Hassan Hosny was born in the citadel district of Cairo on June 19, 1936. Born to an entrepreneur father, he lost his mother when he was six years old. Described as a thespian during his school years, Hosny started acting in the 1960s in theatre plays as part of the Egyptian military's theatrical group. His breakout role came when he starred as a corrupt civil servant in the popular TV show 'My Dear Children, Thank You'. Popularly known for his comedic style, he also established himself as a serious actor in dramas.