Omar Sharif

Biography

Omar Sharif (April 10, 1932 - July 10, 2015) was a renowned Egyptian actor, often celebrated as one of the most iconic male film stars in his homeland. Born into a family of a precious wood trader, he was raised in a close-knit Christian household with roots in Syria and Lebanon, alongside his parents and sister. He attended Victoria College, a well-regarded British institution in Alexandria, where he focused on science and foreign languages before discovering his passion for theater. An outstanding academic, he pursued higher education at Cairo University, earning a degree in mathematics and physics. He later converted to Islam in order to marry the acclaimed Egyptian actress Faten Hamama.

Sharif's international breakthrough came in 1962 when he portrayed Prince Sherif Ali in David Lean's epic film Lawrence of Arabia. This marked the actor's first cinematic venture outside of Egypt and initiated a lasting friendship with Peter O'Toole, significantly altering the trajectory of Sharif's career. His performance earned him a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor, after which he made the pivotal decision to relocate from Egypt to Hollywood. Omar Sharif's legacy is not only defined by his remarkable talent but also by his contributions to cinema, bridging cultural divides through his work.