--- name: "Omar Sharif" canonical: "https://film.one/person/omar-sharif" fi1m_id: "omar-sharif" imdb_id: "nm0001725" tmdb_id: 5004 wikidata_id: "Q170515" roles: ["Actor"] born: "10 April 1932" died: "10 July 2015" reviewed_on_fi1m: 6 average_fi1m_score: 70 average_as: "actor" average_over: 6 updated: "2026-10-07T12:20:34.512404+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Omar Sharif ## Identity Omar Sharif - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/omar-sharif - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** omar-sharif - **IMDb ID:** nm0001725 - **TMDB ID:** 5004 - **Wikidata ID:** Q170515 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omar_Sharif, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q170515, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001725/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5004 Actor. Born 10 April 1932 in Alexandria, Egypt. Died 10 July 2015. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 10 April 1932, Alexandria, Egypt - **Died:** 10 July 2015 - **Active:** 1962–2008 - **Also known as:** Омар Шариф, Michel Dimitri Chalhoub, عمر الشريف, Omar El Sherif, عمر شریف - **Frequently works with:** [Alec Guinness](https://film.one/person/alec-guinness.md), [David Lean](https://film.one/person/david-lean.md), [Peter O'Toole](https://film.one/person/peter-otoole.md), [Robert Bolt](https://film.one/person/robert-bolt.md) - **Golden Globes:** 3 Golden Globes (3 won) - **Average Fi1m score:** 70, as actor, over 6 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 77 (3), 1980s 76 (1), 1990s 73 (1), 2000s 40 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 69 to 66 across 5 titles - **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 2 of 6 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 4, Adventure 2, Comedy 2, Romance 2, War 2, Action 1 - **Screen time:** 13 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $531m across 5 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omar_Sharif, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q170515, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001725/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5004 ## Streaming the US now - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Funny Girl*](https://film.one/film/funny-girl.md) (70), [*10,000 BC*](https://film.one/film/10-000-bc.md) (40) - **Netflix:** [*Lawrence of Arabia*](https://film.one/film/lawrence-of-arabia.md) (90) - **Peacock:** [*Gulliver's Travels*](https://film.one/tv/gullivers-travels.md) (73) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Omar Sharif > Omar Sharif could hold our attention beside Peter O’Toole without matching his flamboyance. We value that restraint, and the romantic warmth, though his films did not always give him enough to do. A man approaches across the desert, and the film makes us wait for him. By the time Omar Sharif’s Sherif Ali arrives in *Lawrence of Arabia* (1962), we are already watching him closely. Young’s desert photography keeps him distant, while editor Anne V. Coates lets the approach run long enough for waiting to become absorbing. We were transfixed by how little the image needed: a figure, a horizon and time. David Lean then gives Sharif something more useful than a grand entrance: room to remain distinct from Peter O’Toole. Beside O’Toole’s flamboyance, Sharif makes no effort to compete, and Sherif Ali feels like a person with his own reasons for being there. Even the formal dialogue cannot reduce him to someone whose only job is to listen to Lawrence. This is where we rate Sharif most highly, holding his place in a large-scale film without insisting that every exchange belong to him. His work with Youssef Chahine in Egyptian cinema in the mid-1950s preceded the international breakthrough with Lean. *Doctor Zhivago* (1965) followed, with Sharif in the title role, and it exposed the risk in that