This page will contain news stories about Laurence Olivier, as they become available.Laurence OlivierLaurence Olivier, as photographed in 1939 by Carl Van VechtenLaurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OM (May 22, 1907 - July 11, 1989) was an English actor and director, esteemed by many as the greatest actor of the 20th century. LifeLaurence Olivier was born in Dorking, Surrey. He attended the Central School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art. It was his father, a clergyman, who decided that Laurence - or Kim as the family called him - would become an actor. His stage breakthrough was in Noel Coward's Private Lives (in 1930), and in Romeo and Juliet (in 1935) alternating the roles of Romeo and Mercutio with John Gielgud. His film breakthrough was his portrayal of Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights in 1939. He was founding director (1962-1973) of the National Theatre of Great Britain for which he recieved his peerage. On July 25, 1930, he married Jill Esmond, whom Olivier biographer Donald Spoto described as "a diffident lesbian." They had one son, Tarquin, and were divorced on January 29, 1940. By 1938, he had embarked on a torrid affair with Vivien Leigh, who was also married. Finally divorced by their respective spouses, they married on August 31, 1940 at San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, with Katharine Hepburn as the maid of honour. They were divorced on December 2, 1960. Olivier married Joan Plowright on March 17, 1961. Esmond named Leigh as co-respondent in her divorce on grounds of adultery. Leigh named Plowright as co-respondent in her divorce, also on grounds of adultery. Plowright said "I have always resented the comments that it was I who was the homewrecker of Larry's marriage to Vivien Leigh. Danny Kaye was attached to Larry far earlier than I," poking fun at Spoto's claim that Kaye and Olivier were lovers. He was reportedly also intimate with playwright Noel Coward. In his book "Melting the Stone: A Journey Around My Father", Olivier and Plowright's son, Richard, described Laurence as being more interested in his work than in his children, and would actually become depressed when he didn't have a job. Among his honours are 10 Oscar nominations. He won both Best Actor and Best Picture (as the producer) for Hamlet in 1949, and two honorary Oscars (1947, for Henry V; 1979). He was created a Knight Bachelor in 1947, and a life peer in 1970 (the first actor to be accorded this distinction) as Baron Olivier, of Brighton in the County of Sussex, and was admitted to the Order of Merit in 1981. After the opening of the National Theatre Olivier became concerned that he had not done enough to provide for his family after he died. As a result between 1973 and 1986 when his health gave out he did many films and TV specials on a 'paycheck' basis on the condition that he would not have to promote the film on release. He died in Steyning, West Sussex, England, from complications of a neuromuscular disorder and cancer at the age of 82. Lord Olivier is interred in Westminster Abbey, London, England. The Laurence Olivier Awards, organised by The Society of London Theatre, were renamed in his honour in 1984. Fifteen years after his death, Olivier once again received star billing in a movie. Through the use of computer graphics, footage of him as a young man was integrated into the 2004 film Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow in which Olivier "played" the villain. Acting appearances in London's West End
Acting appearances on Broadway
Productions on Broadway
Broadway directing credits
Movie credits
Television credits
