Omar Sharif was an Egyptian actor who is best known for his roles in Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, and Monsieur Ibrahim. He gained fame as a leading actor in both Egyptian cinema and Hollywood.
Personal and Family Life
Omar Sharif was born Michel Demetri Shalhoub on April 10, 1932, in Alexandria, Egypt. He married famous Egyptian actress Faten Hamamah in 1955, converting to Islam and taking on the name Omar Sharif. They had one son, Tarek Sharif, before divorced in 1974. He reportedly described Faten as his only true love, and he never remarried after their separation.
Health and Later Life
Sharif suffered health issues later in life, including triple bypass surgery in 1992 and a mild heart attack in 1994. He was known to be a heavy smoker before his surgery but quit easily afterwards. In his later years, he had a brief but celebrated return to acting with a notable performance in Monsieur Ibrahim, which won him several awards.
Death and Legacy
Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2012, Omar Sharif passed away from a heart attack on July 10, 2015, in Cairo, Egypt. His contributions to cinema and his unique background made him a prominent figure in both Egyptian and international film. Sharif is remembered not only for his iconic films but also as a world-class bridge player, having authored books and columns on the game.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Monsieur Ibrahim et les Fleurs du Coran | 2003-09-17 | Monsieur Ibrahim |
| Doctor Zhivago | 1965-12-22 | Dr. Yuri Zhivago |
| Lawrence of Arabia | 1962-12-11 | Sherif Ali |
| Hidalgo | 2004-02-04 | Sheikh Riyadh |
| Bloodline | 1979-06-29 | Ivo Palazzi |
| Genghis Khan | 1965-04-15 | Genghis Khan / Temujin |
| Mackenna’s Gold | 1969-03-18 | Colorado |
| Funny Girl | 1968-09-19 | Nick Arnstein |
| The Fall of the Roman Empire | 1964-03-24 | Sohamus |
| Funny Lady | 1975-03-15 | Nick Arnstein |