Omar Sharif Net Worth

Publish date: 2024-08-04

What is Omar Sharif’s net worth?

Net Worth:	$2 Million
Age:	91
Born:	April 10, 1932
Gender:	Male
Height:	1.8 m
Country of Origin:	Egypt
Source of Wealth:	Professional Actor
Last Updated:	September 22, 2023

Table of Contents

Introduction

Omar Sharif was a world-renowned Egyptian actor and bridge player who began his career in his home country, Egypt, before gaining international exposure.

He is most famous for his roles in David Lean’s epic movies, “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Doctor Zhivago”.

Sharif was known for his suave and debonair on-screen presence and received numerous accolades throughout his career, including a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination.

As of February 2024, Omar Sharif’s net worth is estimated to be $2 Million.

Omar Sharif Facts

Sharif was fluent in several languages, including Arabic, English, French, and Italian, which he used to good effect in his roles in the 1950s.
He was the first actor of non-European descent to become a star in Hollywood in 1962.
Sharif was a smoker throughout his life, which eventually led to his being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2015.
He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Doctor Zhivago in 1966.
Sharif had a passion for horse racing and owned several racehorses in the 1970s and 1980s.

Early Life

Michel Yusef Dimitri Chalhoub, more commonly known as Omar Sharif, was born April 10, 1932, in Alexandria, Egypt, the son of a timber merchant.

His father was of Syrian and Lebanese descent and his mother was of Turkish and Circassian descent and he was raised in a wealthy, prominent, and well-educated family.

He attended Victoria College in Alexandria, one of Egypt’s most prestigious schools, where he was an average student, loving sports, particularly swimming and horseback riding.

His performance in school was in no way an indication of his intellect, as he showed a talent for both bridge and chess.

After finishing his education, Sharif worked in his father’s timber business for a short period before deciding to pursue a career in acting.

Career

Omar Sharif began his acting career in Egypt in the 1950s, starring in several popular local Arab films.

He quickly became one of the most recognizable actors in the Middle-east and his early career in Egypt consisted of mostly romantic and comedic roles.

However, it was his role in David Lean’s 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia with Peter O’Toole and Antony Quin that propelled him to international fame.

Sharif played the role of Sherif Ali, and his performance earned him critical acclaim and a Golden Globe award.

Following his success in Lawrence of Arabia, Sharif went on to star in another David Lean film, Doctor Zhivago, in 1965.

He played the lead role of Yuri Zhivago, a physician and poet whose life was torn apart by the Russian Revolution.

The film was a commercial and critical success, and Sharif received an Academy Award nomination for his performance.

Throughout his career, Sharif appeared in over 80 films, including a mix of Hollywood and international productions.

Omar Sharif’s Career Earnings

He earned a stellar reputation, making it big in Hollywood, and was considered one of the most talented and versatile actors of his generation.

Omar Sharif passed away in 2015 and had reportedly earned up to $3 million per year while he was acting in big-screen movies.

He was known for his ability to play a wide range of characters, receiving numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination.

His fame was such that he received the title of “Cultural Ambassador” from the Egyptian government in 2002.

Omar Sharif’s Net Worth Annually

Omar Sharif acted with many famous actors during his long and illustrious career including Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Stanley Tucci”.

He was joined by Kate Hudson, Rob Reiner, and Sophie Marceau in the 2003 film, “Alex & Emma” in which he played the role of Wirschafter.

At the time of his death, Omar Sharif’s annual net worth was in the region of $2 Million but this is a difficult figure to confirm as he had assets spread around the world.

He also shared the screen with Luke Wilson, Steve Coogan, Harrison Ford, Antonio Banderas in the 1999 film, “The 13th Warrior,” and Jennifer Connelly in “The Sheltering Sky”.

Apart from acting, Sharif was a skilled bridge player who represented Egypt in international competitions and wrote books on the game.

Personal Life

Omar Sharif was married to an Egyptian actress, Faten Hamama, whom he met while working on the set of his first film.

The couple had a son and was considered one of the most famous and glamorous couples in the Arab world and were married for 15 years before getting divorced in 1974.

In his later years, Sharif had many romantic relationships but never remarried and had a daughter, Tyreen, with American actress Susan Anbeh.

In the last years of his life, Sharif had some financial troubles due to the mismanagement of his finances and his gambling addiction.

He also struggled with alcohol addiction and was a heavy smoker, which eventually led to him being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2015.

Awards & Achievements

Omar Sharif was considered one of the most talented and skillful actors of his time, and his career highlights and awards serve as a testament to his versatility, range, and charisma.

