The career of Omar Sharif, born Michel Yusef Dimitri Chalhoub in Alexandria in 1932, spanned over 100 films and five decades. As a polyglot actor, he transitioned from Egyptian cinema to international prominence, becoming recognized for his ability to portray diverse characters across British, American, French, and Italian film productions during the mid-20th century.
Early Development and Egyptian Cinema
Educated at Victoria College and Cairo University, where he studied mathematics and physics, Sharif began his professional life in his father's precious woods business. He entered the Egyptian film industry in 1954 with The Blazing Sun, directed by Youssef Chahine. Throughout the 1950s, he achieved stardom in local productions such as Struggle in the Pier, Sleepless, and the 1961 film There is a Man in our House. He adopted the professional name Omar Sharif following his conversion to Islam and his marriage to actress Faten Hamama.
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Sharif gained global attention for his role as Sherif Ali in David Lean’s 1962 historical epic Lawrence of Arabia. His performance secured a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and won the 1963 Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. Following this success, he starred in the title role of Lean’s 1965 film Doctor Zhivago, for which he received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama. His subsequent career included roles in Funny Girl, The Tamarind Seed, and the 2003 French film Monsieur Ibrahim.
Professional Versatility
Beyond his filmography, Sharif was a high-level contract bridge player. His linguistic abilities—speaking Arabic, French, Italian, Spanish, and English—facilitated his international acting career, allowing him to portray characters from varied ethnic backgrounds. He received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in 2003 and the César Award for Best Actor in 2004. Sharif died in 2015 at the Behman Hospital and was buried at the Al-Sayeda Nafeesah Mosque.
Fast facts
- Born: 1932, Alexandria, Egypt
- Died: 2015, Behman Hospital, Egypt
- Education: Victoria College and Cairo University
- Notable Films: Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago
- Awards: Three Golden Globe Awards, one César Award
- Languages: Arabic, French, Italian, Spanish, English
- Burial Site: Al-Sayeda Nafeesah Mosque
Questions readers ask
What was Omar Sharif's birth name?
He was born Michel Yusef Dimitri Chalhoub.
Did Omar Sharif speak multiple languages?
Yes, he was proficient in Arabic, French, Italian, Spanish, and English.
Achievements
- Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement — 2003
- César Award for Best Actor — 2004
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama — 1966
- Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture — 1963
- Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor — 1963
- Notable work: Doctor Zhivago
- Notable work: Lawrence of Arabia
- Worked as actor, film actor and writer
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