Sharif was born in Liaquatabad, Karahci as Muhammad Umar ( He changed his name to omer sharif when he joined the theater). He started his career in entertainment in 1974, when at age 14 he became a stage performer in Karachi.

Early on, sharif worked as a background musician with a group of friends, playing at local parties and functions. Sharif became one of the best-known stage performers in Pakistan after his extremely and popular 1989 comedy stage plays Bakra Qistoon Pay and Buddha Ghar pe hai. In both he starred with Moin Akhter, another well-known Pakistani actor. Sharif was one of the first actors who started to record his shows for video rentals, which played a major part in his success. Yes Sir Eid, No sir Eid  and Bakra Qistoon Pay were the first two stage shows to come out on video respectively.

Sharif attained considerable fame and is sometimes called "the king of comedy" in South Asia. He was rated the Best comedian ever By Indian audiences. On comedy Circus, Indian comedians Johnny Lever and Raju Srivastav recongnised sharif as The god of comedy. His videos are sold at stores across India.

Sharif was a guest judge for one of the episodes of the Indian comedy show The great Indian Laughter Challenge, alongside Navjot Singh Siddhu and Shekhar Suman. Sharif also hosts the sharif show, where he interviews film and television actors, entertainers, musicians, and politicians. He has also served as Master of Ceremonies for local and overseas events.

For the 50-year anniversary of Pakistan's Independence, Sharif performed a play called Umer sharif Haazir ho. In the play a representative from every occupation was called into court and asked what they had done for Pakistan in the past 50 years. The lawyer's Association stated a case against Sharif as a result.................