Who was Abdulhussain Abdulredha, the Kuwaiti actor honoured by Google?

It would have been the actor, singer, playwright and comedian's 83rd birthday

A Google Doodle celebrating Kuwaiti actor and comedian Abdulhussain Abdulredha's 83rd birthday. Photo: Google

On this day, in 1939, Abdulhussain Abdulredha was born in Kuwait to a seaman and homemaker.

He went on to become famous across the region, as he forged a career in show business, becoming an esteemed actor, singer, playwright and comedian.

Google has paid homage to the man on what would have been his 83rd birthday with a doodle illustrated by guest artist Ahmed Al-Refaie, who lives in Kuwait City.

Abdulredha was the seventh of 14 children.

He studied printmaking in Egypt and Germany before entering the entertainment business.

Abdulhussain Abdulredha died in 2017 in London after a life on the stage and in comedy. Photo: MBC

Over his 50-year career, he became particularly well known for his work in the tragi-comedy genre, where he highlighted important social issues, and performed in and produced more than 30 plays and television series.

In 2006, Abdulredha founded Funoon TV, which was the first Arabic-language channel to focus on comedy material.

He died in 2017 aged 78 after going into intensive care following surgery in London.

"Abdulhussain is remembered for his bold social commentary, powerful singing voice, and being a father figure of Kuwait comedy," reads the Google description.

"His comedy not only provided entertainment but also encouraged the audience to contemplate issues affecting Arab societies."

Alrefaie, who goes by the monniker owaikeo, says he was "delighted" to represent Kuwait by illustrating a doodle on behalf of a "cultural icon".

"Abdulhussain Abdulredha is well known and I used to watch his plays on TV when I was younger and was amazed by his comedic performances," he tells Google in an interview. "My concept draws inspiration from my memories where Abdulhussain shines on stage with an audience bursting with laughter."

In order to create the doodle, Alrefaie went back through Abdulredha's work for inspiration. "It really helped me capture his humor and personality in the composition and art style," he explains.

Google pays homage to the Mena region

The search engine often pays tribute to famous figures across the Mena region.

Already this month, Google ran an animated doodle of the UAE's flag fluttering in the wind is visible on homepages across the nation on Friday, as the search engine giant marks the country's 51st National Day.

Once users clicked on the animation, fireworks shot across the web page in green, white and black, the colours of the UAE flag, which Google explained "represent courage, prosperity, peace and strength of mind".

A few days earlier, Emirati poet Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi, or Ousha the Poet, was honoured with a dedicated doodle.

One of the greatest Nabati poets of the 20th century, Al Suwaidi was recognised on November 28 in 2011 for her contributions to literature.

Last month, Google also honoured Egyptian scientist and marine biologist Hamed Gohar, who was known by a whole generation of Arabs as the host of Sea World, a TV show he fronted for more than 18 years.

Scroll through the gallery below to see other regional Google Doodles over the past few years

A Google Doodle celebrating Egyptian actress Karima Mokhtar's 89th birthday. All images: Google

Egyptian writer Ihsan Abdel Quddous

Kuwaiti actor and comedian Abdulhussain Abdulredha's 83rd birthday

UAE National Day 2022 Google Doodle.

Ousha Al Suwaidi was a poetess from the United Arab Emirates.

Prof. Hamed Abdel Fattah Goher was an Egyptian oceanographer, scientist and TV presenter.

Tunisia's Tawhida Ben Cheikh was a pioneer in women's medicine.

Google Doodle of Egyptian actor and director Nour El-Sherif honours him on what would have been his 75th birthday.

Google celebrates Syrian-Egyptian composer and actor Farid Al Atrash with a Google Doodle to mark what would have been his 110th birthday.

Children's author Notaila Rashed is honoured with a special Google Doodle to mark her 86th birthday.

Egyptian actress, producer, writer and filmmaker Bahiga Hafez was born 112 years ago, on August 4.

The Google Doodle for January 20, 2020, celebrates Mufidah Abdul Rahman, Egypt's first female lawyer.

A Google Doodle on June 10, 2019, celebrates Egyptian author Ahmed Khaled Towfik.

Google Doodle honours Persian mathematician, poet and astronomer Omar Khayyam on what would have been his 971st birthday.

Mary Mounib was a renowned actress in the Egyptian cinema scene. Her 114th birthday is marked in a Google Doodle on February 11, 2019.

Egyptian poet Gamila El Alaily is honoured in a Google Doodle on March 20, 2019.

Syrian artist Louay Kayali is the subject of Google's doodle on January 20, 2019.

Egyptian-French singer and actress Dalida is honoured on her birthday by Google Doodle, on January 17, 2019.

Egyptian actress Hind Rostom is celebrated in a Google Doodle on her 87th birthday, on November 12, 2018.

Ibn Sina, one of the greatest thinkers of Islam's golden age, is honoured on August 7, 2018.

A Google Doodle honours Saudi musician Talal Maddah on what would have been his 78th birthday, on August 5, 2018.

A Google Doodle gif marks Egyptian actor Omar Sharif's birthday on April 10, 2018.

Egyptian poet Farouk Shousha is honoured by Google on what would have been his 82nd birthday, on January 9, 2018.

Google celebrates Lebanese singer Sabah's 90th birthday on November 10, 2017.

Egyptian painter Inji Aflatoun's Google Doodle pays homage to her style of bold brushstrokes.

Google celebrates the birthday of Algerian painter Mohammed Khadda, who was born on March 14, 1930.

Lebanese singer-songwriter Melham Barakat is honoured by Google on his birthday.