Sydney Omarr

Sydney Omarr, born Sidney Kimmelman, was an American astrologer who gained significant recognition for his widely syndicated daily Sun Sign Horoscope column and his annual zodiac forecast books. His career in astrology began after an early interest in magic and numerology, the latter of which influenced his name change and initial writings. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he developed his radio show "Sydney Omarr's Almanac" and claimed to have predicted the end of the war. Following his military service, Omarr pursued journalism before dedicating himself fully to astrology.

Omarr's astrological work reached millions through his newspaper columns, which appeared in over 200 publications, and his annual books, which sold over 50 million copies. He also authored books on numerology and astrology, including "My World of Astrology" and his autobiography "Answer in the Sky." He was a media personality, appearing on television shows and associating with notable figures. Despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis later in life, which led to his eventual paralysis and blindness, he continued to write horoscopes personally until his death in 2003. His work continues to be published by proteges.

Born Sidney Kimmelman in Philadelphia to a Jewish family, Omarr developed an early fascination with magic. His interest in numerology significantly shaped his personal and professional life. At age 15, inspired by a film character, he adopted the name Sydney Omarr, altering his birth name and adding an extra 'r' based on numerological principles. This led him to write books on numerology, such as "Thought Dial," though he found it difficult to earn a living solely from this practice. During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at 17, deliberately choosing his enlistment date for its numerological significance. He was later stationed in California and claimed to have served in Okinawa, Japan, where he hosted a radio program focused on astrology for the troops.

After his military service, Omarr studied journalism and worked for United Press and CBS. He transitioned to a full-time career in astrology, becoming a prominent figure through his daily Sun Sign Horoscope column, which was published in more than 200 newspapers. His annual forecast books for each zodiac sign achieved immense popularity, selling over 50 million copies. Omarr also wrote numerous books on astrology and self-published his first book on numerology. He believed in past lives as an astrologer and could reportedly calculate full planetary horoscopes mentally. By the 1970s, he was a regular on radio and television programs and was acquainted with celebrities and authors. He was briefly married to Jeraldine Saunders, the creator of "The Love Boat."

In 1971, Omarr was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The disease progressively affected his health, leading to blindness in the early 1990s and eventual paralysis. Despite these challenges, he continued to personally write his daily horoscope columns, often completing them several weeks in advance. Sydney Omarr passed away on January 2, 2003, from a heart attack in Santa Monica, California. His work continues through his astrological guides, which are still published by his proteges. He is mentioned in Thomas Pynchon's novel "Inherent Vice."