Omar Sharif, a name synonymous with versatility and groundbreaking achievement, scaled heights unprecedented by an Arab actor. His illustrious career, spanning varied roles, mirrored his extraordinary life—a Christian who embraced Islam for love, an Egyptian actor whose global fame was ignited by a Jewish filmmaker from Hollywood, a champion contract bridge player, author of syndicated columns and books on the game, and an advisor to George W. Bush against the Iraq invasion.
In the annals of Arab cinema, no star has rivaled Omar Sharif's prowess. The legendary Egyptian actor, who became Arab cinema’s first major crossover star after 1962’s "Lawrence of Arabia," possessed such copious talent and a personality so grand that his presence has only intensified in the public consciousness since his death in 2015. The film world continues its quest to locate his true successor.
Born Michel Yusef Dimitri Chalhoub in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1932, Sharif—who adopted his stage name upon entering filmmaking—was raised in a multilingual household. His parents, who had migrated from Zahle, Lebanon, decades prior, instilled in him an early affinity for languages. He effortlessly picked up Arabic, English, and his mother's French, along with Italian and Spanish.
Before breaking into the Hollywood English-language industry, Sharif established a considerable reputation in Egyptian cinema. Despite not fitting the conventional clean-cut romantic lead, he was too charismatic for a second-string character and too engaging to be cast as a mere villain. His unique personality was his trump card to success. His acting style was unconventional, showcasing considerable inventiveness and originality, particularly when underplayed, imbued with a unique aristocratic air.
Sharif personified class, embodying an aristocracy of international sophistication with a leaning towards conservatism. His acting was characterized by a fusion of rawness, ruthless expression, suavity, grace, wit, and machismo. Omar could conjure expressions as diverse as a rainbow, demonstrating subtle stealth, detachment, and an exceptional ability to underplay. His roles could effectively range from pure innocence to the crudest machismo, masterfully fusing intensity with a touch of vulnerability. An uncanny smile often characterized the actor’s expression.
The most famous Arab actor in Hollywood, Omar Sharif, made his spectacular splash with an intense performance in David Lean's epic "Lawrence of Arabia." He then navigated diverse roles, portraying iconic Soviet and Latin American revolutionaries, a German army officer, Genghis Khan, a Russian Tsar, a Pathan horseman, and even an Indian Brigadier. Sharif, fluent in English, Arabic, French, Italian, Spanish, and Greek, could effortlessly inhabit any cultural and historical setting. This included his portrayal of the iconic revolutionary Che Guevara in "Che" (though the film was reportedly funded by the CIA), a German officer tracing a psychopathic superior in "The Night of the Generals," the villain Colorado in the Western treasure hunt "Mackenna's Gold" starring Gregory Peck, and a Soviet spy in the Cold War drama "The Tamarind Seed" opposite Julie Andrews.
Born Michel Demetri Chalhoub on April 10, 1932, into a Catholic family of Lebanese and Syrian descent, Sharif decided to pursue a film career after a stint in his father's lumber business. While in London to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, he was offered a starring role in the Egyptian film "Sira Fi al-Wadi" ("The Blazing Sun," 1954) opposite Faten Hamama. He fell in love with her, converted to Islam to marry her, and they had one son, Tarek. They divorced in 1974 due to Sharif's self-imposed exile in Europe.
By the time he landed his major turning point in "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962), Sharif had already made over 20 films. Producer Sam Spiegel and David Lean chose him over a better-known French actor. Sharif himself recalled that he was selected because "I spoke English, had black hair, black eyes and a mustache. It was all luck..." Interestingly, the role of Sherif Ali was initially offered to Dilip Kumar, who declined, while Sharif was slated for the minor role of the killed guide. He became close friends with Peter O'Toole, who, refusing to believe anyone could be "possibly be called Omar Sharif," nicknamed him "Cairo Fred."
His most famous work was the title role of the tormented poet in Lean's 1965 adaptation of Boris Pasternak's "Doctor Zhivago," opposite Julie Christie as Larissa "Lara" Antipova. His son played the young Yuri Zhivago. Sharif did not win any of the five Oscars the film garnered for its epic cinematography and haunting music, especially "Lara's Theme" by Maurice Jarre.
Sharif also tackled the issue of religious tensions in Egypt in the Arabic film "Hassan and Marcus," in which a Christian family and a Muslim family unwittingly become friends during a time of sectarian violence. It was the first film of its kind to directly address religion in Egypt. "When one sees what happens in the world between the religions, the different religions, killing each other and murdering each other, it’s disgusting," he stated. "I thought I might be useful, not that I believe that films change people’s opinions, but I think that if you do things in the way of comedy you get to people more easily than if you do it seriously."
