Biography

Mohamed Hassine Grayaa - Biography

Mohamed Hassine Grayaa (also known as Mohamed Kriaa) is a Tunisian actor and theatre director. He is considered one of the most recognizable faces in contemporary Tunisian cinema and theatre.

Early Life and Training

He studied dramatic arts under prominent Tunisian theatre figures, including Mansour Souissi. He began his artistic path on stage, where he shaped much of his acting style before moving toward television and film.

Career

Grayaa’s career spans theatre, cinema, and television:

In theatre, he performed in several acclaimed productions such as Le Ritz, Ksouf, and Dancing on the Bridge.

He later became one of the most in-demand actors in Tunisian cinema.

He has consistently expressed strong views about the difficulties facing the Tunisian film industry, arguing that cinema in Tunisia remains undervalued despite its talent and diversity.

Awards and Recognition

He received the Sotigui Award for Best North African Actor for his role in the film Ashkal (Forms). In 2025, he appeared in "Sky Without Earth", a Tunisian film shown at the Cannes Film Festival, an important moment for both him and Tunisian cinema.

Retirement from Theatre

In 2023, he announced his retirement from the stage due to laryngeal cancer, after 45 years of theatre work. His last performance was in the play "Shreeda". He wrote a farewell message saying that he leaves the stage "after 45 years... with laryngeal cancer as the result."

Artistic Vision

Grayaa often says that art chose him, not the other way around. He left teaching to devote himself fully to acting. He is passionate about literature, cinema, and cultural expression, and believes that culture should play a central role in Tunisia’s development.
- IMDb mini biography by: Lassaed