Omar Sharif Jr. bravely opens up about sexual assault: "I felt trapped in a body I couldn't control"

[Behind the Aegis]

Actor Omar Sharif Jr. has detailed his most tumultuous life in his new memoir, A Tale of Two Omars: A Memoir of Family, Revolution, and Coming Out During the Arab Spring. In short, he doesn’t hold back on the trauma.

Sharif, 37, enjoys a successful career as a model and actor, having appeared in a memorable sketch at the 2011 Academy Awards, and in print ads for Calvin Klein and Coca-Cola.

He came out as gay in a 2012 essay in The Advocate, in which he detailed the treatment of LGBTQ people in Egypt and pleaded for more acceptance of queer people within the Arab world.

Now Sharif discusses the fallout of his coming out, life with his famous grandfather, and the personal struggles that have impacted his career.

USA Today reports some of the biggest revelations, including that the government of Egypt attempted to strip him of citizenship in 2012 following his coming out, not only because he was gay, but because he also revealed his Jewish heritage. He moved to Los Angeles shortly thereafter.



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[chowder66]

1. I hate that he's been through so much. I hope writing his book was cathartic in some way.

Stand strong Omar!!

[hlthe2b]

2. Good looking (and brave) guy. I don't see the resemblance, though.

[Behind the Aegis]

3. Though a "Jr", he is actually the grandson of Sharif.

It is a bit confusing, as his father has a very different name.

Here is the elder Sharif from about the same time:

[PatSeg]

7. Such a good looking family

[Scrivener7]

4. The face shape is there. But I don't see it in the features either.

[Hekate]

6. Genes are funny that way. Best example I can use from a "public family" is Barack Obama...

Photos of him on his first visit to Africa to meet his father’s family show an entire group of folks with round faces, and one young man with a long jaw and narrow face. Side by side photos of an adult Barack O next to his mother’s father show a striking family resemblance in the shape of their heads and faces.

Regardless, the Sharif men, grandfather and grandson, are gorgeous.

[leftieNanner]

5. He has his grandfather's chin!

Handsome guy.

[2Gingersnaps]

8. Beautiful man,

just like his grandfather. Best wishes for him.