Omar Sharif Quotes

Powerful Omar Sharif for Daily Growth

About Omar Sharif

Omar Sharif (April 10, 1932 – July 10, 2015), born Michael Demitri Shalhoub, was a renowned Egyptian-Lebanese actor known for his captivating performances in both Arab and Hollywood films. Born in Alexandria, Egypt to a wealthy Lebanese-Armenian family, Sharif was exposed to the glamour of cinema from an early age. His first major role came in 1954 when he starred in the Egyptian film 'Struggle on the Nile', which launched his career in Arab cinema. Sharif gained international recognition with David Lean's epic film 'Lawrence of Arabia' (1962), where he played Sherif Ali ibn El Kharish alongside Peter O'Toole. His portrayal of the charming, aristocratic Arab was widely acclaimed and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He reteamed with Lean in 'Doctor Zhivago' (1965), playing the passionate Communist Yusuf Svetlov, which further cemented his status as a global star. Throughout his career, Sharif balanced roles in Hollywood films with Arab cinema productions. He was also known for his work in French and Indian cinema, appearing in films like 'Guns at Batasi' (1964) and 'The Fall of the Roman Empire' (1964). In 1980, he co-starred with Sophia Loren in 'The Last Emperor', for which he won a Golden Globe Award. Sharif's personal life was as intriguing as his professional one. He married four times and had five children. His last marriage, to the British horse trainer Helen Gaskell, lasted until his death in 2015 due to a heart attack at the age of 83. Despite facing challenges such as alcoholism and health issues, Sharif remained active in both film and polo until the end of his life. Omar Sharif's legacy continues to inspire actors and audiences alike, bridging cultural divides through his captivating performances and timeless roles.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"To me, every man is an island."

Omar Sharif's quote, "To me, every man is an island," emphasizes that each individual has unique experiences, emotions, thoughts, and perspectives, just as an island is distinct from others in geography and culture. It suggests a sense of self-reliance and personal autonomy, where each person must navigate their own life journey while maintaining boundaries to preserve their identity and wellbeing. Simultaneously, it implies the importance of understanding and appreciating the differences that make every human being special and valuable in their own right.


"It's better to be an actor and poor than a rich businessman any day."

Omar Sharif suggests that, for him, the pursuit of acting is more fulfilling and valuable than amassing wealth through business, regardless of financial status. He finds happiness and personal satisfaction in the art of acting, which, according to him, outweighs any material riches one might gain from a career in business. This quote reflects a deep appreciation for creativity, self-expression, and the pursuit of passion over financial success.


"The only time I feel I am not an Arab is when I am playing a Russian."

This quote by Omar Sharif suggests that he felt a strong cultural and ethnic identity as an Arab, but when he played the role of a Russian character in films, he momentarily lost that sense of Arabness or felt out of place. This could be due to immersing himself so deeply into the character and culture he portrayed, causing him to experience a disconnect from his own cultural background during the performance.


"There's nothing like acting to make you realize how much you don't know."

This quote suggests that the act of performing, specifically acting in this context, exposes one to a vast array of knowledge or experiences they may not have been aware they lacked. It underscores the humbling nature of artistic pursuits, as they often require an understanding and portrayal of human emotions, thoughts, and situations beyond one's immediate comprehension. This realization of the unknown can serve as a powerful motivator for personal growth and exploration, fostering a lifelong journey of learning and self-discovery.


"Life is a game, and everyone wants to win."

Omar Sharif's quote "Life is a game, and everyone wants to win" suggests that life, like any game, has its own set of rules, challenges, and objectives. Each individual sees life as an opportunity to excel, grow, and achieve success in their unique ways. This quote encourages competition, ambition, and the pursuit of personal bests as a means to live a meaningful and fulfilling life. However, it's also important to remember that while winning is important, understanding the value of collaboration, sportsmanship, and learning from others are essential elements in both games and life.


I was a fat little boy when I was 10 years old! My mother, who didn't speak any English at all, said, 'I know the only thing is to put him in an English boarding school. The food will be so horrible that he'll lose his weight.'

- Omar Sharif

Him, Boy, The Only Thing, Boarding School

My mother used to play cards with King Farouk. He believed she brought good luck to him - she was his mascot.

