Omar Sharif...yes that Omar Sharif under fire for slapping woman

I know, it seems impossible that a well-known actor, loved and respected for his many great roles over the decades would suddenly show his hateful side.

Welcome to Mel Gibson country.

From SF Gate October 27

Omar Sharif slaps woman at film fest

Egyptian movie star Omar Sharif shocked onlookers at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival in Qatar on Thursday when he appeared to slap a woman in the face.

The “Lawrence of Arabia” star, 79, was conducting interviews and posing for photographs on the red carpet at the event when the woman reportedly offended Sharif with a remark. He suddenly became angry, ranted at the woman in Arabic and then lashed out at her.

One eyewitness took to Twitter.com to blog about the alleged altercation, writing, “Omar Sharif just hit a woman. Very stupidly, in front of a camera.”

But the woman brushed off the incident and posed for a photo with a calmer Sharif moments later.

Representatives for the veteran film star have yet to comment.

Watch the video at the SF Gate site.