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Lawrence of Arabia star Omar Sharif dies aged 83

Dunya News

Winner of 3 Golden Globe Awards and nominee for his role as Sherif Ali died of Alzheimer's disease

CAIRO: (Web Desk) – Iconic Egyptian actor Omar Sharif has on Friday died of a cardiac attack in a hospital of Cairo, Egypt. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer s disease a few months ago. Omar Sharif had won 3 Golden Globe Awards, one Cesar award and was nominated for Academy Award in 1962 for his role as Sherif Ali in the David Lean’s epic Lawrence of Arabia.

Omar Sharif was born a Catholic Christian named Michel Shalhoub in Alexandria in 1932 but later embraced Islam in 1955 to marry Egyptian actress Faten Hamama.

Sharif started his career as an actor in 1953 Egyptian movie Sira Fi al-Wadi. Being handsome in looks and brilliant as an actor, he rose to stardom within next few years and became one of the most sought after actors in Egypt.

However, Omar Sharif’s big jump was 1962 movie Lawrence of Arabia in which he starred alongside Peter O’Toole. This movie got Omar Sharif a nomination for Academy as Best Supporting Actor and two Golden Globe Awards; one for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and one for New Star of the Year.

In 1965, Sharif got a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his lead role in another classic by David Lean Dr. Zhivago. For the next few years, Sharif was a busy actor. The Nights of the Generals (1967), Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria (1968) and Che Guevera (1969) were some of his excellent performances. He also starred alongside Gregory Peck in 1969 movie Mackenna’s Gold in a negative role and was highly appreciated.

British movie Juggernaut (1974) was yet another brilliant piece of acting and then The Tamarind Seed along with Julie Andrews. He played comic roles in The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976) and Top Secret (1980).

In 1999, Omar Sharif acted along with Antonio Banderas in The 13th Warrior and later got a Cesar Award for his 2003 French-language movie Monsieur Ibrahim.

Earlier this year, Omar’s agent confirmed that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and died today aged 83.

Fans and co-stars mourned his death on Twitter and remembered his performances in various movies. Antonio Banderas thus tweeted:

Dan Saltztein remembered Sharif s iconic entry in the movie Lawrence of Arabia.

Game of Thrones fame Eugene Michael Simon said Sharif brought some extraordinary work to the world.

Direct, actor, producer Adam Horowitz urged people to watch Sharif movies. He especially recommended Lawrence of Arabia, Dr. Zhivago, Funny Girl and Top Secret.

Daniel Sharman said Omar Sharif was one of the greatest and acted in the greatest movie Lawrence of Arabia.

People took pride in telling others that they were somehow related to Sharif or his family, even if they lived in the same town as his family. He was an icon of that level, of course.

Fans have watched his movies for N number of times.

And finally, he is dead. Goodbye Omar Sharif. You were exceptional.

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