Omar Sharif diagnosed with Alzheimer’s

Legendary film star Omar Sharif has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, his agent Steve Kenis announced to The Associated Press on Monday. His son, Tarek Sharif, first revealed the news in an interview with Spanish publication El Mundo on May 23. 83-year-old Egyptian-born Sharif rose to international stardom with his role as Sharif Ali in David Lean’s 1962 epic “Lawrence of Arabia” (his first English-language film). He followed the breakthrough performance with the title role in Lean’s “Doctor Zhivago,” an adaptation of Boris Pasternak’s novel (co-starring Julie Christie). He then portrayed Fanny Brice’s husband, professional gambler Nicky Arnstein, in “Funny Girl” alongside Barbra Streisand. He has been nominated for an Academy Award and has won three Golden Globe Awards.