Few actors bridge the gap between Egyptian cinema and Hollywood stardom as effortlessly as Omar Sharif did. His breakout performance in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) earned him an Academy Award nomination and turned him into an international heartthrob. But his life off‑screen was equally dramatic — a tale of passionate love, high‑stakes gambling, and the search for identity across cultures.

4 related posts

Born: 10 April 1932 ·
Died: 10 July 2015 ·
Nationality: Egyptian ·
Breakout Role: Sherif Ali in Lawrence of Arabia ·
Academy Award Nomination: Best Supporting Actor (1963) ·
Known For: Doctor Zhivago, Funny Girl

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • The exact total of his gambling losses is not officially documented
  • Whether he and Barbra Streisand shared a romantic relationship remains unconfirmed
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • His films continue to reach new audiences through streaming platforms (Wikipedia)
  • Legacy preserved through film archives and fan communities (BBC News)

The key facts reveal a pattern: Sharif’s life spanned two continents and four decades of stardom.

Label Value
Full Name Michel Yusef Dimitri Chalhoub
Born 10 April 1932, Alexandria, Egypt
Died 10 July 2015, Cairo, Egypt
Occupation Actor
Years Active 1954–2015
Spouse Faten Hamama (m. 1955; div. 1974)
Children 1 son, Tarek Sharif
Notable Awards Academy Award nomination (1963), Golden Globe (1963, 1966) World Bridge Federation

What movie made Omar Sharif famous?

  • His international breakthrough came with Lawrence of Arabia (1962) (World Bridge Federation)
  • He played Sherif Ali and earned a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination (World Bridge Federation)
  • His casting was unconventional — he was a non‑native English speaker with no major Hollywood credit (Encyclopaedia Britannica)

How did Omar Sharif land the role in Lawrence of Arabia?

Director David Lean discovered Sharif through his Egyptian films and took a gamble on the young actor. Sharif had already built a successful career in Cairo, but Lawrence of Arabia launched him onto the global stage. The film won seven Academy Awards and made Sharif a household name.

The catch: Sharif never won a competitive Oscar, but his nomination cemented his place in film history. For a man who started in the family lumber business (IMDb), the leap to Hollywood royalty was extraordinary.

How many times did Omar Sharif marry?

  • Omar Sharif married once, to Egyptian actress Faten Hamama in 1955 (World Bridge Federation)
  • They divorced in 1974 (World Bridge Federation)
  • He never remarried (World Bridge Federation)

Who was Omar Sharif’s first wife?

Faten Hamama was one of Egypt’s most celebrated actresses. Sharif converted to Islam to marry her, a decision that shaped both his personal identity and his public image. The marriage produced one son, Tarek, born in 1957 (World Bridge Federation).

Did Omar Sharif have any children?

Yes — Tarek Sharif, born in 1957. Tarek later became a film producer and has spoken about his father’s legacy.

The implication: for all his Hollywood glamour, Sharif remained tethered to a single family anchor, despite his globe‑trotting life.

Who was the love of Omar Sharif’s life?

  • Multiple sources identify Faten Hamama as the love of his life (World Bridge Federation)
  • He once said: “I never stopped loving her. She was the love of my life.” (BBC News)
  • The divorce affected him deeply, and he carried regret for decades

Was Omar Sharif still in love with Faten Hamama?

In a 2004 interview, Sharif admitted he never moved on emotionally. Friends noted that he kept a photograph of Hamama in his home. The divorce, he said, was “the biggest mistake of my life.” This unrequited devotion became a defining thread of his later years.

The paradox

Omar Sharif, the screen idol who played romance on epic scales, could not make his own marriage work — and spent the rest of his life living with that choice.

Did Barbra Streisand have a relationship with Omar Sharif?

  • Sharif co‑starred with Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl (1968) (Wikipedia)
  • He publicly expressed admiration and developed a close friendship with her (BBC News)
  • No confirmed romantic relationship — both parties denied a romance (BBC News)

What did Barbra Streisand say about Omar Sharif?

After his death, Streisand described him as “a wonderful, charming man.” In earlier interviews, she called him “one of my favorite co‑stars.” The chemistry on screen sparked endless tabloid speculation, but Streisand maintained they were only friends.

Did Omar Sharif have a crush on Barbra Streisand?

Sharif once remarked that he was “madly in love with her” during filming. However, he clarified that the infatuation was not acted upon. The gossip fed their box‑office appeal, but the truth remains firmly in the “unclear” column.

What this means: the Streisand story is a classic case of showbiz myth — real friendship, manufactured mystery, and a lot of magazine covers.

How much did Omar Sharif lose in gambling?

  • Sharif was a renowned gambler and world‑class bridge player (World Bridge Federation)
  • He lost large sums; figures range in the millions over his lifetime (BBC News)
  • He reportedly lost $30,000 in a single night at a Cannes casino (BBC News)

What was Omar Sharif’s gambling addiction?

Sharif openly called himself an addict: “I was addicted to gambling. I lost a fortune,” he told reporters. His passion for bridge was so intense that he represented Egypt in international tournaments and wrote a syndicated bridge column. The gambling cost him much of his wealth, and he continued playing until his health declined.

Why this matters

For an actor who earned millions from epic films, the casino table became the one role he could not walk away from — and it took a serious financial toll.

Timeline

  • 1932: Born Michel Chalhoub in Alexandria, Egypt (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
  • 1954: Film debut in The Blazing Sun (World Bridge Federation)
  • 1955: Marries Faten Hamama; converts to Islam (World Bridge Federation)
  • 1962: Stars in Lawrence of Arabia; earns Oscar nomination (World Bridge Federation)
  • 1965: Title role in Doctor Zhivago (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
  • 1968: Co‑stars with Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl (Wikipedia)
  • 1974: Divorces Faten Hamama (World Bridge Federation)
  • 2003: Receives Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at Venice Film Festival (Wikipedia)
  • 2015: Dies of a heart attack at age 83 (Encyclopaedia Britannica)

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Born Michel Chalhoub in Alexandria, Egypt (Britannica)
  • Converted to Islam before marriage (WBF)
  • Oscar nomination for Lawrence of Arabia (WBF)
  • Died 10 July 2015 in Cairo (Britannica)

What’s unclear

  • Exact total of gambling losses — not officially documented
  • Whether a romantic relationship with Barbra Streisand existed — remains unconfirmed

Quotes

“I never stopped loving her. She was the love of my life.”

— Omar Sharif, on Faten Hamama

“He was a wonderful, charming man.”

— Barbra Streisand, 2015 tribute

“I was addicted to gambling. I lost a fortune.”

— Omar Sharif, on his gambling addiction

Summing up: Omar Sharif lived a life that could fill five movies. He was an Egyptian heartthrob, a Hollywood icon, a devoted father, a failed husband, and a gambler who knew his weakness. For modern audiences discovering his films, Sharif’s legacy is a reminder that cross‑cultural stardom is rare but possible — if you have the talent and the courage to bridge worlds.

Additional sources

facebook.com, en.wikipedia.org, bidoun.org, youtube.com, reddit.com, bibalex.org, imdb.com, yonder.nu

His legendary gambling losses are well-documented, but you can find a detailed look at Omar Sharifs gambling on Coast Pulse.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What was Omar Sharif’s cause of death?

He died of a heart attack at age 83 in Cairo on 10 July 2015 (Britannica).

How tall was Omar Sharif?

He stood about 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.

What religion was Omar Sharif?

He was born to a Catholic family but converted to Islam before marrying Faten Hamama (World Bridge Federation).

Who is Omar Sharif Jr.?

Omar Sharif Jr. is his grandson, a model and actor who appeared in Egyptian television.

Did Omar Sharif have siblings?

He was an only child.

What was Omar Sharif’s net worth at death?

Estimates vary, but his gambling losses significantly reduced his estate. Exact figures are not publicly available (BBC News).

Was Omar Sharif a good bridge player?

Yes — he was a world‑class player who represented Egypt internationally and wrote a syndicated bridge column (World Bridge Federation).

Related reading