Omar Sharif
| Omar Sharif | |
|---|---|
Sharif in 1963
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| Born |
Michel Dimitri Chalhoub 10 April 1932 Alexandria, Egypt |
| Died | 10 July 2015 (aged 83) Cairo, Egypt |
| Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Other names | Omar el-Sherief, Omar Cherif |
| Education | Victoria College, Alexandria |
| Alma mater |
Cairo University Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1954–2015 |
| Spouse(s) | Faten Hamama (m. 1955; div. 1974) |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards |
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Omar Sharif (Arabic: عمر الشريف, Egyptian Arabic pronunciation: [ˈʕomɑɾ eʃʃɪˈɾiːf]; born Michel Dimitri Chalhoub[miˈʃel dɪˈmitɾi ʃælˈhuːb]; 10 April 1932 – 10 July 2015) was an Egyptian actor. He began his career in his native country in the 1950s, but is best known for his appearances in both British and American productions. His films included Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Doctor Zhivago (1965), and Funny Girl (1968). He was nominated for an Academy Award. He won three Golden Globe Awards and a César Award.
Sharif, who spoke Arabic, English, Greek, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian fluently, was often cast as a foreigner of some sort. He bridled at travel restrictions imposed by the government of Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser, leading to self-exile in Europe. The estrangement led to an amicable divorce from his wife, the iconic Egyptian actress Faten Hamama. He had converted to Islam in order to marry her. He was a lifelong horse racing enthusiast, and at one time ranked among the world's top contract bridge players.
Omar Sharif, whose adopted surname means "noble" or "nobleman" in Arabic, was born on 10 April 1932, as Michel Dimitri Chalhoub in Alexandria, Egypt, to a Melkite Catholic family. His father, Joseph Chalhoub, a precious woods merchant originally from Zahlé, Lebanon, moved to the port city of Alexandria in the early 20th century, where Sharif was later born. His family moved to Cairo when he was four. His mother, Claire Saada, was a noted society hostess, and Egypt's King Farouk was a regular visitor prior to his deposition in 1952.
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