inward-looking manner: some critics found him passive. We would not mistake every quiet performance for subtle acting, though *Lawrence of Arabia* gives ample reason not to demand a more demonstrative one. *Funny Girl* (1968) cast him as Nick Arnstein opposite Barbra Streisand, another use for his romantic appeal. Hollywood nevertheless struggled to find parts that used him fully. The later career is too uneven for us to recommend a film on the strength of his name alone. *Monsieur Ibrahim* (2003) brought renewed acclaim in a French-language drama, with Sharif playing a wise, paternal figure. The paternal part offered another use for the warmth that had served his romantic leads. Start with *Lawrence of Arabia*, on a screen large enough for that distant figure to hold our attention. ## Biography Omar Sharif was an Egyptian actor. Born Michel Dimitri Chalhoub on 10 April 1932 in Alexandria, he was educated at Victoria College in Alexandria and obtained a degree in mathematics and physics from Cairo University. He began his career in Egyptian cinema in the early 1950s, appearing opposite Faten Hamama in *Struggle in the Valley* (1954). He converted to Islam to marry her. Sharif gained international recognition for his role as Sherif Ali in *Lawrence of Arabia* (1962), directed by David Lean, and later played the title role in *Doctor Zhivago* (1965). He died on 10 July 2015 in Cairo. *Sources: imdb.com, britannica.com, en.wikipedia.org, theguardian.com.* ## On Fi1m (6) - *10,000 BC* (2008), Fi1m 40, as Narrator (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/10-000-bc.md) - *Gulliver's Travels* (1996), Fi1m 73, as Sorcerer — [page](https://film.one/tv/gullivers-travels.md) - *Top Secret!* (1984), Fi1m 76, as Agent Cedric — [page](https://film.one/film/top-secret.md) - *Funny Girl* (1968), Fi1m 70, as Nick Arnstein — [page](https://film.one/film/funny-girl.md) - *Doctor Zhivago* (1965), Fi1m 70, as Dr. Yuri Zhivago — [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-zhivago.md) - *Lawrence of Arabia* (1962), Fi1m 90, as Sherif Ali — [page](https://film.one/film/lawrence-of-arabia.md) ## Complete filmography (121) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham* (2015), as Grandfather - *A Castle in Italy* (2013), as Omar Sharif - *Rock the Casbah* (2013), as Moulay Hassan - *2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift* (2010), as (archive footage) - *I Forgot to Tell You* (2010), as Jaume - *The Traveller* (2009), as Hassan - *The Last Templar* (2009), series, as Konstantine - *Hassan and Marcus* (2008), as Murqus Abdulshahid / Mahmood Saifuddin - *10,000 BC* (2008), as Narrator (voice) — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/10-000-bc.md) - *Hanan W Haneen* (2007), series, Actor - *One Night with the King* (2006), as Prince Memucan - *Kronprinz Rudolf* (2006), series, as Hans Canon - *The Ten Commandments* (2006), series, as Jethro - *Fire at My Heart* (2006), as Principe Nicola - *The Coptic Museum* (2006), as Narrator - *St. Peter* (2005), as San Pietro - *St. Peter* (2005), series, as Pietro - *Going Public* (2005), as Mahmout Aziz - *Shaka Zulu: The Citadel* (2005), as The King - *Hidalgo* (2004), as Sheikh Riyadh - *Monsieur Ibrahim* (2003), as Monsieur Ibrahim - *Pyramid* (2002), as Nakht (voice) - *The Parole Officer* (2001), as Victor - *The 13th Warrior* (1999), as Melchisidek - *Cleopatra's Palace: In Search of a Legend* (1999), as Narrator - *Mysteries of Egypt* (1998), as Grandfather - *Heaven Before I Die* (1997), as Khalil Gibran - *Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Egypt* (1996), as Narrator - *Catherine the Great* (1996), as Razumovsky - *Gulliver's Travels* (1996), series, as Sorcerer — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/gullivers-travels.md) - *Doctor Zhivago: The Making of a Russian Epic* (1995), as Narrator (voice) - *Lie Down with Lions* (1994), as Safar Khan - *The Rainbow Thief* (1994), as Dima - *Laughter, Joy, Work and Love* (1993), as Adham's father - *Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris* (1992), as Marquis Hippolite - *Beyond Justice* (1992), as Emir Beni-Zair - *Heavenly Sin* (1992), as Tsai Mang Hua - *588 rue Paradis* (1992), as Hagop Zakarian - *Citizen Masrey* (1991), as Mayor Abdel Razek El-Shershaby - *Mother* (1991), as Hagop Zakarian - *Memories of Midnight* (1991), series, as Constantin Demiris - *The Law of the Desert* (1991), series, as Emir Beni-Zair - *Journey of Love* (1990), as Rico - *Mountains of the Moon* (1990), as Arab Chief in Cairo (uncredited) - *The Puppeteer* (1989), as Mohamed Gad Al-Karim - *The Possessed* (1988), as Stepan Trofimovich Verkhovensky - *Paradise Calling* (1988), as Alex - *Keys to Freedom* (1988), as Jonathan - *Grand Larceny* (1987), as Rashid Saud - *Anastasia - The Mystery of Anna* (1986), series, as Czar Nicholas II - *Harem* (1986), as Sultan Hassan - *Harem* (1986), series, as Sultan Hassan - *Peter the Great* (1986), series, as Prince Feodor Romodanovsky - *The Mind of David Berglas* (1985), series, Actor - *Vicious Circle* (1985), as Garcin - *Top Secret!* (1984), as Agent Cedric — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/top-secret.md) - *The Far Pavilions* (1984), series, as Koda Dad - *La Martingale* (1983), as Alex Joski - *Ayoub* (1983), as Ayoub/Abdul Hamid Al-Sukkari - *Green Ice* (1981), as Meno Argenti - *Inchon* (1981), as Indian Brigadier - *Pleasure Palace* (1980), as Louie Lefevre - *Oh! Heavenly Dog* (1980), as Bart - *The Baltimore Bullet* (1980), as The Deacon - *S+H+E: Security Hazards Expert* (1980), as Baron Cesare Magnasco - *Bloodline* (1979), as Ivo Palazzi - *Ashanti* (1979), as Prince Hassan - *The Pink Panther Strikes Again* (1976), as Egyptian Assassin (uncredited) - *Crime and Passion* (1976), as Andre Ferren - *Funny Lady* (1975), as Nick Arnstein - *Juggernaut* (1974), as Captain Alex Brunel - *The Tamarind Seed* (1974), as Feodor Sverdlov - *Mysterious Island* (1973), series, as Captain Nemo - *The Mysterious Island* (1973), as Captain Nemo - *The Right to Love* (1972), as Pierre - *The Burglars* (1971), as Abel Zacharia - *The Horsemen* (1971), as Uraz - *The Last Valley* (1971), as Vogel - *Che!* (1969), as Che Guevara - *The Appointment* (1969), as Federico Fendi - *Mackenna's Gold* (1969), as Colorado - *أنف وثلاث عيون* (1969), series, as د. هاشم - *الحب الضائع* (1969), series, as عمر - *Mayerling* (1968), as Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria - *Funny Girl* (1968), as Nick Arnstein — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/funny-girl.md) - *This is Streisand* (1968), Actor - *More Than a Miracle* (1967), as Prince Rodrigo Fernandez - *The Night of the Generals* (1967), as Major Grau - *The Poppy Is Also a Flower* (1966), as Dr. Rad - *Doctor Zhivago* (1965), as Dr. Yuri Zhivago — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-zhivago.md) - *The Mamluks* (1965), as Ahmed - *Marco the Magnificent* (1965), as Sheik Alla Hou - *Genghis Khan* (1965), as Genghis Khan / Temujin - *The Car That Became a Star* (1965), as Davich (archive footage) - *The Yellow Rolls-Royce* (1964), as Davich - *Behold a Pale Horse* (1964), as Francisco - *The Fall of the Roman Empire* (1964), as Sohamus - *Lawrence of Arabia* (1962), as Sherif Ali — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/film/lawrence-of-arabia.md) - *A Man in Our House* (1961), as إبراهيم حمدي - *Gharam Al-Asyad* (1961), as Essam Mourad - *Eshaet Hob* (1960), as Hussein - *The River of Love* (1960), as خالد - *The Beginning and the End* (1960), as Hassanein - *My Only Love* (1960), as Adel - *Agony of Love* (1960), as Hasan - *Conflict in the Nile* (1959), as محسّب - *Goha* (1959), as Goha - *For the Sake of a Woman* (1959), as شكري زدحمد - *Scandal in Zamalek* (1959), as أحمد - *We the Students* (1959), as