Omar Sharif, 'Lawrence Of Arabia’ Star, Dead At Age 83

Legendary actor Omar Sharif has died at the age of 83, reports Variety.

The Egyptian-born star, who was best known for roles in "Lawrence of Arabia," "Funny Girl" and "Dr. Zhivahgo," suffered a heart attack on Friday in a hospital in Cairo, his agent Steve Kenis told the website.

The actor first appeared in Egypt's "Devil of the Sahara" in 1954, and was the country's biggest box-office star when he was cast him in 1962's "Lawrence of Arabia," according to the Associated Press.

Sharif married actress Faten Hamama in 1955 and welcomed a son, Tarek, in 1957. The couple divorced in 1974.

This past May, the Sharif''s agent confirmed that the Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe-winning actor had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

He made his last film appearance in "Rock the Casbah" in 2013.

Sharif's "Funny Girl" co-star Barbra Streisand remembered the actor fondly, telling The Hufington Post in a statement:

"Omar was my first leading man in the movies. He was handsome, sophisticated and charming. He was a proud Egyptian and in some people’s eyes, the idea of casting him in Funny Girl was considered controversial. Yet somehow, under the direction of William Wyler, the romantic chemistry between Nicky Arnstein and Fanny Brice transcended stereotypes and prejudice. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Omar, and I’m profoundly sad to hear of his passing."

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