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Omar Sharif

Born in Alexandria, Egypt on April 10, 1932, Omar Sharif is a prolific actor admired for his brooding, exotic good looks. Of Lebanese and Syrian descent, Sharif is fluent and has acted in Arabic, French, and English. His first role was in the Egyptian film Siraa Fil- Wadi (The Blazing Sun) in 1953, and since then he has been cast in well over a hundred films in Hollywood and abroad. Sharif is best known for his roles in Funny Girl (1968), Doctor Zhivago (1965), and Lawrence of Arabia (1962), for which he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Sherif Ali. The part, Sharif's first in English, brought him worldwide recognition. Recently, he starred alongside Viggo Mortensen in Hidalgo (2004). In 2005, Sharif was honored by the United Nations' Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for his vital contribution to world film and cultural diversity. Sharif is currently cast as Prince Memucan next to screen veteran Peter O'Toole in One Night with the King (2006).

Note: This profile was written in or before 2007.
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Omar Sharif Facts

Birth NameMichael Shalhoub
OccupationActor
BirthdayApril 10, 1932 (91)
SignAries
BirthplaceAlexandria, Egypt
Height5' 11" (1m80)  How tall is Omar Sharif compared to you?
Awards1966 Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama (for Dr. Zhivago)
1963 Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture (for Lawrence of Arabia)

Selected Filmography

Lawrence Of Arabia
Hidalgo
Shaka Zulu
The 13th Warrior
Doctor Zhivago
Funny Girl
One Night with the King
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