Omar Sharif biography

Synopsis

Actor Omar Sharif was born Michal Shalhouz in Alexandria, Egypt on April 10, 1932. He became famous in Egyptian films before becoming internationally known. He received a Golden Globe for his role in 1965’s Doctor Zhivago. His successful career also included the films Lawrence of Arabia, Funny Girl, The Tamarind Seed, and The Mirror Has Two Faces. He published an autobiography, The Eternal Male, in 1977.

Profile

Film actor, born in Alexandria, N Egypt. He made his Egyptian film debut in 1953, becoming a top male star in the country, before attracting international attention for his role in Lawrence of Arabia (1962). Later films include Doctor Zhivago (1965, Golden Globe), Funny Girl (1968), The Tamarind Seed (1974), Return to Eden (1982), The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996), and One Night With the King (2005). He also appeared in the 1996 television production of Gulliver's Travels. He has published an autobiography, The Eternal Male (1977), and is also renowned as a bridge player. In 2003, he received the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion award for his achievement in film.