A Perak Native Was the First Malay Actor in Hollywood

Ibrahim Pendek, whose real name was Ibrahim bin Hassan, was born in the town of Taiping, Perak, in 1932.

He was a famous Malay film artist known for his steady and natural acting style. He was also a special individual, born with dwarfism and standing at only 130 cm tall. Among his famous films that remain popular to this day are Ali Baba Bujang Lapok, Nasib Si Labu Labi, Keluarga Si Comat, and many more. He began his artistic career in 1950, leaving his hometown in 1953 for Singapore with the intention of seeking a livelihood. At that time, he never thought of becoming an actor. His opportunity to enter the film industry came when he was accepted to work as a projectionist at Studio Jalan Ampas.

While picnicking, he met Run Run Shaw, the owner of the company where Ibrahim worked, who offered him a job as an office boy. While working there, he lived with the artist S. Sudarmaji, and it was then that he got the opportunity to act in several films as an extra. This continued until Ibrahim Pendek received a bigger opportunity in the film Panggilan Pulau, playing the character Ramli alongside national legends P. Ramlee, S. Kadarisman, and Normadiah in 1954. After that, his acting career continued to grow, and because his comedic character was so well-suited, he was given the opportunity to act in several other films, such as Anakku Sazali, Kipas Hikmat, Pusaka Pontianak, Siti Muslihat, and some directed by P. Ramlee, such as Ali Baba Bujang Lapok and Nasib Labu-Labi.

As fate would have it, while filming Ali Baba Bujang Lapok, Universal International from Hollywood visited Studio Jalan Ampas and was very impressed with Ibrahim Pendek's performance in the film. From that moment on, Universal International sent him an offer to act as a doctor's assistant in a Hollywood-produced film titled The Spiral Road in 1962.

A beautiful moment in history began when Ibrahim Pendek brought honor to the nation by making a grand mark in Malay cinema, as he was the first Malay actor to ever appear in a Hollywood production, starring alongside Rock Hudson and Gene Rowlands in the film The Spiral Road. After making history by acting in that film, he was offered another chance by Hollywood to continue acting in their productions, but his wish to pursue his career there could not be fulfilled because the government at the time did not approve his visa.

• Panggilan Pulau - (1954) - (supporting actor) - role as (Ramli)
• Kipas Hikmat - (1955) - (actor)
• Menyerah - (1955) - (actor)
• Anakku Sazali - (1956) - (supporting actor)
• Taufan - (1958) - (supporting actor)
• Pendekar Bujang Lapok - (1959) - (extra)
• Lela Manja - (1960) - (actor)
• Ali Baba Bujang Lapok - (1961) - (supporting actor) - role as (Sergeant)
• Indera Bangsawan - (1961) - (actor)
• The Spiral Road - (1962) - (actor)
• Siti Muslihat - (1962) - (actor)
• Batu Durhaka - (1962) - (actor)
• Nasib Si Labu Labi - (1963) - (supporting actor) - role as (Haji Ibrahim)
• Kasih Tanpa Sayang - (1963) - (actor)
• Dupa Cendana - (1964) - (supporting actor)
• Sayang Si Buta - (1965) - (supporting actor)
• Mat Lanun - (1968) - (actor)
• Keluarga Si Comat - (1975) - (lead actor)
• Pendekar - (1977) - (actor)
• Tuan Badul - (1979) - (supporting actor)
• Serampang Tiga - (1981) - (supporting actor) - role as (Jalur)
• Penyamun Tarbus - (1981) - (lead actor)
• Da Di Du - (1981) - (lead actor)
• Setinggan - (1981) - (lead actor)
• Sikit Punya Gila - (1982) - (supporting actor) - role as (Pak Brahim)
• Hero - (1989) - (supporting actor)
• Awang Spanar - (1989) - (guest artist)
• XX-Ray - (1992) - (supporting actor) - role as (Beragas)

After a long absence from the acting world, he spent much of his time selling food around his residence in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. Although many acting opportunities and offers were still given, Ibrahim Pendek had to decline due to health issues, as he was worried he would not be able to give his full commitment. However, he managed to complete a "telemovie" (VCD), which was also his final acting role, titled Selamat Hari Jadi Abah.

He breathed his last at the age of 71 on November 25, 2003, while Muslims were celebrating Aidilfitri, after undergoing abdominal surgery at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital. Prior to that, he had been placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for two weeks due to kidney disease, fluid in the lungs, and shortness of breath. Ibrahim Pendek was laid to rest at the Taman Midah Muslim Cemetery, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.