Who is Omar Sharif: Google Doodle celebrates 86th birthday of Dr Zhivago actor
TODAY’S Google Doodle celebrates the late Hollywood legend Omar Sharif on what would have been his 86th birthday.
Omar Sharif - Lawrence of Arabia - 'Nothing is written'
Hailed by his contemporaries as one of the great access of his generation, the Egyptian-born Lebanese actor was known as the "The Noble”.
Today Google has changed it’s logo across 48 countries to mark the actor’s April 10 birthday, created by the talented illustrator Sophie Dao.
Google said: “Actor Omar Sharif made his indelible mark on Hollywood cinema without uttering a word.
“Playing the Arab warrior Sherif Ali in the 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia, Sharif first appears as a tiny dot on the desert horizon, growing larger as his camel gallops into the frame with Peter O’Toole.
“From that point on, he continued on an incredible journey that made his indelible mark on Cinema in the Arab world and beyond.”
Sharif was born Michel Demitri Shalhoub in Alexandria, Egypt, on April 10, 1932.
Prior to undertaking a career in the movie industry, the long an worked for his father’s lumber company.
By the time he starred in his first Egyptian movie, the actor adopted the screen Omar Sharif and starred in the 1954 film ‘Struggle in the Valley’ – also known as ‘The Blazing Sun’.
Google Doodle: Omar Sharif is honoured on his 86th birthday
Google Doodle: Omar Sharif won two Golden Globes for Lawrence of Arabia
On the set of the film he met his wife to be, the actress Faten Hamama. The couple married in 1955 and had one son together, before separating and divorcing in 1974.
Sharif once remarked he never fell in love again after his marriage ended.
Following ‘Struggle in the Valley he went on to work on other hits, such as 1960’s ‘A Rumour of Love’ and ‘There is a Man in Our House’.
In 1962 he catapulted towards international fame with the silver screen classic ‘Lawrence of Arabia’.
Thereafter his portfolio expanded with roles such as the King of Armenia in 1964’s ‘The Fall of the Roman Empire’, a Mongol leader in 1965’s ‘Genghis Khan’ and the eponymous ‘Dr Zhivago’ in 1965.
One of his most acclaimed parts was that of Nicky Arnstein in 1968’s ‘Funny Girl’ where he co-starred along Barbara Streisand.
Actor Omar Sharif made his indelible mark on Hollywood cinema without uttering a word
However in his later years his career took a tumble, starring in less and less successful roles for films such as ’The Pink Panther Strikes Again’.
The actor one noted: “I lost my self-respect and dignity.
"Even my grandchildren were making fun of me. 'Grandpa, that was really bad. And this one? It's worse.'"
Google Doodle: Omar Sharif's role in Dr Zhivago was an international hit
Google Doodle: The Egyptian actor died on June 10 2015
In 1992 Sharif underwent a triple brass and suffered a heart attack just two years laters.
In May 2015 the actor’s son Tarek revealed Sharif was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Sharif died in Cairo on July 10, 2015 – six months after his ex-wife passed away.
Among his accolades, Sharif has won two Golden Globes and an Oscar nomination for ‘Lawrence of Arabia’.
Egypt: Omar Sharif laid to rest in Cairo
In 2005 he was awarded the UNESCO Einstein medal in 2005, acknowledging his contributions towards cultural diversity.
Google said: “While acting was his main occupation, Sharif was also an internationally renowned bridge player, writing a syndicated column on the topic for the Chicago Tribune.
“Today’s animated Doodle shows Sharif in true dashing form.
“Happy 86th birthday, Omar Sharif!”