عادل - *Rendezvous with a Stranger* (1959), as Magdi - *Sayedat el kasr* (1958), as Adel - *Ghaltet Habibi* (1958), as Salah - *Beach of Secrets* (1958), as Mamduh Ezzat - *Sleepless* (1957), as Aziz - *Land of Peace* (1957), as Ahmed - *The Lebanese Mission* (1956), as Mokrir - *Struggle in the Harbor* (1956), as Ragab - *Our Best Days* (1955), as أحمد - *The Devil of the Desert* (1954), as Essam - *The Blazing Sun* (1954), as Ahmed أحمد ## Gallery - ![Omar Sharif](https://film.one/media/person/59337/gallery-4cca7340d495.jpg) Omar Sharif — Photographer-Gene Weber, Seattle, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Omar_Sharif_1963.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Stern und Handabdruck von Omar Sharif im Straßenpflaster vor dem Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) (2013)](https://film.one/media/person/59337/gallery-c8ffaaeff71a.jpg) Stern und Handabdruck von Omar Sharif im Straßenpflaster vor dem Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) (2013) — Hajotthu, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/5_Festival_Internacional_de_Cine_a.jpg/1280px-5_Festival_Internacional_de_Cine_a.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Producer and Director Ahmed Salim with actor Omar Sharif on the set of '1001 Inventions and the World Of Ibn Al-Haytham'. (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/59337/gallery-1d5bb136c1d9.jpg) Producer and Director Ahmed Salim with actor Omar Sharif on the set of '1001 Inventions and the World Of Ibn Al-Haytham'. (2015) — Drhbc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Ahmed_Salim_and_Omar_Sharif.jpg/1280px-Ahmed_Salim_and_Omar_Sharif.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Ceduľa Artist´s Mission Award (Hercova misia) na MFF Art Film pripevnená na starom moste slávy v Trenčianských Tepliciach. (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/59337/gallery-a61230370064.jpg) Ceduľa Artist´s Mission Award (Hercova misia) na MFF Art Film pripevnená na starom moste slávy v Trenčianských Tepliciach. (2024) — Pilifo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Art_Film_Fest_%282008%29_%E2%80%93_Omar_Sharif.jpg/1280px-Art_Film_Fest_%282008%29_%E2%80%93_Omar_Sharif.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Omar Sharif](https://film.one/media/person/59337/gallery-10b1bb67c5a0.jpg) Omar Sharif — Image via TMDB - ![Omar Sharif](https://film.one/media/person/59337/gallery-0d2a6a3a7237.jpg) Omar Sharif — Image via TMDB - ![Omar Sharif](https://film.one/media/person/59337/gallery-33d6b77538d3.jpg) Omar Sharif — Image via TMDB - !["Lawrence of Arabia" (1962)](https://film.one/media/person/59337/gallery-19284d020def.jpg) "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962) — 映画評論社, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Eiga-Hyoron-1964-March-1.jpg/1280px-Eiga-Hyoron-1964-March-1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Película francesa 1972](https://film.one/media/person/59337/gallery-c341e892dd34.jpg) Película francesa 1972 — Marc7000, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Film_1972.jpg/1280px-Film_1972.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Omar Sharif](https://film.one/media/person/59337/gallery-2e22a2ba4c79.jpg) Omar Sharif — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - 1963: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Lawrence of Arabia* ### Golden Globes — 3 won - 1966: Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama (won), for *Doctor Zhivago* - 1963: Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture (won), for *Lawrence of Arabia* - 1963: New Star of the Year – Actor (won) ### Venice Film Festival — 1 won - 2003: Lifetime Achievement (won) ### Other awards — 1 won - César Award for Best Actor 2004: César Award for Best Actor (won), for *Monsieur Ibrahim* *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/omar-sharif