1 min read
We all have Hollywood crushes.
Omar Sharif was mine.
I would not be able to tell you how many times I’ve watched Funny Girl – the story of a young Jewish woman who falls in love with a beautiful, but unattainable, exotic man.
That woman was played by American Jewish actress Barbra Streisand, while the beautiful man was played by Egyptian-born Sharif, who died this afternoon aged 83.
Like so many actors, their relationship went beyond the big screen.
But their affair almost cost Sharif his nationality. Exposed in the press in the midst of war between Egypt and Israel, his government was reportedly close to withdrawing his citizenship as a result of his fraternising with a woman so open in her support of Israel.
Taking to social media to express her sadness at Sharif's death, Streisand wrote on Instagram: "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."
I do wonder what would have happened if the relationship between these two, quite literally star-crossed, lovers would have been allowed to blossom.
But Sharif’s relationship with the community did not stop there.
He converted to Islam from Christianity to marry Egyptian actress Faten Hamama.
But his grandson Omar Sharif junior, also an actor, is halachically Jewish. After the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, the model was reported as saying: “That my mother is Jewish, is no small disclose when you are from Egypt.
“And being openly gay has always meant asking for trouble, but perhaps especially during this time of political and social upheaval.
“With the victories of several Islamist parties in recent elections, a conversation needs to be had and certain questions need to be raised.
“I ask myself: ‘Am I welcome in the new Egypt?’
“Will being Egyptian, half Jewish, and gay forever remain mutually exclusive identities? Are they identities to be hidden?”
In any case, Netflix shows will have to wait this weekend. I fancy an Omar Sharif binge.