OMAR SHARIF, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA
DR. ZHIVAGO
Posted on 07/10/2015 9:23:32 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Egyptian actor Omar Sharif, best known for his roles in Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago died at age of 83, Egyptian media reported.
“He died this afternoon of a heart attack in Cairo,” Steve Kenis told AFP, adding that the actor had been in a hospital for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born in a Syrian family and named Michel Demitri Chalhoub in Egypt in 1932, he was brought up as a Roman catholic and earned a college degree in mathematics and physics before he joined his family’s business.
Read: Hollywood film legend Omar Sharif suffering from Alzheimer’s disease
Omar performed in Egyptian films in the 1950s and later married an Egyptian actor Faten Hamama.
1962′s Lawrence of Arabia, which was his first English-language film, made him an international star earning him two Golden Globe Awards and an Oscar nomination.
Three years later, he won another Golden Globe for Doctor Zhivago.
He also played Fanny Brice’s husband in “Funny Girl,” starring Barbara Streisand.
Sharif appeared in 118 TV and movie roles over his decades-long career.
Omar and Faten had one son, Tarek Sharif. They got divorced in 1974.
Sharif was born in Egypt but spent many years living between France, Italy and the United States, before settling back in his native country.
I know he used to write a column about contract bridge that appeared in a number of newspapers. He was an internationally top ranked player.
Time to fire up Dr. Zhivago and watch it again.
“He was nothing. The well is everything.”
Sad news! RIP Omar Sharif.
He was a fine actor. I remember he was a villain in a western — have to look up the name — the movie stunk, but Sharif played his part well.
Rest in peace.
One of my favorite actors...
Had the LP for Dr Zhivago because of him...
I think that is my favorite movie of all time. When the mister and I were first getting acquainted, it turned out that it was/is BOTH of our favorite movie of all time.
Very sad...loved his performances....
RIP
He played his roles very well. A fine actor.
RE: “He was nothing. The well is everything.”
This is still the attitude of many of those living in that part of the world. Nothing much has changed.
Dr. Zhivago came out when I was in the sixth grade.
My Dad, a Knight of Columbus, used to receive “Columbia Magazine” which contained movie reviews.
Mom would not let me see “Dr. Zhivago” because Columbia Magazine said it was inappropriate.
I sneaked out to the movie anyway and fell totally in love with Omar Sharif.
I confessed to Mom that I had gone to the movie. She said, “But it showed two people in bed together who weren’t MARRIED!!!”
“They were too married,” I replied , “But not to each other!”
RIP Omar and thanks for the memories.
One of the greats. It shames me to admit this, as a film buff, but I’ve never seen either Lawrence of Arabia or Dr. Zhivago. Think I’ll rectify that this weekend.
RIP.
“You forgot you phony dog poo.”
“What phony dog poo”
-Top Secret.
RIP
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