Legendary comedian Umer Shareef, who was on his way to the United States for treatment of cardiac ailments, passed away in Germany, leaving millions to remember his decades-long entertainment work.
He was flown out of Pakistan on an air ambulance on September 28 for a scheduled surgery in the United States next week.
But his condition further deteriorated, and he was rushed to a hospital in Germany during a stopover.
“With deep sorrow, it is announced that Mr. Umer Sharif has passed away,” Mohammad Faisal, Pakistan’s ambassador to Germany, wrote on Twitter.
Shareef’s medical condition hit the national spotlight when he made a video appeal to Prime Minister Imran Khan to help him secure a visa to travel abroad for medical treatment.
With his versatile talent as actor, comedian, director, and producer, Shareef ruled the Pakistani airwaves, TV screens and theater, and was often showered praise as the best comedian of his era. His performances drew huge attendance.
Shareef had suffered a heart attack in August and according to his close friend, Pervaiz Kaifi, he had gone through two heart bypasses.
His death led to countless tributes from national figures, artists, and social media users as they recalled his plays, interviews, and appearances in many forms of the media.
Prime Minister Imran Khan and opposition leaders Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were among paid tribute to the memory of the artist.
“He possessed many talents and enjoyed a distinct position in the field of acting and comedy,” Imran Khan said in a statement, adding that Sharif’s contribution to the art world will be remembered for years to come.
Shareef was born in 1955 in the southern port city of Karachi and gained huge success during the 1980s.
Although he performed brilliantly in films and TV plays his forte remained the stage,
Along with Moin Akhtar, another comedy giant, who passed away in 2011, Shareef took the stage performances to an unprecedented level, making theater a source of income for their and many fellow actors and actresses.
He was also popular in India, where his unique style of performance and witting remarks won the hearts of art lovers. Pakistanis in countries around the world greeted him and cheered his performances as he brought smiles and laughter to the immigrant communities.
