Barbra Streisand Remembers FUNNY GIRL Co-Star Omar Sharif: 'He Was My First Leading Man'

As BWW reported earlier today, Oscar nominated actor Omar Sharif, who starred in such film classics as "Doctor Zhivago", "Funny Girl" and "Lawrence of Arabia" has passed away at the age of 83. His agent revealed the news, sharing that the actor suffered a heart attack in Cairo. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the actor had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Today, Barbra Streisand remembered her FUNNY GIRL costar in the following 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." [Source: Variety]

Below, watch Streisand and Sharif sing "You Are Woman, I Am Man" from the film adaptatioin of FUNNY GIRL:

The Egyptian born actor's first English-language film was in the role of Sharif Ali in David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia in 1962. His performance earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture. Following this breakthrough role, Sharif played a variety of characters, including a Spanish priest in Behold a Pale Horse (1964), a Yugoslav wartime patriot in The Yellow Rolls-Royce (1964) and the Mongolian conqueror in Genghis Khan (1965). In the same year, Sharif reunited with Lean to play the title role in Doctor Zhivago, an adaptation of Boris Pasternak's novel.

Sharif starred as a German military officer in The Night of the Generals, as Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria in Mayerling and as Che Guevara in Che!. He was also acclaimed for his portrayal of Nicky Arnstein, husband to Fanny Brice in "Funny Girl" opposite Barbra Streisand. He reprised the role in the film's sequel, Funny Lady in 1975.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos