Legendary Hollywood actor Omar Sharif, who starred in such cinema classics as “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Doctor Zhivago” and “Funny Girl” died Friday, July 10 following a heart attack in a Cairo hospital. He was 83.
The Egyptian actor born Michel Demitri Chalhoub had a long, storied career that spanned the better part of six decades. During this period he was featured in more than 100 movies and TV series. Certainly a sex symbol in his time, it was Sharif”s role as Sherif Ali in the 1962 Oscar-winning film “Lawrence of Arabia” that catapulted his career. For his work in the film, Sharif won Golden Globes for “Best Supporting Actor” and “Most Promising Newcomer – Male” as well as an Oscar nomination. In 1966, Sharif would also win a Golden Globe for “Best Actor” in “Doctor Zhivago.”
Celebrities, including Vincent D'Onofrio, Dana Delaney and Josh Gad, chimed in on social media to mourn the actor”s death.
Gad wrote, “Sad to hear about #OmarSharif. I grew up on Lawrence and Zhivago. A legacy with not one but multiple timeless classics.”
D'Onofrio tweets, “#OmarSharif will be missed. I have watched this graceful, this wonderful actor since I was a child. I salute him.”
Sharif is survived by a son and two grandchildren.
For more about Sharif”s breakout role in “Lawrence of Arabia,” be sure to check out Alan Sepinwall”s thoughts.