Biography Omar Sharif – RIA Novosti

The Egyptian actor Omar Sharif (Omar Sharif, birth name – Michel Demitri Shalhub, Michael Demitri Shalhoub) was born on April 10, 1932 in Alexandria, Egypt in the family lumber merchant.

He graduated from Victoria College in Alexandria and then earned a degree in mathematics and physics at the University of Cairo. After graduation engaged in the family business.

In the movie, Sharif made his debut in 1953 in the Egyptian film “Struggle in the Valley” (Blazing Sun). Having played in several Egyptian films, he gained fame at home.

International famous actor was playing the role of Sheriff Ali ibn al-Harish in the film David Lean’s “Lawrence of Arabia” (Lawrence of Arabia, 1962) . For this role, he won the “Golden Globe” for Best Supporting Actor nomination for “Oscar” (1963) and the title of “New Star of the Year” (New Star of the Year).

After the success of the film ” Lawrence of Arabia, “Sharif went out of Egypt, he worked in the United States and Western Europe.

In 1965, the actor continued his collaboration with David Lin, starring him in the title role in the film” Doctor Zhivago “(Doctor Zhivago) on the novel by Boris Pasternak. For this work, Sharif received his second “Golden Globe” Best Actor (Drama).

In 1968 came William Wydler musical “Funny Girl” (Funny Girl), where Omar Sharif played opposite Barbra Streisand .

Total filmography actor has about 70 paintings, among them “Mackenna’s Gold” (Mackenna’s Gold, 1969), “War of the Crusaders” (The Last Valley, 1970), “The Mysterious Island” (The Mysterious Island, 1973), “Funny Lady” (Funny Lady, 1975), “Consanguinity” (Bloodline, 1979), “Green Ice” (Green Ice, 1981), “Anastasia. Mystery of Anna” (Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna, 1986 ), “The Possessed” (The Possessed, 1988), “Fight with the lions” (Lie Down with Lions, 1994), “Gulliver’s Travels” (Gulliver’s Travels, 1996), “Saint Peter” (St. Peter, 2006).

Omar Sharif was also known as a gambler and an authority on the game of bridge. He has written several books on bridge, named in honor of his computer game – Omar Sharif Bridge.

He is the author of memoirs, “The eternal masculinity” (1976).

Since 1955, Sharif was married Egyptian actress Faten on Hamama (1931-2015), whom he met on the set of his first film. In 1957 they had a son Tareq.

In 1974, Omar Sharif, divorced and never married.

In recent years, the actor was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

10 July 2015 Omar Sharif died.