Omar Sharif’s Acting Career, Key Phases and Notable Films

Omar Sharif’s filmography showcases a remarkable journey from Egyptian leading man to international superstar in the 1960s (defined by Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago), followed by decades as a versatile leading man and character actor across global cinema and television, culminating in critically acclaimed late-career performances like Monsieur Ibrahim.

Career Highlights & Phases

  1. Egyptian Stardom (1958-1961): Began his career as a major star in Egyptian cinema.
    • Key Films: La anam (Sleepless) (1958), Fadiha fil-zamalek (Scandal in Zamalek) (1959), Esha'a hob (Rumor of Love) (1960), Hobi al-wahid (My Only Love) (1960).
  2. International Breakthrough & Peak (1962-1969): Achieved global fame with David Lean epics and became a top Hollywood star.
    • Lawrence of Arabia (1962): Iconic role as Sherif Ali (Salary: £8,000). Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
    • Doctor Zhivago (1965): Starred as Yuri Zhivago, one of his most famous roles (Salary: £8,000).
    • Other Major Films: The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964), Behold a Pale Horse (1964), Genghis Khan (1965), The Yellow Rolls-Royce (1965), The Night of the Generals (1967), Mayerling (1968), Funny Girl (1968) as Nicky Arnstein (Salary: £8,000), Mackenna's Gold (1969), Che! (1969), The Appointment (1969).
  3. Leading Man & Diverse Roles (1970s): Continued as a leading man in international productions across various genres (drama, thriller, adventure, comedy).
    • Key Films: The Horsemen (1971), The Last Valley (1971), The Tamarind Seed (1974), Juggernaut (1974), Funny Lady (1975) (sequel to Funny Girl), Crime and Passion (1975), Bloodline (1979), S-H-E (1979).
  4. Later Career & Character Roles (1980s-2000s): Shifted towards character roles, TV movies/miniseries, and international/independent films.
    • Key Films: Oh! Heavenly Dog (1980), Pleasure Palace (1980), Green Ice (1981), Top Secret! (1984) (Cameo/Parody), Peter the Great (1986) (TV Miniseries), Ashanti: Land of No Mercy (1989), The Baltimore Bullet (1990), Mayrig (1991), Memories of Midnight (1991), Beyond Justice (1992), Grand Larceny (1992), Catherine the Great (1995) (TV Movie), Gulliver's Travels (1996) (TV Miniseries), The 13th Warrior (1999), The Parole Officer (2001), Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran (2003) (Acclaimed French film, won César Award), Hidalgo (2004) (Significant late Hollywood role).
Omar Sharif's acting career, key phases and notable films
  • Salary Consistency: The notation of £8,000 for Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, and Funny Girl highlights his initial Hollywood contract rates during his peak breakthrough years.
  • Genre Versatility: Sharif worked in epics, dramas, comedies, thrillers, romances, and adventure films.
  • International Scope: His career spanned Hollywood, European cinema (especially French), Egyptian cinema, and international co-productions.
  • Longevity: His credited acting career spanned nearly 50 years, from 1954 (though your list starts at 1958) to 2004, with significant roles into his 70s (Monsieur Ibrahim, Hidalgo).
  • TV Work: Included significant television movies and miniseries like Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, and Gulliver's Travels.

Omar Sharif’s Filmography

Films by Omar Sharif are:

  • Hidalgo (2004)
  • Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran (2003)
  • The Parole Officer (2001)
  • The 13th Warrior (1999)
  • The Mysteries of Egypt (1998)
  • Funny Girl/Funny Lady (1997)
  • Heaven Before I Die (1997)
  • Lebanon – Imprisoned Splendour (1997)
  • The Possessed (1996)
  • Gulliver’s Travels (1996)
  • Catherine the Great (1995)
  • Lie Down With Lions (1994)
  • Dehk we le’b we gad we hob (Laughter, Games, Seriousness and Love) (1993)
  • Beyond Justice (1992)
  • Grand Larceny (1992)
  • Mayrig (1992)
  • Memories of Midnight (1991)
  • Mowaten masri (War in the Land of Egypt) (1991)
  • The Baltimore Bullet (1990)
  • The Opium Connection (1990)
  • Ashanti: Land of No Mercy (1989)
  • Peter the Great (1986)
  • Top Secret! (1984)
  • Green Ice (1981)
  • Oh! Heavenly Dog (1980)
  • Pleasure Palace (1980)
  • Bloodline (1979)
  • S-H-E (1979)
  • Crime and Passion (1975)
  • Funny Lady (1975)
  • Juggernaut (1974)
  • The Tamarind Seed (1974)
  • The Horsemen (1971)
  • The Last Valley (1971)
  • Che! (1969)
  • The Appointment (1969)
  • Mackenna’s Gold (1969)
  • Funny Girl (1968) (Salary £8,000)
  • Mayerling (1968)
  • The Night of the Generals (1967)
  • Doctor Zhivago (1965) (Salary £8,000)
  • The Yellow Rolls-Royce (1965)
  • Genghis Khan (1965)
  • Behold a Pale Horse (1964)
  • The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
  • Lawrence of Arabia (1962) (Salary £8,000)
  • Hobi al-wahid (My Only Love) (1960)
  • Esha’a hob (Rumor of Love) (1960)
  • Fadiha fil-zamalek (Scandal in Zamalek) (1959)
  • La anam (No Tomorrow) (1958)

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