What made him such a great actor was his ability to bring depth and nuance to every role he played, no matter how large or small.

Here are some of the defining moments that shaped Omar Sharif’s career:

He received a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for Lawrence of Arabia in 1963.
Sharif won the Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2004.
In 2002 he received the title of “Cultural Ambassador” from Egypt.
Sharif was given a lifetime achievement award by the Egyptian National Film Organization in 1997.
In 1998, he was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, France’s highest cultural award.

His performances were often marked by an effortless charm, a commanding presence, and a magnetic screen presence that helped to captivate audiences around the world.

Sharif’s performance in “Lawrence of Arabia” made him stand out even among the film’s all-star cast, as he imbued his character with a sense of nobility, honor, and complexity.

How Does Omar Sharif Spend His Money?

Shariff was a huge gambling fan and spent a considerable amount of time and money in casinos in Europe and America.

He purchased a beautiful home on the island of Lanzarote in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa.

However, after buying one of the biggest houses in the world, he reportedly lost it in a game of cards the same day he acquired it, never setting foot on the island again.

As legend would have it, Sharif gambled it away in a game of bridge to the estate agent from whom he bought the property.

The property is currently a museum titled, “La Casa De Omar Sharif,” which you can visit to see first-hand the beautiful view that enticed Omar to buy it.

He loved sports cars but unfortunately, his son, Tarek, had a propensity for causing accidents in them and over the years racked up quite a tally in damages.

Sharif owned some of the most expensive pets in the world, owning several racehorses during the course of acting career.

Highlights

Sharif’s performance in “Dr. Zhivago” was a tour de force, as he brought a sense of dignity, intelligence, and romanticism to his role that was truly memorable.

It was this performance that made him one of the most memorable leading men in cinema history and assured him fame.

Here are some of the best highlights of Omar Sharif’s career:

He played the role of Sherif Ali in David Lean’s 1962 epic, “Lawrence of Arabia,” which brought him international fame.
Sharif starred in Doctor Zhivago in 1965, directed by David Lean, where he received an Academy Award nomination for his role as Yuri Zhivago.
In 1963, he won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for Lawrence of Arabia.
He appeared in over 80 films between 1950 and 2011.
He appeared in “Funny Girl” in 1968, winning a Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actor.

What made Omar Sharif such a great actor was his ability to infuse his performances with a sense of humanity, complexity, and depth that made his characters feel like real people.

His career highlights and awards serve as a testament to his talent and his enduring legacy as one of the most beloved and respected actors in the history of cinema.

Favorite Omar Sharif Quotes

Apart from his acting career, Sharif was also a highly skilled bridge player, writing several books on the game and representing Egypt in numerous international competitions.

Here are our favorite quotes from Omar Sharif:

“I have never been able to understand why a film should be shot in eight weeks. If it takes eight weeks to tell a story, then the story is not worth telling.” – Omar Sharif
“I am a bridge player, not an actor. I just happen to act to make a living.” – Omar Sharif
“I am not a lover of Hollywood. I don’t like the atmosphere and I don’t like the people.” – Omar Sharif
“I am not a great actor, but I have a talent for bridge.” – Omar Sharif
I don’t think I’m a star. I’m just a human being, and I happen to be in the movies.” – Omar Sharif

3 Amazing Lessons From Omar Sharif

His passion for bridge was so great that he even turned down roles in Hollywood films if they would conflict with his bridge commitments.

Now that you know all about Omar Sharif’s net worth, here are some of the best success lessons to learn from Omar Sharif:

1. Follow Your Passion

Omar Sharif had a passion for bridge, and it was something he pursued in preference to his job as an actor.

He wrote books on the game and represented Egypt in international competitions, showing that it’s possible to follow your passions and make time for the things that you love.

2. Don’t Be Defined By One Thing

Sharif was known for acting, but he was also a passionate bridge player who was considered one of the most talented card players in the world.

He didn’t allow his acting career to define him, as he had many other interests and talents and was at pains not to be defined by just one thing.

3. Keep Learning And Evolving

Sharif had a long and successful career spanning many decades, during which he played a wide range of characters and roles.

He kept learning and evolving as an actor, and this helped him to stay relevant and continue to have success despite the changing face of international film.

Summary

Omar Sharif was recognized as a multi-talented actor who left a lasting impact on the international film industry.

His defining roles in David Lean’s movies set the scene for his subsequent career and ensured that he would always have a place in the hearts of his fans.

Sharif’s career spanned several decades in which he evolved and changed, playing a wide range of characters that secured his legacy forever.