Google Honors Legendary Egyptian Actor, Omar Sharif

Exciting to wake up and see a familiar face staring back at me from today's Google doodle (featured in 48 countries). Despite our fabled, illustrious past, we seem to have precious little to be proud of in modern Egypt (Egyptian soccer star, Mohamed Salah, being one of our few exceptions).

Yet, beyond Ancient Egyptian civilization, believe it or not, Egypt used to be the cultural capital of the Arab world, not too long ago. You know the song -New York, New York- well, substitute the Cairo of just a few decades ago, and the lyric still works: If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere...

Celebrated writers, thinkers, actors, singers, dancers, you name it, were born and raised on Egyptian soil and, if not, they came there from neighboring countries to find a culturally-sophisticated audience and attempt to launch their careers, there.

Today, Omar Sharif, the Egyptian actor best known for his roles in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Doctor Zhivago (1965), would have been 86. Born in Alexandria, to Lebanese and Syrian parents, the young "Michel Demitri Shalhoub" (birth name) was raised a Roman Catholic. He represented another time in Egypt—more cosmopolitan, more tolerant and, thus, more interesting. And the roles he played, in Hollywood, reflected his global citizenship: Arab, Russian, Jewish, Italian.

Before making his English-language film debut with "Lawrence of Arabia", for which he earned a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination and international fame, Sharif was already a star in Egyptian cinema. I did not know him, personally, though family friends did, but I was captivated by his charm (along with countless others) and when he died at 83, just a few yeas ago, I felt that one of youth's emblems had fallen.

Strange how the loss of public figures can affect us, personally... Yes, as Egyptians, we were especially proud of him for capturing the hearts and imaginations of an international audience, being our cultural ambassador. And, because actors are so closely associated with their most important roles, I wonder whether we felt the loss of the actor or the persons he portrayed--or both? I'd say both. Sharif played so many rich characters: Lovers, Adventurers, Clowns, Tricksters, Aristocrats ... (he was, in fact, hailed by many as 'The Noble'). Perhaps, he was all of them.

Beyond, his debonair air, it's worth mentioning that Sharif dared to care enough about Egypt/ians to take us to task when our showy, close-minded, violent religiosity overshadowed our deeper humanity. Which is to say, in his art, he did not shy from tackling difficult subjects (as an actor-activist) using his platform to help us examine ourselves and remind us of our renowned hospitality and historic tolerance. Here, is Sharif musing on acting, religion, and the future in a moving interview (just five years before his death):

Who will replace this Egyptian icon? Some, from my part of the world, blame Hollywood for not allowing room for another Omar Sharif (only big, bad terrorists). But, I don't. I blame us for the current lack of another like him on the silver screen and world stage. Sharif represented a bygone era, when we were naturally more sophisticated, cosmopolitan, cultured and confident enough not to be threatened by differences or contradictions--our own or others.

Meditating further, I see it as the difference between the ancient, glorious center of learning in Egypt, the Library of Alexandria, and the current one. It was the prevailing culture that made the former great and the library was a natural extension and reflection of that greatness. Similarly, with our artists/cultural exports. Omar Sharif was a symbol of our former glory, and rich diversity, which I miss, and want back...

Once, we rediscover our inner Omar Sharifs—with their effortless ease, elegance and wit—then, perhaps, Hollywood's more diverse casting calls will follow suit. Good night, sweet prince, and may our time-honored Egyptian character and culture be resurrected, in the not too distant future!

(Image: Omar Sharif Pixabay)