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Lord Olivier is interred in Westminster Abbey, London, England. He died in Steyning, West Sussex, England, from complications of a neuromuscular disorder and cancer at the age of 82. As a result between 1973 and 1986 when his health gave out he did many films and TV specials on a 'paycheck' basis on the condition that he would not have to promote the film on release. After the opening of the National Theatre Olivier became concerned that he had not done enough to provide for his family after he died. He was created a Knight Bachelor in 1947, and a life peer in 1970 (the first actor to be accorded this distinction) as Baron Olivier, of Brighton in the County of Sussex, and was admitted to the Order of Merit in 1981. He won both Best Actor and Best Picture (as the producer) for Hamlet in 1949, and two honorary Oscars (1947, for Henry V; 1979). Among his honours are 10 Oscar nominations. In his book "Melting the Stone: A Journey Around My Father", Olivier and Plowright's son, Richard, described Laurence as being more interested in his work than in his children, and would actually become depressed when he didn't have a job. He was reportedly also intimate with playwright Noel Coward. Danny Kaye was attached to Larry far earlier than I," poking fun at Spoto's claim that Kaye and Olivier were lovers. Plowright said "I have always resented the comments that it was I who was the homewrecker of Larry's marriage to Vivien Leigh. Leigh named Plowright as co-respondent in her divorce, also on grounds of adultery. Esmond named Leigh as co-respondent in her divorce on grounds of adultery. Olivier married Joan Plowright on March 17, 1961. They were divorced on December 2, 1960. Finally divorced by their respective spouses, they married on August 31, 1940 at San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, with Katharine Hepburn as the maid of honour. By 1938, he had embarked on a torrid affair with Vivien Leigh, who was also married. On July 25, 1930, he married Jill Esmond, whom Olivier biographer Donald Spoto described as "a diffident lesbian." They had one son, Tarquin, and were divorced on January 29, 1940. He was founding director (1962-1973) of the National Theatre of Great Britain for which he recieved his peerage. His film breakthrough was his portrayal of Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights in 1939. His stage breakthrough was in Noel Coward's Private Lives (in 1930), and in Romeo and Juliet (in 1935) alternating the roles of Romeo and Mercutio with John Gielgud. It was his father, a clergyman, who decided that Laurence - or Kim as the family called him - would become an actor. He attended the Central School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art. Laurence Olivier was born in Dorking, Surrey. Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OM (May 22, 1907 - July 11, 1989) was an English actor and director, esteemed by many as the greatest actor of the 20th century. Lost Empires - 1986. Peter the Great - 1986. The Ebony Tower - 1984. The Last Days of Pompeii - 1984. King Lear - 1984. A Talent for Murder - 1984. Wagner - 1983. Johnson - 1983. Halpern and Mr. Mr. A Voyage Round My Father - 1982. Brideshead Revisited - 1981. Daphne Laureola - 1978. Come Back, Little Sheba - 1977. Jesus of Nazareth - 1977. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - 1976. The Collection - 1976. Love Among the Ruins - 1975. The World At War - 1974. The Merchant of Venice - 1973. Long Day's Journey Into Night - 1973. David Copperfield - 1969. Male of the Species - 1969. The Power and the Glory - 1961. The Moon and Sixpence - 1959. John Gabriel Borkman - 1958. Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow - 2004 (via computer-manipulated stock footage). War Requiem - 1989. Wild Geese II - 1985. The Bounty - 1984. The Jigsaw Man - 1983. Clash of the Titans - 1981. Inchon - 1981. The Jazz Singer - 1980. Dracula - 1979. A Little Romance - 1979. The Boys from Brazil - 1978 - Oscar nomination: Best Actor. The Betsy - 1978. A Bridge Too Far - 1977. The Seven-Per-Cent Solution - 1976. Marathon Man - 1976 - Oscar nomination: Best Supporting Actor. The Rehearsal - 1974. Lady Caroline Lamb - 1972. Sleuth - 1972 - Oscar nomination: Best Actor. Nicholas and Alexandra - 1971. Three Sisters - 1970. Battle of Britain - 1969. The Dance of Death - 1969. Oh! What a Lovely War - 1969. The Shoes of the Fisherman - 1968. Romeo and Juliet - 1968. Khartoum - 1966. Othello - 1965 - Oscar nomination: Best Actor. Bunny Lake Is Missing - 1965. Uncle Vanya - 1963. Term of Trial - 1962. Spartacus - 1960. The Entertainer - 1960 - Oscar nomination: Best Actor. The Devil's Disciple - 1959. The Prince and the Showgirl - 1957. Richard III - 1955 - Oscar nomination: Best Actor. The Beggar's Opera - 1953. Carrie - 1952. The Magic Box - 1951. Hamlet - 1948 - 2 Oscars: Best Actor, Best Picture; also nominated for Best Director. The Chronicle History of King Henry the Fifth with his Battell at Agincourt in France - 1944 - 2 Oscar nominations: Best Actor, Best Picture (also Academy Honorary Award). This Happy Breed - 1944. The Demi-Paradise - 1943. Forty-Ninth Parallel - 1941. That Hamilton Woman - 1941. Pride and Prejudice - 1940. 