Born Michel Shalhoub in Alexandria, Egypt, of Lebanese parents; studied mathematics and physics at Victory College, Cairo. The son of a wealthy merchant of Lebanese descent, he converted to Islam and changed his name to Omar El-Sharif shortly after making his Egyptian film debut in 1953. His popularity in the Arabic-speaking world increased after he married Faten Hamama, then the leading star of Egyptian films, in 1955. His casting in David Lean's LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962) led to a career in American and international films, notably as the lead in DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (1965). Other notable screen credits include THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, BEHOLD A PALE HORSE and THE YELLOW ROLLS-ROYCE (all 1964), THE NIGHT OF THE GENERALS (1966), FUNNY GIRL (1968), MacKENNA'S GOLD and CHE! (both 1969), JUGGERNAUT (1974) and FUNNY LADY (1975), ACE UP MY SLEEVE (1976), ASHANTI and BLOODLINE (both 1979), OH HEAVENLY DOG (1980), INCHON and GREEN ICE (both 1981), AYOUB (1983), TOP SECRET! (1984), GRAND LARCENY (1987), LES POSSÉDÉS / THE POSSESSED (1988), THE RAINBOW THIEF (1990), MAYRIG (1991), BEYOND JUSTICE (1992), HEAVEN BEFORE I DIE (1997), THE 13TH WARRIOR (199), CENSOR and THE PAROLE OFFICER (both 2001), HIDALGO and BENJI: OFF THE LEASH! (both 2004), ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING (2006), and 10,000 B.C. (2008). He continues to work in many TV movies in Europe, the US and the Middle East. Sharif is a world-class contract bridge player and was the leader of a professional team that won many international tournaments. However, Sharif told the press in 2006 that he no longer played bridge, explaining, "I decided I didn't want to be a slave to any passion any more except for my work. I had too many passions, bridge, horses, gambling. I want to live a different kind of life, be with my family more because I didn't give them enough time." He is fluent in English, Arabic, Greek and French. Visit the Internet Movie Database for a fuller listing of Sharif's film and TV credits.  Nominated for Supporting Actor 1962: LAWRENCE OF ARABIA 1 nomination