Omar Sharif (born April 10, 1932), also known as Omar El-Sharif, is an Egyptian-born actor (of Syrian origins) who has starred in several Hollywood films. He graduated from Cairo's Victoria College with a math and physics major. At first he worked with his father in the lumber business. In 1953 he started his acting career. He married the Egyptian star Faten Hamama, which rocketed his popularity in the Arab World. The marriage ended in 1974.

His first English language film was Lawrence of Arabia in 1962. He also played Dr. Zhivago in the movie by the same name.

Marriages: Faten Hamama (1954 - 1974) (divorced) 1 child (Tarek Sharif )

Filmography

• Hidalgo (2003)
• Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran (2003)
• The 13th Warrior (1999)
• Lie Down With Lions (1999)
• The Mysteries of Egypt (1998)
• Funny Girl/Funny Lady (1997)
• Heaven Before I Die (1997)
• Lebanon - Imprisoned Splendour (1997)
• The Possessed (1996)
• Catherine the Great (1995)
• Beyond Justice (1992)
• Grand Larceny (1992)
• Mayrig (1992)
• Memories of Midnight (1991)
• The Baltimore Bullet (1990)
• The Opium Connection (1990)
• (1989)
• Peter the Great (1986)
• Top Secret! (1984)
• Green Ice (1981)
• Oh! Heavenly Dog (1980)
• Pleasure Palace (1980)
• Bloodline (1979)
• S-H-E (1979)
• Crime and Passion (1975)
• Funny Lady (1975)
• Juggernaut (1974)
• The Tamarind Seed (1974)
• The Horsemen (1971)
• The Last Valley (1971)
• Che! (1969)
• Mackenna's Gold (1969)
• Funny Girl (1968)
• Mayerling (1968)
• Night of the Generals (1967)
• Doctor Zhivago (1965)
• The Yellow Rolls-Royce (1965)
• Genghis Khan (1965)
• Behold a Pale Horse (1964)
• The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
• Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Bridge

Sharif is also one of the world's best known contract bridge players. He writes a syndicated newspaper bridge column, and there is even a bridge computer game and tutorial that carries his name. Sharif is also a regular in casinos in France, where he once assaulted a casino employee after losing thousands of dollars on a single roulette bet.

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