Pakistani comedian Umer Sharif passed away in Germany at 66 years of age. He was boarded in an air ambulance on September 28 for treatment at a hospital in the US. His condition deteriorated on the way and he was admitted to a hospital in Germany during a stopover. He had been fighting for his life in Germany for the past few days.
This inimitable artist hadn’t been feeling well for more than a decade. Diabetes has weakened his body. And till his last days, his humour never lost its edge.
Known for his presence of mind and razor-sharp wit, Sharif was born on April 19, 1955. He started his career as a stage performer in 1974 at the age of 14. He released his plays on audio cassettes for the first time in 1980. He is known for stage plays such as Bakra Qistoon Pe and Buddha Ghar Pe Ha.
He received national awards for best director and best actor in 1992 for Mr. 420. He was also awarded ten Nigar Awards. He was also a recipient of the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz for his contributions in film, television and stage drama. He has worked in showbiz for nearly 50 years and has performed in dozens of plays, stage theaters and live shows.
“It is definitely not difficult, though, to claim that there wouldn’t be any stage or film artist in the subcontinent who has influenced generations of comedians the way he has in the last four decades.” wrote fellow comedians on social media.
