Actor Omar Sharif Dies at 83

The most famous Arab actor in American cinema was known for more than Lawrence of Arabia.

Story by Matt Cummings

Omar Sharif, the dashing, Egyptian-born actor who was one of the biggest movie stars in the world in the 1960s, with memorable roles in “Dr. Zhivago,” “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Funny Girl,” has died. He was 83. According to his agent, Sharif suffered a heart attack in a hospital in Cairo. Sharif had been battling other health issues prior to his death. In May, it was announced that he had Alzheimer’s disease.

The last of the glamorous playboy actors from that period, Sharif became the most famous Arab actor in American cinema, his deep voice and dashing good looks landing him several significant roles over his career. Of course, one of them was 1962's Lawrence of Arabia with Peter O’Toole. In it, Sharif's charismatic presence elevated the epic film, bringing an Oscar nomination with it.

Thanks to that role, Sharif made three films in 1964, including Behold a Pale Horse and The Yellow Rolls RoyceIn 1965, he and Director David Lean teamed up for Dr. Zhivago, which landed Sharif a Golden Globe.

He went on to play an ethnically diverse amount of roles, from a Spaniard in Horse, a Russian in Zhivago, a Mongol in Genghis Khan, a New York Jewish gambler in Funny Girl, and a German major in The Night of the Generals.

He stayed busy throughout the next 50 years, starring most recently in American films like Hildalgo opposite Viggo Mortensen, and narrated Roland Emmerich’s 10,000 BC.

Sharif is survived by a son and two grandsons, Omar Sharif Jr. and Karim.

Image Sources: Wikipedia

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