Omar Sharif

Omar Sharif
Name	Omar Sharif
Birth name	Michel Dimitri Chalhoub
Birth date	April 10, 1932
Birth place	Alexandria, Kingdom of Egypt
Death date	July 10, 2015
Death place	Cairo, Egypt
Occupation	Actor, bridge player, author
Years active	1954–2015

Omar Sharif was an Egyptian actor and contract bridge personality who achieved international stardom in the mid-20th century. Born in Alexandria, he became a leading figure in Egyptian cinema before gaining worldwide fame through roles in major Hollywood and European productions, while later building a public profile as a champion bridge player and author.

Early life and education

Born Michel Dimitri Chalhoub in Alexandria, he was raised in a Lebanese Christian family in the cosmopolitan milieu of Alexandria and attended local schools influenced by Egyptian nationalism, British presence in Egypt, and Mediterranean commerce. He studied at the Collège Saint Marc and then at the University of Cairo where he read mathematics and physics at the University of Alexandria before moving into acting; his formative years overlapped with leaders and events such as King Farouk and the Free Officers Movement that reshaped contemporary Egypt. Early exposure to Egyptian cinema studios like Studio Misr and cultural institutions including the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria helped shape his multilingual fluency in Arabic, French, and English, which later aided engagements with directors across Europe and North America.

Acting career

He began his screen career in Egyptian films produced by companies such as Studio Misr and worked with directors from the Egyptian film industry and playwrights influenced by Tewfik Hakim and Taha Hussein. His breakout in Egyptian cinema led to collaborations with prominent regional figures including Youssef Chahine and performances in adaptations of works by Naguib Mahfouz. Transitioning to international cinema, he signed with producers and directors linked to studios like MGM, Paramount Pictures, and United Artists, and worked under filmmakers such as David Lean, John Huston, and Frank Lloyd. He acted alongside stars including Audrey Hepburn, Julie Christie, Richard Burton, and Elizabeth Taylor during a career spanning film, television, and stage, and appeared at festivals such as the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival.

Major film roles and acclaim

His international breakthrough came with a leading role in David Lean's adaptation of Lawrence of Arabia, a film co-starring Peter O'Toole and produced during a period when epic cinema such as Ben-Hur and Cleopatra dominated studios. He later starred opposite Audrey Hepburn in Doctor Zhivago, directed by David Lean from the novel by Boris Pasternak, which earned awards and nominations from institutions including the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and BAFTA. Other significant films include work with directors like John Frankenheimer, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, and William Wyler and appearances in productions alongside actors such as Romy Schneider and Yves Montand. His performances were recognized by bodies including the César Awards and the London Film Critics' Circle, and his screen persona contributed to cinematic portrayals of the Middle East in Western film, intersecting with debates about orientalism and casting practices in Hollywood.

Personal life and public image

He married into a family connected with Egyptian cultural circles and became a public figure often associated with cosmopolitan images of Cairo and Alexandria; his private life intersected with international celebrities including members of the European film scene and socialites linked to Paris. He converted religions in connection with marriage, an event that drew attention from clergy such as hierarchs of the Greek Orthodox Church and observers from Al-Azhar University. His image was shaped by publicity from agencies like United Artists and coverage in periodicals including Time (magazine), Life (magazine), Paris Match, and The New York Times, while photographers from Magnum Photos and fashion houses in Milan and Paris captured his style. Political events such as the Suez Crisis and the reign of Gamal Abdel Nasser formed part of the backdrop to his public standing in the Arab world and in Western media.

Bridge career and writing

An accomplished contract bridge player, he became associated with tournament circuits run by organizations including the American Contract Bridge League and the World Bridge Federation. He partnered with and competed against leading players and teams from countries such as France, Italy, and the United States, and appeared in televised events alongside commentators from BBC and NBC. He authored or co-authored books and columns on bridge that were published in outlets like The Sunday Times and in specialist publishers associated with the game, and collaborated with experts from clubs such as the Cavendish Club and the Bridge World Magazine. His contributions included promotion of youth programs and participation in celebrity matches alongside figures from Hollywood and European politics.

Health, later years, and death

In later life he faced health challenges, including cardiovascular concerns and a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease that was publicly disclosed by his family, prompting coverage in outlets such as BBC News, The Guardian, and The Washington Post. He divided his time between residences in Cairo and Montreal, and maintained friendships with artists, directors, and bridge players across Europe and North America. He died in Cairo in 2015, after which tributes were paid by institutions including film festivals in Cannes and Venice, film bodies such as the Egyptian National Film Center, and cultural figures from Arab cinema and international film communities.

Category:1932 births Category:2015 deaths Category:Egyptian male film actors Category:People from Alexandria