via CNN

Passion and talent can lead people down unexpected paths, and for some, this means leaving a stable career in engineering to pursue a dream in art. Here, we are highlighting several artists who traded blueprints for spotlights and made this bold transition to became stars in the entertainment industry.

Sayed Ragab

Sayed Ragab, an actor and writer, initially embarked on a career in theatre. He spent many years working in experimental and free theatre, showcasing his talents in Egypt and internationally. Ragab's cinematic journey began with the 2009 film Ibrahim El Abyad. He continued to gain recognition with the 2011 film El Shoo2, which he wrote and acted in. His career reached new heights since his leading role in the three-part series Abo El 3arousa.

Youssef El Sherif

Youssef El Sherif, born Mohamed Ismail Nagi, graduated from the Faculty of Engineering at Ain Shams University, specialising in mechanics. His transition to acting began in 2004 with the film 7 Wara2at Kotshina. Over the years, he has risen to prominence, taking lead roles in hit shows, most noticeably Kafr Delhab, Le3bet Iblis, and El Kaysar.

Mahmoud El Leithy

Mahmoud El Leithy, originally from Alexandria, joined the Faculty of Engineering at his father's behest. However, his true passion for singing soon took over. El Leithy gained fame through his performances in various films and has released five successful albums. In 2015, he was honoured as the best popular singer at the Meema Awards, solidifying his place in the music industry.

Chico

Hesham Mohamed, widely known as Chico, began his career as a mechanical engineer, inspired by his parents, who were both engineers. However, Chico's love for comedy led him to form the Tamr Hindi for Artistic Production group with his friends during their university days. They created satirical low-budget films that caught the attention of writer and producer Mohamed Hefzy, who helped them transition into successful mainstream movies and series.

Hesham Maged

Another member of Tamr Hindi for Artistic Production, Hesham Maged, graduated from Cairo University with an engineering degree. He worked as a maintenance engineer in a Sharm El-Sheikh hotel for seven years. Hesham and his friends created films mocking famous Egyptian movies, a concept that intrigued producer Mohamed Hefzy, whose support led to the production of several hit movies and TV shows.