Biography
Dorra Zarrouk is a multifaceted Tunisian Egyptian artist and a prominent Arab star known for her remarkable talent in acting. With over 80 works across cinema, television, and theater, Dorra has left an indelible mark in the entertainment industry, achieving both critical and popular success.
Her diverse roles and exceptional performances have earned her a reputation as one of the region’s most versatile and respected artists, collaborating with renowned directors, producers, and screenwriters both in the Arab World and internationally.
With a master's degree in political science from Saint Joseph University in Lebanon, Dorra strives to infuse her art with meaning that is both relevant and pertinent to current times.
Early career
Dorra began her acting career as a theater thespian in Tunisia, initially joining a troupe and making her stage debut in the play MAJNOUN by Tawfik Jebali. She quickly transitioned to television and film, starring in the 2002 French-Tunisian title KHORMA before making an international appearance in the BBC docudrama COLOSSEUM: ROME’S ARENA OF DEATH.
She later starred with Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass in the 2004 series NADIA AND SARA. She then starred alongside Dhafer L’Abdine in the Tunisian TV series MAKTOOB. In 2018, she had a prominent role in Nacer Khemir’s WHISPERING SANDS.
A career that spans countries
Dorra has shined both in Egypt and Tunisia, flourishing in the works of legendary Egyptian directors such as Youssef Chahine, Yousry Nasrallah, Samir Seif, Mohamed Yassin, and Kamla Abou Zekry. She starred in the aforementioned Chahine’s HEYA FAWDA — which premiered at the Venice Film Festival — and Yousry Nasrallah’s poignant masterpiece AQUARIUM GROTTO GARDEN. She continued her Egyptian film success with SHEIKH JACKSON, which was selected for Best International Feature Film at the 90th Academy Awards, the Mohammed Henedy box-office hit ANTAR IBN IBN IBN SHADDAD, as well as the romantic comedy TOSBEEH ALA KHAIR alongside screen sweetheart Tamer Hosny.
Her Egyptian television works include EL KHOROUGH, LAHAZAT HAREGA, ELAAN, and NESR EL SAEED, MOGA HARRA, and the iconic SEGN AL-NISSA, MBC’s AL-AJHAR, the esteemed Wahid Hamed’s AL JAMA’A, the horror series JIDRAN, BEIN AL-SAMA WA AL-ARD, NASEEBY WA QESMETEK, and a leading role in ELLA ANA.
Moving to Tunisia, Zarrouk worked with an array of directors– including Moufida Tlatli, Nouri Bouzid, Reda Behi, and Nacer Khemir— shining in the films SENESHETA and BAB ALPHA; as well as the television shows LEILAT SHAK, AL MAESTRO, and the Tunisian action-comedy film SAHBAK RAGEL.
A powerful presence
Throughout her career, Zarrouk has represented a number of major fashion houses and brands, including Armani Swiss luxury jewelry house Chopard— which chose Zarrouk as their representative during the 74th Cannes Film Festival, becoming their first Arab ambassador in the process, as well as. That same year, she was named brand ambassador for Armani’s line of fragrances. With an active presence on social media and her head-turning appearances on all the latest red carpets, Dorra has aptly made a name for herself in the fashion industry. In 2024, she announced the launch of her very own fashion house; Maison Dorra Zarrouk.
Moving on to the star’s multiple awards and accolades; most notably among them include the 2012 Murex d’Or for Best Arab Actress and an Official Tunisian Order of Cultural Merit. Zarrouk was also named Best Arab Actress in 2018, by What Happens Magazine. In 2022, the Tunisian International Human Rights Festival bequeathed her honors on International Women's Day in recognition of her artistic journey and her successful portrayal of Arab women.
Zarrouk has also featured on several jury boards across festivals worldwide; including the short films category of El Gouna, Tribeca, Malmo, and Cairo International Film Festivals. She was also featured on the panels of the Luxor, Alexandria, Aswan — in the women’s films category — and Tozeur festivals.
