Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 19, 1995                   TAG: 9505190047
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BOB THOMAS ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES                                 LENGTH: Medium

SHARIF IS LITTLE CHANGED SINCE HIS ROLE IN 'DOCTOR ZHIVAGO'

``Lawrence of Arabia'' in 1962 brought Omar Sharif instant stardom, an Academy Award nomination, and an international career that continues to this day. Three years later, he played the title role in another David Lean epic, ``Doctor Zhivago.''

The film is observing its 30th anniversary with the theatrical release of a fully restored print and a digital soundtrack. Turner Entertainment and MGM launched the re-release with a gala screening at the Motion Picture Academy theater, attended by cast members Sharif, Geraldine Chaplin and Rod Steiger.

Sharif appeared for an interview during his visit here, and he seemed little changed at 63. Grayer, of course, but dashingly handsome and with his wholesome, candid charm intact.

He has grown more philosophical with the years, analyzing his life with startling honesty.

``Being on the move for 30 years, I have no friends,'' he remarked. ``Hundreds of acquaintances, yes. But real friends, no. The only friends I have are the ones I knew in Egypt when I was young. For that reason, I moved back to Cairo on March 21.

``Yes, Cairo is a difficult city. When I left, there were 3 million people. Now there are 15 million. The city is dirty and overcrowded. But when the lights go on at night, you don't see the dirt. It is a beautiful city all over again.

``And I see my friends there. Good friends, ones you can pick right up with, no matter how many years have passed.

``People were amazed when I gave up the apartment I had in Paris for 20 years. It was easy. Paris has become a difficult city to live in. I still go there, but I am much happier in Cairo.''

Of Lebanese parentage, he was born Michael Shalhoub in Alexandria and attended college in Cairo. When he converted to Islam, he took the name Omar El-Sharif. He worked in the family's lumber business until he was cast in a 1953 film. Soon he was Egypt's most popular star, and he caught the eye of Lean.

Sharif became an international star in good films (``Doctor Zhivago,'' ``Funny Girl'') and bad (``Che!'' ``Oh Heavenly Dog!''). Lately, he admitted, his work is mostly in television miniseries.

``With my age and accent, I'm not easy to cast in movies,'' he said with no hint of self-pity. ``When you are over 60, producers aren't interested. Most of the pictures today are aimed at the kids. Action is what they want.

``No matter what the picture, I have to be a foreigner. It's impossible for me to play an American.''

He was reminded of his Nicky Arnstein, the charming gambler who was Barbra Streisand's love in ``Funny Girl'' and ``Funny Lady.'' He laughed as he recalled how he had tried to mimic a New York Jewish accent. The director, William Wyler, stopped him cold and told him to talk naturally. ``We'll call it a Boston accent,'' he said.

Sharif's memories of ``Doctor Zhivago'' were happy ones despite the 13-month schedule (three months preparation, 10 months shooting). Wasn't it cold?

``No,'' he said. ``Most of the picture was shot in Spain with artificial snow. The only real cold was when we shot for two months in Finland on a frozen lake.

``One day we were filming on the lake, and the lunch wagon arrived. Everyone was standing around, and we suddenly discovered that we were slowly sinking. The heat in the lunch wagon was melting the ice. We got out of there in a hurry.''

You think of ``Doctor Zhivago'' as being an immediate success. But it wasn't, Sharif said.

``We finished the picture on Oct. 16, and David had promised MGM he would have it ready for a Dec. 20 release, in time to qualify for the Oscars. He worked with 13 editors for two months and made the deadline.

``The critics didn't like the picture, nor did audiences. David took another look at it in theaters and said, `I cut it all wrong.' MGM gave him permission to re-edit the film and change the music, and the new version was sent to the theaters. It caught on immediately and became a big hit.''

Sharif has made millions during his career, and lost millions as well. No, not at bridge - he is a world-class player and has written a book and newspaper column on the subject.

``My money went to gambling,'' he sighed. ``When you're living in hotels all over the world, there's not much to do but go to the casinos. How alluring they are! Beautiful palaces, bright lights, lovely women, exciting sounds. And then the thrill of betting your money and hoping luck will strike you. That was my downfall.''