- He originally studied mechanical engineering before becoming an actor.
- Egyptian President Mubarak granted Ahmed Zaki the Merit of Arts award for his work in over 50 movies in 2001.
- At Zaki's request, his funeral was filmed, the footage to be used in his final movie, a biography of famous Egyptian singer Abdul Halim Hafez, who died in 1977. The ailing actor insisted on leaving his hospital bed to shoot more scenes. His 21-year-old son Haitham plans to film the remaining scenes, playing Hafez in his youth.
- He broke the color barrier in Egyptian films by being the first Black actor to play leading roles usually reserved for light-skinned actors.
- He is known for portaying prominent characters in Egyptian history like Taha Hussien, Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar Sadat.
- He was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2004, after which he was treated at a Paris hospital before he returned to Cairo to continue chemotherapy.
- Announced that he is ready to act after recovering from lung cancer. (January 2005)
- On February 2004, he was diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing tests in France. French doctors have concluded that his condition is not terminal, and can be easily treated.
- Pictured on a £2 Egyptian commemorative postage stamp issued 27 November 2016.
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