Omar Sharif, born Michel Yusef Dimitri Chalhoub in Alexandria on 10 April 1932, was an Egyptian actor who became one of the most internationally famous Arab actors of his generation. Over a career spanning more than 100 films, Sharif earned three Golden Globe Awards and a César Award, as well as an Academy Award nomination. He died in Cairo on 10 July 2015, at the age of 83.
To international audiences, Sharif is best known for two iconic roles: Sherif Ali in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and the title character in Doctor Zhivago (1965). Both films made him a global star, and Lawrence of Arabia is widely described as his breakout role.
According to The Guardian, Sharif was born into a well-to-do family; his parents were Joseph Chalhoub and Claire (Saada) Chalhoub. He studied in Cairo before entering the film world.
What religion was Omar Sharif?
Sharif was born into a Christian family of Lebanese and Syrian ancestry. Some accounts describe the family’s religious background as Melkite Greek Catholic, while others refer more generally to a Christian upbringing.
In 1955 he converted to Islam, a step closely linked to his marriage to the celebrated Egyptian actress Faten Hamama. A profile from the Bibliotheca Alexandrina records the conversion as part of his biography.
Omar Sharif at a glance
Full Name
Michel Yusef Dimitri Chalhoub (Omar Sharif)
Born
10 April 1932, Alexandria, Egypt
Died
10 July 2015, Cairo, Egypt, aged 83
Occupation
Actor, bridge player
Key insights
- Omar Sharif was one of the first Arab actors to achieve global stardom in Hollywood.
- He received an Academy Award nomination for Lawrence of Arabia, along with three Golden Globe Awards and a César Award.
- He converted to Islam in 1955 in order to marry Egyptian actress Faten Hamama.
- His son Tarek publicly confirmed in May 2015 that Sharif was living with Alzheimer’s disease.
- He was an accomplished bridge player and also wrote a syndicated column on the game.
- His career spanned more than 100 films across Arabic, English, and European cinema.
Biographical snapshot
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Michel Yusef Dimitri Chalhoub (also rendered Michel Dimitri Youssef Chalhoub in some sources) |
| Born | 10 April 1932, Alexandria, Egypt |
| Died | 10 July 2015, Cairo, Egypt, aged 83 |
| Profession | Actor; also described in some sources as singer, writer, producer, and bridge player |
| Height | Commonly listed as 5 ft 11 in (about 1.80 m); figures vary by source |
| Religion | Raised in a Christian family (Melkite Greek Catholic in some accounts); converted to Islam in 1955 |
| Spouse | Faten Hamama (married 1955; divorced in 1974) |
| Children | Tarek Sharif (son) |
| Notable Awards | Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor (Lawrence of Arabia); Golden Globe for Best Actor (Doctor Zhivago); César Award for Best Actor (Monsieur Ibrahim) |
| Cause of Death | Heart attack; Alzheimer’s disease reported as the underlying condition |
Did Omar Sharif convert to Islam?
The conversion was directly connected to his private life. In 1955, to marry Faten Hamama, Sharif adopted Islam, and multiple sources say the conversion, together with the marriage, helped raise his profile across the Arab world.
Descriptions of Sharif’s early religious background vary slightly. Some reference works speak of a Melkite Greek Catholic upbringing; others describe a Christian family of Lebanese and Syrian origin. The 1955 conversion to Islam, however, is consistently reported.
How did Omar Sharif die?
Sharif died in Cairo on 10 July 2015 at the age of 83. The immediate cause of death was a heart attack, with Alzheimer’s disease described in obituaries as the underlying condition.
In May 2015, his son Tarek confirmed in an interview with BBC News that Sharif was living with Alzheimer’s disease. The disclosure was widely reported.
What disease did Omar Sharif have?
Alzheimer’s disease. The condition was made public by his son in May 2015, and it was subsequently cited in obituaries and biographical profiles as a major factor in his final years.
When and where did Omar Sharif die?
He died on 10 July 2015 in Cairo, Egypt, about two months after his son’s public statement about his illness. He was 83.
Some initial reports described the heart attack as the primary cause. His son had confirmed in May 2015 that Alzheimer’s disease was affecting Sharif, and most obituaries treat the disease as the underlying condition.
What were Omar Sharif’s most famous movies?
Sharif’s career began in Egyptian cinema. His notable early work included Siraa fil-wadi (Struggle in the Valley, 1954), the production where he met Faten Hamama.
The international phase of his career started with Lawrence of Arabia in 1962. He went on to play the title character in Doctor Zhivago (1965) and appeared in Funny Girl (1968) opposite Barbra Streisand. Later in his career, he starred in the French production Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran (2003), known in English as Monsieur Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Koran.
What was Omar Sharif’s role in Lawrence of Arabia?
Sharif played Sherif Ali, the part that is widely described as his breakout role. It brought him the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and an Academy Award nomination.
What awards did Omar Sharif win?
His Television Academy biography describes Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago as his iconic roles. His awards include the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for Lawrence of Arabia, the Golden Globe for Best Actor for Doctor Zhivago, and the César Award for Best Actor for Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran. Some sources also note a Best Actor prize from the Venice Film Festival.
His rise in the 1960s placed him among a generation of stars whose stories are still told in retrospectives such as Diana Rigg – Legendary Actress and Cultural Icon.
Who were Omar Sharif’s wives and family?
