| Masood Akhtar | |
| Birth Date: | 5 September 1940 |
| Birth Place: | Sahiwal, Punjab, British Raj |
| Death Place: | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Occupation: | Actor |
| Yearsactive: | 1960 - 2022 |
| Awards: | Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2006 |
Masood Akhtar (Urdu: {{Nastaliq|مسعود اختر; 5 September 1940 – 5 March 2022) was a Pakistani film and television actor who was considered one of the versatile actors of the industry.[1]
Masood Akhtar was born in Sahiwal on 5 September 1940.[2] [3] After receiving his primary education from a local school, he entered Military College Murree.[4] Later, he enrolled in MAO College Lahore. After graduation, he started working in a bank, while he continued his studies to earn his Bachelor of Laws degree.[5]
Akhtar began his acting career in the 1960s with theatre and soon became one of the popular performers on stage. In 1968, director and producer Shabab Kiranwi introduced him to the film industry. He worked in around 135 movies — 78 Urdu, 51 Punjabi, three double versions and two Pashto.[6] Akhtar is the pioneer of starting stage drama at Alhamra Arts Council. One of his early plays, Paisa Bolta Hai (transl. Money Speaks), which was staged at Alhamra in the 1970s, earned him much popularity.
Masood Akhtar died of lung cancer in Lahore on 5 March 2022, at the age of 82. He was hospitalized for two months before his death. He was buried at Gulshan-e-Ravi D Block Graveyard. Among the survivors were his widow and two daughters. His 26 years old son Ali Raza had died of a heart attack in September 2021.[8] [4]