Abdul Rahim Tonsei
Abderrahim Tounsi, also known as Abdul Rahim Tonsei and 'Abdul Raouf', was a Moroccan actor and comedian. Born in Casablanca on December 27, 1936, he died there on January 2, 2023, at the age of 86. He was orphaned in Casablanca when his mother died when he was only six years old; his father, a Tunisian translator working for France, had been sent to Morocco for civil service. As a youth, Tonsei enjoyed watching comedic shows at the ‘Medina’ cinema and Western films at ‘Fox’ and ‘Apollo’ theaters, and he was inspired by the comedian Al-Qadimi who performed on Moroccan radio. His early life included participation in protests against colonialism and the exile of Sultan Mohammed V, resulting in his arrest and imprisonment for a month where he was tortured. During his time imprisoned by colonial authorities, Tonsei developed a passion for theatre. He joined a group of resistance fighters who performed theatrical shows about fighting colonialism. Following his release, he formed a theater troupe that performed in various Moroccan cities. It was during the 1960s that he created the character Abderraouf, which became exceptionally popular in Morocco. This character, representing foolishness and inspired by a classmate, embodied characteristics like loose clothing, unique movements, speech patterns, and sarcastic laughter. The character 'Abdul Raouf' is remembered for these distinctive traits and quickly gained popularity on stage before transitioning to television. Tonsei’s popularity significantly increased with the introduction of television to Morocco. The character Abderraouf became synonymous with ridicule in the Moroccan language. He continued performing and acting throughout his career, appearing in films such as Bila Hudud (2008), Majed (2011), and Ami (2017). Tonsei suffered from heart problems causing swelling and breathing difficulties prior to his death. For many decades, he is considered a legend of Moroccan comedy, leaving behind a legacy as a significant humorist and comedic actor.