However, his indulgence in gambling led him to lose a fortune, necessitating his performance in many mundane roles to support his family. Some moments in his private life tarnished his reputation. In 2003, he headbutted a policeman in a Paris casino scuffle and was subsequently fined and given a suspended jail term, tactlessly telling the press that assaulting a cop was “the dream of every Frenchman.” Two years later, he struck a parking attendant at a Beverly Hills restaurant. His uncredited cameo as an Indian Brigadier in the super-flop "Inchon" (1981) was a perfect example of his taking on roles purely for financial reasons.
Diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2012, Omar Sharif succumbed to a heart attack in a Cairo hospital on July 10, 2015. This was less than six months after the death of Faten Hamama, the only woman he ever truly loved, he often said.
Best Movies of Omar Sharif
- Doctor Zhivago
Three years after his breakout role in "Lawrence of Arabia," Sharif reunited with David Lean for "Doctor Zhivago," an adaptation of Boris Pasternak's novel. He stood out against an all-star cast and reportedly underwent a rigorous makeup regimen that included skin waxing and hair straightening. This stands as one of the most sensitive character acting performances in film history, with minimal dialogue and his facial expressions largely conveying the story. Rarely has such engrossing, penetrative, and poetic expressions of an actor in romance or contemplation, transcending sublime regions, been witnessed. It showcased shades of genius in conveying messages through sheer movements of body and eyes, epitomizing mastery of underplaying and evoking the soul of the masses at levels rarely transcended in Hollywood history.
- The 13th Warrior
This historical action flick, loosely based on Beowulf, was released in 1999 and unfortunately proved a financial failure, leading Sharif to temporarily quit acting. Upon his return in 2003 with "Monsieur Ibrahim," he stated, “After my small role in The 13th Warrior, I said to myself, 'Let us stop this nonsense, these meal tickets that we do because it pays well.' Bad pictures are very humiliating; I was really sick.”
- Funny Girl
Sharif showcased his prowess as the suave gambler Nick Arnstein, the felonious husband of real-life actress Fanny Brice (played by Barbra Streisand). This was a most nuanced performance, doing great justice to his role.
- Hidalgo
Sharif was outstanding as a foil to Viggo Mortensen. As Sheikh Riyadh, he played a grinning, gap-toothed autocrat who invites the American Frank T. Hopkins, played by Mortensen, to engage in a grueling 3,000-mile horse race through the desert. This partially true story saw Sharif's presence resurrecting "Lawrence of Arabia" glory, albeit with less impact. Those who can overlook its outrageous historical distortions might enjoy this triumph of an underdog against devastating odds.
- Genghis Khan
Sharif enacted the Mongol King and famed warrior alongside Eli Wallach, convincingly portraying the shy Temujin, who, despite not nurturing ambitions as a Mongol boy, later makes a spectacular transformation into a fearless leader.
- The Tamarind Seed
Set during the Cold War, this film starred Julie Andrews as Sharif’s love interest, Judith, an assistant in the British Home Office, while Sharif played a Soviet military attaché vacationing next to Judith in Barbados. This showcased nuanced character acting in romance and in conveying how a man's outlook undergoes change.
- Behold a Pale Horse
Sharif enacted a priest in this 1964 historical film based on the Spanish Civil War, which follows a bandit's journey as he returns to his native Spanish village after 20 years in French exile. Sharif delivered a highly sensitive performance, manifesting compassion, moral conviction, and a high degree of self-introspection.
- The Night of the Generals
Omar Sharif reunited with his "Lawrence of Arabia" co-star Peter O'Toole and music composer Maurice Jarre to deliver a most nuanced performance in Anatole Litvak's "The Night of the Generals." Based on the novel by Hans Hellmut Kirst, Omar played Major Grau, who later gets promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in German military intelligence. He was not only convincing as a German officer but also matched the skills of Peter O'Toole in this World War II murder-mystery. Not even the presence of seasoned performers like Tom Courtenay, Donald Pleasance, and Christopher Plummer could steal the show from the Egyptian icon.
- Lawrence of Arabia
Sharif was never intended to have such a prominent role in one of the greatest films of all time. His acting was so flawless that one couldn't tell it was his first Hollywood film; he matched the acting talents of Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, and O’Toole, who was also making his debut. The scene in which Lawrence (Peter O’Toole) first makes contact with the Arab chieftain Sherif Ali (Sharif), who becomes his key ally in the desert fighting, is iconic. In a daringly protracted sequence, Sharif makes a spectacular transition from a speck on the horizon into a powerful horseman, rifle at the ready.
- Mackenna's Gold
This was one of the most challenging roles Omar Sharif had to play during his career. Pitted against "Behold a Pale Horse" co-star Gregory Peck, Telly Savalas, Eli Wallach, and Lee J. Cobb, Omar played the Mexican outlaw John Colorado, a villain who invited the most intense hatred. In his search for gold, Colorado personified ruthlessness at a boiling point, as he killed without compunction.
- Monsieur Ibrahim
He returned to serious acting by taking the leading role in the 2003 French movie, in which his characterization of an elderly Turkish Muslim shopkeeper secured him a best actor César award, the French equivalent of an Oscar.
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*Freelance journalist
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