Nelly Karim is a renowned Egyptian actress, fashion model, and ballerina, born in Alexandria to an Egyptian father and a Russian mother. She spent a significant part of her childhood in Russia, where she began her ballet training at a young age, eventually training with the Bolshoi Ballet. In 1991, she returned to Egypt and joined the Cairo Opera House, quickly establishing herself as a prominent ballerina. Her on-screen career began in 1995 as a dancer in the series "One Thousand and One Nights." However, her acting breakthrough came in 2000 when the legendary actress Faten Hamama selected her for a role in the TV series "Wagh El Amar" (Face of the Moon). Her cinematic debut was in the 2002 film "Sahar El Oyoun." Her talent was further recognized through her work with acclaimed director Youssef Chahine in "Alexandria... New York" (2004). Karim solidified her status as a leading star through complex and diverse roles in television dramas that often tackle critical social issues, including "A Girl Named Zat" (2013), "Segn El Nesa" (Women's Prison) (2014), "Taht El Saytara" (Under Control) (2015), and the comedy series "B 100 Wesh" (Multifaceted) (2020). Her notable film credits include "678" (2010), "The Blue Elephant" (2014), and "Clash" (2016).

Nelly Karim won the Best Actress award at the Cairo International Film Festival in 2004 for her role in the film "Enta Omri" (You're My Life). This early recognition in her cinematic career highlighted her exceptional acting abilities and set the stage for a successful journey. In 2011, she, along with the cast of the film "678," received the Jury Grand Prize at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. The film, which addressed the issue of sexual harassment in Egypt, garnered significant international acclaim, and Karim's performance was central to its impact and success. She also won the Best Actress award at the Arab Film Festival for her role in "678," further cementing the widespread positive reception of both the film and her powerful performance. In 2016, she served as a jury member for the Horizons section at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival. In 2024, Karim won the award for Best Actress in the film category at the Joy Awards held in Saudi Arabia for her role in the movie "Voy! Voy! Voy!". This award reflects her continued success and prominence in Arab cinema.

She graduated from the Ballet Institute at the Academy of Arts in Cairo and also pursued postgraduate studies in ballet directing.