By Staff writer, Al Arabiya News
Friday, 10 July 2015
Omar al-Sharif, an international Egyptian actor, passed away on Friday at the age of 83, Al Arabiya News Channel’s correspondent reported.
Sharif’s grandson reportedly posted a picture on his Facebook account a while ago with a message of condolence in Arabic.
Famed Egyptian actress Yusra told the local Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper that she spoke to Sharif's son to verify news of his father’s death.
She expressed her sadness over Sharif's demise, saying it was a "big loss."
His films include Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Doctor Zhivago (1965) and Funny Girl (1968). He has been nominated for an Academy Award and has won three Golden Globe Awards.
Omar Sharif was in many films both in the Arabic and English languages (possibly also French but I'm not sure about that). What was your favourite film that he appeared in? Which, for you, was his best portrayed character?
Re: Omar Sharif passed away
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 3:43 pm
by Mad Dilys
R.I.P. Omar.
I'll always remember him for Dr Zhivago and Laurence of Arabia - I'm torn between the two as to which was best.
Re: Omar Sharif passed away
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 3:47 pm
by HEPZIBAH
I remember staying in a house in Luxor a few years back and there was a Omar Sharif film season showing on the TV during that period. Alas, I only ever got to see clips or short pieces of the films. I would have loved to see a film all the way through so that I got chance to pick up more on the story line - there were no subtitles so I really did have to depend on the visual impact.
HEPZIBAH wrote:Omar Sharif was in many films both in the Arabic and English languages (possibly also French but I'm not sure about that). What was your favourite film that he appeared in? Which, for you, was his best portrayed character?
I can't ever remember seeing him in any other film other than Dr Zhivago.
It was one of my mum and dad's favourite films!Along with "The Godfather."
I don't recall much seeing "romantic interludes"between my mum and dad.God,they fought like cat and dog!!
But these were the two great "classics"that they watched together.They both loved the music through them,"Lara's theme",etc.
I think my dad saw in the film a culture he was familiar with..even though he was born in UK of Lithuanian descent.My mum loved the romanticism of being married to someone familiar with that very same culture.
RIP Omar Sharif..you gave me insight into how much my mum and dad loved each other..even though it was not always obvious!
Re: Omar Sharif passed away
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 12:22 am
by Winged Isis
Vale Michel Shalhoub/Omar Sharif.
Peter O'Toole, his Lawrence of Arabia co-star thought that studio name was ridiculous, and insisted on calling him Fred. They became great friends.
My favourite was Doctor Zhivago. he could express so much just through his eyes, apart from the rest of his acting skills. He later said it almost drove him to a nervous breakdown, due to daily waxing of his face and hair straitening to disguise his Arab looks.
One of cinema's best moments was in Lawrence of Arabia, arriving on a camel, both dressed all in black, out of the shimmering heat haze, a tiny unidentifiable dot on the horizon in a massive clear blue sky, slowly getting closer. You could really feel the heat, and the suspense as to what was the dot was great.
Much more effective on the huge cinema screen, of course. He said he never understood its success, as it was just actors riding camels from one side of the screen to the other!
I have seen him as an even younger man in a number of Egyptian films, with occasional subtitles provided by my husband, but as with many Egyptian films, generally easily followed. His talent was obvious even then.
He was also a top-level champion bridge player.
PS: Thanks for that trip down memory lane, Bennu. Lovely!
Re: Omar Sharif passed away
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 12:43 am
by Bombay
Barbra Streisand made a statement on Omar's death:
"Omar was my first leading man in the movies. He was handsome, sophisticated and charming," Barbra Streisand tells PEOPLE. "He was a proud Egyptian and in some people's eyes, the idea of casting him in Funny Girl was considered controversial. Yet somehow, under the direction of William Wyler, the romantic chemistry between Nicky Arnstein and Fanny Brice transcended stereotypes and prejudice. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Omar, and I'm profoundly sad to hear of his passing."
( 
Nice..