Gulf Today Report
Pakistan’s legendary comedian Umer Sharif passed away in Germany on Saturday after battling serious health problems. He was 66.
Sharif's death was confirmed to Dawn.com by Arts Council of Pakistan's president Ahmed Shah, who said he had spoken to Sharif’s family members.
Later, Pakistan's ambassador to Germany, Dr Mohammad Faisal, also confirmed the news of Sharif's demise.
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"With deep sorrow it is announced that Mr Umer Sharif has passed away in Germany," he tweeted. "Our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Our CG is present at the hospital to assist the family in every way."
Umer was a Pakistani actor, comedian, director, producer and television personality. He is regarded as one of the greatest comedians in the sub-continent.
Mohammad Umer was born on April 19, 1955, in an Urdu speaking family in Liaquatabad, Karachi.
In 1974, Umer started his career from Karachi as a stage performer at the age of 14. He joined theatre, using the stage name Umer Zarif but later renamed that to Umer Sharif. Some of his extremely popular comedy stage plays were 1989's Bakra Qistoon Pe and Buddha Ghar Pe Hai.
Umer Sharif in a hospital in Karachi.
Sharif became a very popular star during this period. Much of the success came from the fact that he started to record his stage shows and his videotapes were rented out in a similar manner to movies. Yes Sir Eid and No Sir Eid were among the first stage plays to come out on video.