- Omar Sharif

Good Luck, Play, Cards, Believed

I don't think any actor feels comfortable watching themselves in movies. You must be very narcissistic. The problem with your own opinion of yourself is that contrary to the normal spectators, when you watch a film you are in, you only watch yourself.

- Omar Sharif

Own, Very, Feels, Spectators

I don't know what women are attracted to. I can't tell, but certainly I have no notion of having sex appeal or being seductive in any way.

- Omar Sharif

Tell, Certainly, Having, Women Are

I want to live every moment totally and intensely. Even when I'm giving an interview or talking to people, that's all that I'm thinking about.

- Omar Sharif

Want, Talking, About, Interview

I tried on a moustache, and it was decided I would grow one. I've shaved it off for a couple of films, but otherwise, I've had it ever since.

- Omar Sharif

Couple, Otherwise, Films, Shaved

I didn't want to be a slave to any passion anymore. I gave up card playing altogether, even bridge and gambling - more or less. It took me a few years to get out of it.

- Omar Sharif

Want, More, Took, Card

The reason it has relevance is because I, as a popular Arab personality - the Arab people like me and respect me - thought it was time for me to make an ever so tiny statement about what I thought about this whole thing.

- Omar Sharif

Thought, Reason, Like, Arab

I had too many big passions in life and it gets in the way of work. You can't concentrate properly on the one thing.

- Omar Sharif

Work, Big, One Thing, Concentrate

Women know when they've got the menopause but men don't quite know. They know it afterwards.

- Omar Sharif

Men, Know, Afterwards, Menopause

I love to be with my son and my grandchildren, like normal people. I have no particular idea of what I represent to other people. It's very mysterious to me. I don't understand it.

- Omar Sharif

Love, Normal, Very, Represent

I made French films and other films and a lot of Arabic films, but what I like is English for myself.

- Omar Sharif

Other, Lot, Films, French

This is one of the factors that also made me very much want to make this film, apart from the fact that I loved it. If the boy hadn't been Jewish and the man hadn't been Muslim, it wouldn't have made any difference to the film. I don't think it's relevant, really.

- Omar Sharif

Fact, Been, Very, Apart

I'd rather be playing bridge than making a bad movie.

- Omar Sharif

Bad, Movie, Making, Bad Movie

From the age of 31, I have lived in hotels.

- Omar Sharif

Age, Lived, Hotels

See these hands? They are old. But they are soft. Only good for caressing.

- Omar Sharif

Hands, Old, See, Soft

My philosophy is that when I go out of my room, I'm prepared to love everybody I meet, unless they're bad.

- Omar Sharif

Love, Bad, Everybody, Philosophy

Peter O'Toole - I really loved that man. They sent me into the desert, and I lived there with him for 100 days. And there were no women! Can you believe it?

- Omar Sharif

Believe, Him, Sent, Peter

There are lots of wonderful old Italian actors. You don't need to take an Egyptian to play an Italian actor.

- Omar Sharif

Play, Old, Need, Egyptian

They didn't accept me theory - not a theory, but just a thought I had about this character. I noticed that this man only exists when the boy comes into the grocery.

- Omar Sharif

Thought, Noticed, About, Exists

I'm very wary about giving advice. I think it's very dangerous to give advice to people, except if you know them very well.

- Omar Sharif

Think, Give, Very, Wary

I don't know what sex appeal is. I don't think you can have sex appeal knowingly. The people who seduce me personally are the people who seem not to know they're seductive, and not to know they have sex appeal.

- Omar Sharif

Sex, Think, Appeal, Sex Appeal

I see only defects because I'm not following the scene as it were. I'm not following the other person. It's like the best thing to clarify this is the theater.

- Omar Sharif

Other, Like, Clarify, Following

Working gets in the way of living.

- Omar Sharif

Working, Living, Way, Gets

This character in the film, these things that he says which sound like advice and wise things, they are very common for Orientals. It's all the tradition.

- Omar Sharif

Like, Very, Which, Tradition

I don't think I could live without a deck of cards in my hands.

- Omar Sharif

Hands, Cards, Think, Deck

He read his mind. He's a strange sort of man, isn't he? It's not just the advice and the wisdom that he has.

- Omar Sharif

Mind, Read, His, Strange

I can't say I gave up totally my passion for women but almost.

- Omar Sharif

Say, Almost, Gave, Totally

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