Remembering the theatrical and film titan Laurence Olivier
His work both on stage and in film, where his portrayals of Shakespearean characters became legendary. He was born on this day in 1907
Remembering the theatrical and film titan Laurence Olivier
Laurence Olivier was born on May 22, 1907, in Dorking, Surrey, England. Raised in a family with a strong clerical background—his father was a High Anglican priest—Olivier was introduced to the world of performance at a young age. His early education at the All Saints Choir School in London and later at St. Edward’s School, Oxford, nurtured his burgeoning interest in acting.
Olivier’s professional acting career began in the late 1920s. He joined the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, where he honed his craft and gained valuable stage experience. His breakout role came in 1930 when he starred as Anthony Cavendish in Noël Coward’s “The Vortex.” This performance brought him to the attention of London’s West End, establishing him as a rising star.
His work both on stage and in film, where his portrayals of Shakespearean characters became legendary. Some of his most memorable roles include “Hamlet” (1948) – Olivier directed and starred in this film adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, it won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Olivier, making him the first actor to direct himself to an Oscar win, “Henry V” (1944) – another Shakespeare adaptation that Olivier directed and starred in, this film was notable for its vibrant Technicolor and received an honorary Oscar for its outstanding achievement in production, “Richard III” (1955) – Olivier’s portrayal of the scheming, titular king is often considered one of the finest performances of his career and he also directed this film, which remains a classic of British cinema, “Wuthering Heights” (1939) – Olivier’s performance as Heathcliff in this adaptation of Emily Brontë’s novel earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and “Rebecca” (1940) – directed by Alfred Hitchcock, where Olivier starred as the brooding Maxim de Winter, a role that solidified his status in Hollywood.
In the later years of his career, Olivier continued to deliver compelling performances both on stage and in film. He took on diverse roles in movies such as “Marathon Man” (1976), where he played a chilling Nazi dentist, a performance that earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He also appeared in “The Boys from Brazil” (1978) and “Clash of the Titans” (1981).
Olivier’s contributions to theater were equally significant. He became the founding director of the National Theatre Company in London in 1963, serving in this role for a decade and greatly influencing British theater.
Laurence Olivier passed away on July 11, 1989, at his home in Ashurst, West Sussex, England. He was 82 years old. Laurence Olivier’s career spanned over six decades, and his impact on both stage and screen was profound and remains celebrated as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century.
Watch one of Laurence Olivier’s most memorable scenes in “Richard III,” 1955
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