozens of films and stage productions. His notable film credits include Costa-Gavras’s ‘Z’ (1969), ‘Les Hors-la-loi’ (1969), and ‘Kahla Oua Beida’ (1980). He also gained widespread popularity through television series such as ‘Djemai Family’, ‘Nsibti Laâziza’, and ‘Sultan Achour 10’.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune issued a tribute to the artist, describing him as a ‘talented actor and a cultured intellectual’ and a ‘friend of great stature.’ The President noted Agoumi’s significant contribution to the national cultural landscape and his professional impact on both national and international productions.