Why Omar Sharif Accepted Smaller Roles Later in His Career
On the ninth anniversary of his death, artistic circles are remembering international star Omar Sharif, who passed away on July 10, 2015, in Cairo at the age of 83. He suffered from Alzheimer’s disease before his passing, and his son said at the time that his father “no longer remembers his films.”
Omar Sharif is the only Arab actor to achieve international stardom, starting with his starring role in “Lawrence of Arabia” with director David Lean. He followed this success with films like “Doctor Zhivago,” “The Yellow Rolls Royce,” “Tamarind Seed,” and “Funny Girl,” co-starring with some of the world’s biggest movie stars.
Al Sharif played important roles (archive)
Despite his success in leading roles, Sharif was not afraid to take on supporting roles. His career wasn’t limited to these smaller parts, though, as he returned to leading roles in films like the French film “Mr. Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Qur’an” (2003), for which he won the French “César” award.
Sharif himself explained his approach to acting in a 1985 television program, saying: “I no longer find good roles in cinema. I no longer have confidence in my work, and I am now living in an age stage where neither young men’s roles nor old men’s roles are suitable. But I do not see a problem in playing supporting roles if I like the work and the role is suitable for me.”
Omar Sharif in a scene from “Hassan and Marcus” (Production Company)
Known for his honesty, Sharif also said that “living obligations pushed him to continue working and presenting small roles.” He spent long periods in Paris, and when he felt isolated, he would return to Egypt. The noise and commotion of his friends would eventually drive him back to France. Sharif revealed that he “received large sums of money in exchange for presenting work that he described as easy.”
His close friend, Egyptian archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass, remembers Sharif fondly, saying that “his memories…never leave his mind.” Hawass told Asharq Al-Awsat that “Omar Sharif was characterized by extreme simplicity. When he met Adel Emam before filming the movie (Hassan and Marcus), he personally asked to put Adel Emam’s name first. When I expressed my surprise at that, Sharif said that he did not mind putting his name second.”
Hawass explains that “Omar Sharif loved all people and did not hate or feel jealous of anyone. He discovered that he had Alzheimer’s disease during a dinner we had together, so I never left him following he was diagnosed with this disease and I stayed by his side until the end.”
With Adel Emam (Hassan and Marcus’ production company)
Egyptian art critic Magda Khairallah argues that there is “a common mistake in the Arab world regarding the concept of stardom and its connection to heroism.” She explains to Asharq Al-Awsat that this idea does not exist in international cinema. “Big stars like Anthony Quinn and others played supporting roles, and a star like Brad Pitt appeared in secondary roles in films he produced.” She continues: “Omar Sharif himself used to say, ‘This is my job as a professional artist.’ He might get a big role or supporting roles like the ones he played in European films and series, like the series ‘Petersburg,’ in which he played the role of a saint.”
Khairallah concludes that: “It is possible that he will be attracted to a secondary role that he sees as more important than the lead role, and then he will play a main role as in the movie (Rock the Casbah) in which his role was the focus of the movie’s events.”
Egyptian art critic Osama Abdel Fattah points out that “the natural cycle of an artist’s career witnesses several changes according to his age.” He adds to Asharq Al-Awsat that “there are roles written for some big stars such as Anthony Hopkins, Dustin Hoffman, and Robert De Niro, which have other requirements such as the artist being permanently in Hollywood. But Omar Sharif was not preoccupied with this matter and was not fascinated by Hollywood stardom, as evidenced by the fact that he did not stay there for long, but rather turned to working in European cinema, and he also played leading roles in the last years of his life, including (Mr. Ibrahim and Flowers of the Quran).”
Sharif’s television talks were characterized by extreme frankness (archive)
Both Egyptian critics agree that Sharif did not receive the recognition he deserved during his lifetime or posthumously. Abdel Fattah says, “Omar Sharif had suffered from being ignored in Egypt, and he deserved honor and celebration during his lifetime as an artist who achieved global success and won major awards.”
While Khairallah believes that “Omar Sharif’s crisis lies in the works he presented in Egypt out of nostalgia and his sense of belonging,” she argues that “these films insulted him, such as the film (Hassan and Markos) and (Laughter, Play, Seriousness and Love), because Omar Sharif’s value was greater than the two films.”
The late Egyptian artist Omar Sharif suffered from Alzheimer’s disease at the end of his life (archive)
Omar Sharif began his career in Egyptian cinema with the great director Youssef Chahine, who introduced him in the film “Struggle in the Valley” in 1954 opposite Faten Hamama. He quickly became one of the great stars of cinema, working with the “Lady of the Arab Screen” Faten Hamama, whom he married and had their only son, Tarek, before their separation. They made several films together, including “Our Sweet Days,” “I Don’t Sleep,” “Lady of the Palace,” and “River of Love.”
