Egyptian actress Maaly Zayed died Monday afternoon in Maadi's military hospital, head of the Cinema Syndicate Ashraf Abdel-Ghafour told El-Cinema.com

Zayed was suffering from lung cancer which resulted in her clinical death Monday morning, added Abdel-Ghafour.

The 61-year-old was one of Egypt’s most celebrated actresses in the 1980s, with roles varying from comedy to melodrama.

She collaborated with director Raafat El-Meihy and actor Mahmoud Abdel-Aziz on several occasions which resulted in a number of social comedies that remain popular among Egyptian audiences today. Topping the list is Saydati Anesati (1989) and Al-Sada Al-Regal (1987).

Zayed was also a popular figure on the silver screen, starring in television series such Al-Hawi (1996), Dmoo' Fi Eyoun Wakeha (1980) and Ibn Al-Arandly (2009).

Her role in 2012's hit Ramadan television series Moga Harra was widely received as one of her best in later years.

Born on 5 November 1953, she studied in the faculties of arts and theatre.

*This story has been corrected at 18:15 GMT. The actress died at 61 and not 63 as previously reported