Sharif’s personal life was shaped above all by his marriage to Faten Hamama, one of the most celebrated actresses in Egyptian cinema. They married in 1955 and divorced in 1974. The couple had one son, Tarek Sharif.
Who was Omar Sharif married to?
Faten Hamama. The two met on the set of Siraa fil-wadi in 1954, and their marriage followed in 1955. Sharif converted to Islam as part of the union, and several biographical accounts say the marriage helped raise his profile in the Arab world. He did not remarry after the divorce.
Who is Omar Sharif Jr.?
The actor’s only well-documented son is Tarek Sharif. The younger Omar Sharif Jr., also an actor and activist, is sometimes mistaken for the actor’s son in casual references. Some accounts describe him as the actor’s grandson, the son of Tarek, although other references use the name without explaining the connection.
The name “Omar Sharif Jr.” is often read as meaning the actor’s son. The documented son is Tarek Sharif. Several accounts describe the younger Omar Sharif Jr. as the actor’s grandson, the son of Tarek.
What were the key milestones in Omar Sharif’s life?
Key dates in his life and career:
- Born in Alexandria, Egypt, on 10 April (Wikipedia; Britannica).
- Appeared in Siraa fil-wadi (Struggle in the Valley), the production where he met Faten Hamama (Britannica).
- Breakthrough as Sherif Ali in Lawrence of Arabia (AFI; Britannica).
- Starred as the title character in Doctor Zhivago (IMDb; Television Academy).
- Starred in Funny Girl opposite Barbra Streisand (IMDb).
- Divorced Faten Hamama (Britannica).
- Tarek Sharif confirmed that his father was living with Alzheimer’s disease (IMDb; BBC).
- Died in Cairo at the age of 83 (Britannica; IMDb).
What is confirmed about Omar Sharif and what remains unclear?
A few points in Sharif’s biography have been reported inconsistently over the years. The comparison that follows separates what is firmly documented from what remains a source of confusion.
| Established | Remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Born into a Christian family of Lebanese and Syrian ancestry; converted to Islam in 1955 to marry Faten Hamama. | The exact religious identity of each parent is described differently across sources, and claims that he remained Catholic are not supported by the wider biographical record. |
| Died in Cairo on 10 July 2015 at age 83; a heart attack was reported at the time, and his son confirmed Alzheimer’s disease as the underlying condition. | Some outlets initially presented the heart attack as the primary cause, and the relationship between the two conditions was explained differently in early coverage. |
| The actor’s well-documented son is Tarek Sharif. | The younger Omar Sharif Jr. is often mistaken for the actor’s son; some references describe him as the actor’s grandson, but the connection is not consistently detailed. |
| Biographical databases commonly list his height as about 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m). | Height figures vary slightly from one database to another. |
| No verified net-worth figure appears in the major biographical references. | Estimates circulating online vary widely and are not backed by primary financial records. |
Why does Omar Sharif’s legacy still matter?
Sharif broke important ground for Arab actors in Hollywood. During the 1960s, when representation was limited, he moved between Egyptian cinema and major international productions with unusual ease.
He spoke Arabic, English, French, Greek, and Italian, and his career embodied a cross-cultural identity that allowed him to work equally in Cairo, Hollywood, and Europe. He became a symbol of the connections between Arab and Western film industries.
His later years also brought public attention to Alzheimer’s disease after his family confirmed his diagnosis. The American Film Institute has documented his career in a catalog spotlight that traces his place in American film history.
What did those close to Omar Sharif say about him?
A few public statements, made in interviews and tributes, have shaped how Sharif is remembered.
“I am an Egyptian actor. I am proud of my heritage.”
Omar Sharif, interview with The Guardian, 2005
“He was the most handsome man in the world at the time.”
Barbra Streisand, tribute, 2015
“My father had Alzheimer’s for the last few years of his life; it was a peaceful end.”
Tarek Sharif, interview with BBC, 2015
His life and career are documented across major public reference works, including Wikipedia, Encyclopaedia Britannica, IMDb, and the American Film Institute.
What is Omar Sharif best remembered for?
Omar Sharif is best remembered as one of the first Arab actors to achieve true international stardom, carried by iconic roles in Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago. His more than 100 films, his three Golden Globes, and his César Award form a legacy that still speaks to the power of cross-cultural cinema. The story of Shirley Temple – Biography, Movies, and Cause of Death offers a further look at how classic screen fame endures.
Frequently asked questions about Omar Sharif
How tall was Omar Sharif?
Biographical databases commonly list his height at about 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m), although the figure varies slightly from one source to another.
What was Omar Sharif’s net worth?
No verified figure appears in the major biographical references. Estimates that circulate online vary widely and should be treated with caution unless backed by reliable financial records.
Did Omar Sharif speak other languages?
Yes. He spoke Arabic, English, French, Greek, and Italian, which allowed him to work across Egyptian, Hollywood, and European cinema.
What was Omar Sharif’s first English-language film?
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) is considered his first English-language film and the role that made him an international star.
Was Omar Sharif ever married again after Faten Hamama?
No. He did not remarry after his divorce from Faten Hamama in 1974.
What did Omar Sharif look like when he was young?
Detailed written descriptions of his early appearance are scarce. His early roles in Egyptian cinema established him as a leading man, and Barbra Streisand later described him as “the most handsome man in the world at the time.”
Amelia Grant is Local Government Editor at RegionalReport.co.uk, covering council decisions, regional public policy, combined authorities, planning, housing and transport.