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. That was the title character in James Whale's The Invisible Man. It was his distinctive voice which had won him the role. He died in Steyning, West Sussex, England, from complications of a neuromuscular disorder and cancer at the age of 82. It was ironic that Rains' first Hollywood role was as the star of a movie in which he did not appear until the very end. 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. Later Rains taught at the institution, working with John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier, among others. After the opening of the National Theatre Olivier became concerned that he had not done enough to provide for his family after he died. Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, founder of The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, recognized Rains' acting talent and paid for the elocution lessons he needed to succeed as an actor. 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. Gassed during World War I, he was almost blind in one eye for the rest of his life. He won both Best Actor and Best Picture (as the producer) for Hamlet in 1949, and two honorary Oscars (1947, for Henry V; 1979). Rains was born in London. Among his honours are 10 Oscar nominations. Claude Rains (November 10, 1889 - May 30, 1967) was an English actor. 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. Battle of the Worlds. He was reportedly also intimate with playwright Noel Coward. Build Thy House. Danny Kaye was attached to Larry far earlier than I," poking fun at Spoto's claim that Kaye and Olivier were lovers. The Invisible Man. Plowright said "I have always resented the comments that it was I who was the homewrecker of Larry's marriage to Vivien Leigh. Crime Without Passion. Leigh named Plowright as co-respondent in her divorce, also on grounds of adultery. The Man Who Reclaimed His Head. Esmond named Leigh as co-respondent in her divorce on grounds of adultery. The Clairvoyant. Olivier married Joan Plowright on March 17, 1961. The Mystery of Edwin Drood. They were divorced on December 2, 1960. The Last Outpost. 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. Hearts Divided. By 1938, he had embarked on a torrid affair with Vivien Leigh, who was also married. Anthony Adverse. 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. Stolen Holiday. He was founding director (1962-1973) of the National Theatre of Great Britain for which he recieved his peerage. The Prince and the Pauper. His film breakthrough was his portrayal of Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights in 1939. They Won't Forget. 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. White Banners. It was his father, a clergyman, who decided that Laurence - or Kim as the family called him - would become an actor. The Adventures of Robin Hood. He attended the Central School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art. Gold Is Where You Find It. Laurence Olivier was born in Dorking, Surrey. Four Daughters. 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. They Made Me a Criminal. Lost Empires - 1986. Juarez. Peter the Great - 1986. Sons of Liberty. The Ebony Tower - 1984. Daughters Courageous. The Last Days of Pompeii - 1984. Smith Goes to Washington. King Lear - 1984. Mr. A Talent for Murder - 1984. Four Wives. Wagner - 1983. Saturday's Children. Johnson - 1983. The Sea Hawk. Halpern and Mr. The Lady with Red Hair. Mr. Four Mothers. A Voyage Round My Father - 1982. Jordan. Brideshead Revisited - 1981. Here Comes Mr. Daphne Laureola - 1978. The Wolf Man. Come Back, Little Sheba - 1977. Now, Voyager. Jesus of Nazareth - 1977. Casablanca. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - 1976. Moontide. The Collection - 1976. Kings Row. Love Among the Ruins - 1975. Forever and a Day. The World At War - 1974. Phantom of the Opera. The Merchant of Venice - 1973. Skeffington. Long Day's Journey Into Night - 1973. Mr. David Copperfield - 1969. Passage to Marseille. Male of the Species - 1969. Caesar and Cleopatra. The Power and the Glory - 1961. This Love of Ours. The Moon and Sixpence - 1959. Notorious. John Gabriel Borkman - 1958. Strange Holiday. Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow - 2004 (via computer-manipulated stock footage). Angel on My Shoulder. War Requiem - 1989. Deception. Wild Geese II - 1985. The Unsuspected. The Bounty - 1984. Rope of Sand. The Jigsaw Man - 1983. The Passionate Friends. Clash of the Titans - 1981. Song of Surrender. Inchon - 1981. Where Danger Lives. The Jazz Singer - 1980. The White Tower. Dracula - 1979. Sealed Cargo. A Little Romance - 1979. The Man Who Watched the Trains Go By. The Boys from Brazil - 1978 - Oscar nomination: Best Actor. Lisbon. The Betsy - 1978. The Pied Piper of Hamelin. A Bridge Too Far - 1977. This Earth Is Mine. The Seven-Per-Cent Solution - 1976. The Lost World. Marathon Man - 1976 - Oscar nomination: Best Supporting Actor. Battle of the Worlds. The Rehearsal - 1974. Lawrence of Arabia. Lady Caroline Lamb - 1972. Twilight of Honor. Sleuth - 1972 - Oscar nomination: Best Actor. The Greatest Story Ever Told. Nicholas and Alexandra - 1971. Smith Goes to Washington. Three Sisters - 1970. 1940 Nominated Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor Mr. Battle of Britain - 1969. 1944 Nominated Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor Casablanca. The Dance of Death - 1969. Skeffington. Oh! What a Lovely War - 1969. 1945 Nominated Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor Mr. The Shoes of the Fisherman - 1968. 1947 Nominated Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor Notorious. 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. |