21 Days - 1940. Rebecca - 1940 - Oscar nomination: Best Actor. Wuthering Heights - 1939 - Oscar nomination: Best Actor. Q Planes - 1939. The Divorce of Lady X - 1938. Fire Over England - 1937. As You Like It - 1936. Conquest of the Air - 1936. Moscow Nights - 1936. No Funny Business - 1933. Perfect Understanding - 1933. Westward Passage - 1932. Potiphar's Wife - 1931. The Yellow Ticket - 1931. Friends and Lovers - 1931. Too Many Crooks - 1930. The Temporary Widow - 1930. Filumena - 1980 (director). Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead - 1967-8 (producer, director). The Tumbler - 1960 (director). Venus Observed - 1952 (producer and director). Romeo and Juliet - 1940 (also acted, composed, produced, and designed). Romeo and Juliet - 1940 (also producer, composer, director, and designer). Venus Observed - 1952 (producer and director). Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead - 1967-8 (producer, director). Antony and Cleopatra - 1952 (also acted). Daphne Laureola - 1950 (producer). Romeo and Juliet - 1940 (also acted, composed, directed, and designed). Becket - 1960-1. The Entertainer - 1958. Antony and Cleopatra - 1952 (also producer). The Critic - 1946. Oedipus Rex - 1946. Uncle Vanya - 1946. King Henry IV, Part II - 1946. King Henry IV, Part I - 1946. Romeo and Juliet - 1940 (also producer, composer, director, and designer). No Time for Comedy - 1939. The Green Bay Tree - 1933. Private Lives - 1931. Murder on the Second Floor - 1929. Time (as hologram) - 1986. Tribute to the Lady - 1974. The Party - 1973. Saturday, Sunday, Monday - 1973. Long Day's Journey Into Night - 1971. The Merchant of Venice - 1970. Home and Beauty - 1969. A Flea in her Ear - 1967. The Dance of Death - 1967. Love for Love - 1965. The Master Builder - 1964. Othello - 1964. The Recruiting Officer - 1963. Uncle Vanya - 1963. Semi-Detached - 1962. Rhinoceros - 1960. Titus Andronicus - 1957. The Entertainer - 1957. The Sleeping Prince - 1953. The Sid Field Tribute - 1951. Antony and Cleopatra - 1951. Caesar and Cleopatra - 1951. Venus Observed - 1950. Antigone - 1949. Richard III - 1949. The School for Scandal - 1949. King Lear - 1946. Oedipus & The Critic - 1945. Henry IV Part 2 - 1945. Henry IV Part 1 - 1945. Uncle Vanya - 1945. Richard III - 1944. Arms and the Man - 1944. Peer Gynt - 1944. Elsie Fogerty Jubilee Matine - 1942. Henry V (scene) - 1942. Here's To Our Enterprise - 1938. Coriolanus - 1938. The King of Nowhere - 1938. Othello -1938. Macbeth - 1937. Henry V - 1937. Twelfth Night - 1937. Hamlet - 1937. Bees on the Boatdeck - 1936. Romeo and Juliet - 1935. Golden Arrow - 1935. The Down and Outs Matinee - 1935. Notices (sketch) - 1935. November Afternoon (sketch) - 1935. Ringmaster - 1935. The Winning Post - 1934. November Afternoon (sketch) - 1934. A Kiss for Cinderella - 1934. Journey's End - 1934. Theatre Royal - 1934. Queen of Scots - 1934. Biography - 1934. The Rats of Norway - 1931. Some Other Private Lives (sketch) 1930. Private Lives -1930. After All - 1930. 100 Not Out (sketch) 1930. The Last Enemy - 1929. The Stranger Within - 1929. Paris Bound - 1929. The Circle of Chalk - 1929. Prize Giving at Woodside House School (sketch) - 1929. Beau Geste - 1929. Journey's End - 1928. The Dark Path - 1928. Paul Among The Jews - 1928. Bird in Hand - 1928. The Taming of the Shrew - 1928. Harold - 1928. Back to Methuselah - 1928. Macbeth - 1928. The Adding Machine - 1928. The Song - 1926. The Merchant of Venice - 1926. The Marvellous History of Saint Bernard - 1926. The Cenci - 1926. Oedipus Tyrannus - 1926. Henry VIII - 1925. Henry IV Part 2 - 1925. The Merry Wives of Windsor - 1924. |