LOS ANGELES (KRON) — Academy Award nominated actor Omar Sharif is battling Alzeheimer’s disease.
The sad news was confirmed to the Associated Press by his agent Steve Kenis on Monday.
Sharif’s son, Tarek Sharif, had previously revealed the diagnosis in an interview with Spanish newspaper El Mundo on May 23.
Kenis did not reveal any other details about the 83-year-old legendary actor or his care.
The Egyptian-born Sharif rose to international stardom with his role in the 1962 epic “Lawrence of Arabia”- Sharif’s first English-language film. He earned an Oscar nomination for his turn as Sherif Ali in David Lean’s iconic film opposite Peter O’Toole.
Sharif followed that nomination with the title role in Lean’s “Doctor Zhivago, co-starring Julie Christie.
He then played the dashing role of Nicky Arnstein, the love interest of Barbra Streisand’s Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl.” No only did Sharif act in the memorable role, he also sang in the film.
Sharif continued working, finishing his last film in 2013.