Biography
Umer Sharif (birth name Mohammad Umer), emerged as Pakistan’s iconic “King of Comedy.” He began performing on stage at age 14 under the name Umer Zarif before adopting the surname “Sharif” inspired by Egyptian actor Omar Sharif. He pioneered mainstream stage dramas in Pakistan from the 1970s onward. Shows like Bakra Qistoon Pay and Buddha Ghar Pe Hai became grassroots classics. He performed prolifically across Pakistan and abroad, building a devoted fan base. In television and film, he wore many hats—actor, writer, producer, director, and singer. His landmark film Mr. 420 (1992) saw him excel as lead actor, director, scriptwriter, and songwriter. The film swept six Nigar Awards, including best film, best actor, best director, screenplay, and script. He also directed the film Mr. Charlie in 1993, earning further acclaim. Sharif won a unique sweep of four Nigar Awards in a single year, alongside multiple Graduate Awards. The state honored him with the Tamgha‑e‑Imtiaz in recognition of his transformative contribution to comedy and entertainment. Through television, he was host of The Shareef Show and Umer Sharif vs Umer Sharif where he embodied countless comic characters. Later, he was one of the panel judges for The Great Indian Laughter Challenge so that his celebrity grew to become accepted widely as a mentor and an ambassador of entertainment in Pakistan and India. Sharif was also the founder of the Umer Sharif Welfare Trust with the intention of establishing free health-care facilities in Pakistan. Beyond laughter, that effort mirrored his selfless nature.
In late 2021, Sharif became seriously ill. While he was in his journey from the us for treatment, the government arranged for a medical air ambulance to be dispatched to Germany. He passed away while in the Nuremberg hospital on October 2, 2021, at the age of 66. Hundreds attended the funeral in Karachi in Clifton, and prayers were offered by many before the final resting took place at Abdullah Shah Ghazi cemetery with final prayers offered at Umer Sharif Park. The final result of his death left a feeling of deep despair across the country; there were tributes from prime ministers, political leaders, and many fellow artists. Umer Sharif still today represents a heritage chapter in cultural history in Pakistan. He changed the game of stage comedy, rejuvenated local cinema, and developed a generation of comedians. Dante Lilies