Omar Sharif: Why The Star Accepted Secondary Roles In His Later Career
On the ninth anniversary of the passing of international star Omar Sharif, who breathed his last on July 10, 2015 in Cairo at the age of 83, the artistic world remembers the life of the great actor. Sadly, Omar Sharif was afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease for some time before his death. His son revealed that “he no longer remembers his films.”
Omar Sharif is the only Arab actor who achieved global stardom. It began with his iconic role in “Lawrence of Arabia” alongside director David Lean. He followed that triumph with a series of successful films like “Doctor Zhivago”, “The Yellow Rolls Royce”, “Tamarind Seed”, and “Funny Girl”, co-starring with some of the world’s biggest stars.
A Star Willing to Embrace Supporting Roles
Despite his immense success, the “big star” was unhesitant in accepting supporting roles. He never shied away from these opportunities, even when they were a departure from his typical leading roles. However, this didn’t stop him from returning to leading roles, like in the French movie “Mr. Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Qur’an” in 2003, for which he earned the prestigious French “César” award.
This was not a cause for concern for Sharif. In a 1985 television interview, the late star explained that he “no longer found good roles in cinema”. He added: “I no longer have faith in my work, and I am now living in an age stage where neither young men’s roles nor old men’s roles are suitable, but I do not see a problem in playing supporting roles if I like the work and the role is suitable for me.”
Facing Reality and Financial Obligations
Known for his candor, the artist added that he “had living obligations that pushed him to continue working and presenting small roles”. He lived in Paris for extended periods of the year. When he grew tired of being alone, he would return to Egypt, until the noise of friends and family got to him, and then he would return to France once more. He admitted that he “received large sums of money in exchange for presenting work that he described as easy.”
Humility and Generosity: A Personal Tribute
His close friend, Egyptian archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass, shares his enduring memories of the late artist. “Omar Sharif was characterized by extreme simplicity,” Hawass told Asharq Al-Awsat. “When he met Adel Emam before filming the movie ‘Hassan and Marcus’, he personally asked to put Adel Emam’s name first.” When Hawass expressed his surprise, Sharif said he didn’t mind putting his name second.
Hawass explains that “Omar Sharif loved all people and did not hate or feel jealous of anyone. He discovered that he had Alzheimer’s disease during a dinner we had together, so I never left him following he was diagnosed with this disease and I stayed by his side until the end.”
Shifting Perspectives: The Hollywood & Arab World Paradox
Egyptian art critic Magda Khairallah highlights a “common mistake in the Arab world regarding the concept of stardom and its connection to heroism, which is something that doesn’t exist in international cinema.” She explained to Asharq Al-Awsat, “Big stars like Anthony Quinn and others played supporting roles, and a star like Brad Pitt appeared in secondary roles in films he produced. Omar Sharif himself used to say, ‘This is my job as a professional artist.’ He might get a big role or supporting roles like the ones he played in European films and series, like the series ‘Petersburg,’ in which he played the role of a saint.”
“It is possible he will be attracted to a secondary role that he sees as more important than the lead role, and then he will play a main role as in the movie ‘Rock the Casbah’ in which his role was the focus of the movie’s events,” Khairallah says.
Egyptian art critic Osama Abdel Fattah points out that “the natural cycle of an artist’s career witnesses several changes according to his age”. He explained to Asharq Al-Awsat, “There are roles written for some big stars, such as Anthony Hopkins, Dustin Hoffman, and Robert De Niro, which have other requirements, such as the artist being permanently in Hollywood. But Omar Sharif was not preoccupied with that matter and was not fascinated by Hollywood stardom, as evidenced by the fact that he did not stay there for long, but rather turned to working in European cinema, and he also played leading roles in the last years of his life, including ‘Mr. Ibrahim and Flowers of the Quran’.”
A Legacy Underserved: Honor and Recognition
Both Egyptian critics agreed that Omar Sharif did not receive the deserving celebration during his lifetime. He was also not honored enough following his passing. Abdel Fattah says, “Omar Sharif had suffered from being ignored in Egypt, and he deserved honor and celebration during his lifetime as an artist who achieved global success and won major awards.”
Magda Khairallah believes that “Omar Sharif’s crisis lies in the works he presented in Egypt out of nostalgia and his sense of belonging.” She considered that “these films insulted him, such as the film ‘Hassan and Markos’ and ‘Laughter, Play, Seriousness and Love’, because Omar Sharif’s value was greater than these films.”
The Rise & Impact of a Legend
Omar Sharif embarked on his career in Egyptian cinema with the renowned director Youssef Chahine. Chahine introduced him to the world in the film “Struggle in the Valley” in 1954, opposite Faten Hamama. He quickly rose to become one of the great stars of cinema. He worked with the “Lady of the Arab Screen” Faten Hamama, whom he married and had their only son, Tarek, before their separation. They co-starred in several films, including “Our Sweet Days”, “I Don’t Sleep”, “Lady of the Palace”, and “River of Love.”