Laurence Olivier, a name synonymous with theatrical brilliance, possessed an uncanny ability to breathe life into Shakespeare's characters, making the Bard's complex verse sound as natural as everyday speech. Born on May 22, 1907, in Dorking, Surrey, England, Olivier was the son of Agnes Louise (Crookenden) and Gerard Kerr Olivier, who served as a High Anglican priest. His lineage traces back to French Huguenot roots. Olivier's career not only spans over decades but also encompasses significant strides in both stage and screen acting.
Early Life and Career
Olivier's formative years unfolded in a strict religious environment which paved the way for his disciplined approach to his craft. He received his education from prestigious institutions where he cultivated his love for drama. His professional journey in acting began with a minor role in 1920, but it was his dual performance as "Romeo" and "Mercutio" in "Romeo and Juliet" in 1935 that truly marked Olivier's entry into the theatre's limelight.
This was only a glimpse of his potential, which fully surfaced with his portrayal of "Hamlet" in 1937 at Kronborg Castle, leading to a series of critically acclaimed performances. It was his magnetic screen presence in 1940, alongside his second wife in box office hits, that secured his status as a film star. The couple's on and off-screen partnership was legendary, each performance solidifying Olivier’s place in the annals of acting royalty. His accolades are numerous, including an Oscar among 42 wins and 36 nominations, recognizing his indelible impact on film and theatre.
Olivier's personal life was as eventful as his career, having been married thrice, with the last to actress Joan Plowright, with whom he had three children. His talents extended beyond acting; he was also a producer and director. Despite facing personal scandals and controversies, he also devoted time to philanthropy.
Olivier's death in 1989 left behind a legacy that reshaped the craft of acting. His name remains a benchmark for excellence in the performing arts. His distinctive voice, nuanced performances, and contributions to the stage and screen have cemented him as an eternal icon of Hollywood and theatre.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | War Requiem | The Old Soldier |
| 1986 | Lost Empires (TV Mini Series) | Harry Burrard |
| 1986 | Peter the Great (TV Mini Series) | King William III of Orange |
| 1985 | Paul Hardcastle: Just for Money (Music Video) | Narrator |
| 1985 | Wild Geese II | Rudolf Hess |
| 1984 | The Ebony Tower (TV Movie) | Henry Breasley |
| 1984 | The Last Days of Pompeii (TV Mini Series) | Gaius |
| 1984 | The Bounty | Admiral Hood |
| 1984 | A Talent for Murder (TV Movie) | Dr. Anthony Wainwright |
| 1983 | Wagner (TV Mini Series) | Pfeuffer |
| 1983 | The Jigsaw Man | Adm. Sir Gerald Scaith |
| 1983 | Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson (TV Movie) | Joe Halpern |
| 1983 | King Lear (TV Movie) | King Lear |
| 1982 | A Voyage Round My Father (TV Movie) | Clifford Mortimer |
| 1981 | Brideshead Revisited (TV Mini Series) | Lord Marchmain |
| 1981 | Clash of the Titans | Zeus |
| 1981 | Inchon | Gen. Douglas MacArthur |
| 1980 | The Jazz Singer | Cantor Rabinovitch |
| 1979 | Dracula | Prof. Abraham Van Helsing |
| 1979 | A Little Romance | Julius |
| 1978 | The Boys from Brazil | Ezra Lieberman |
| 1978 | The Betsy | Number One |
| 1978 | Daphne Laureola (TV Movie) | Sir Joseph |
| 1978 | Saturday Sunday Monday (TV Movie) | Antonio |
| 1977 | Come Back, Little Sheba (TV Movie) | Doc |
| 1977 | *A Bridge Too Far* | Doctor Spaander |
| 1977 | Jesus of Nazareth (TV Mini Series) | Nicodemus |
| 1976 | Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (TV Movie) | Big Daddy |
| 1976 | The Seven-Per-Cent Solution | Professor James Moriarty (as Sir Laurence Olivier) |
| 1976 | Marathon Man | Dr. Christian Szell |
| 1976 | Great Performances (TV Series) | Harry |
| 1975 | Love Among the Ruins (TV Movie) | Sir Arthur Glanville-Jones |
| 1973 | The Merchant of Venice (TV Movie) | Shylock |
| 1969–1973 | ITV Saturday Night Theatre (TV Series) | James Tyrone Sr. | Narrator |
| 1972 | Sleuth | Andrew Wyke |
| 1972 | Lady Caroline Lamb | Duke of Wellington |
| 1971 | Nicholas and Alexandra | Count Witte |
| 1970 | Three Sisters | The Doctor |
| 1970 | David Copperfield (TV Movie) | Mr. Creakle |
| 1969 | The Battle of Britain | Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding |
| 1969 | The Dance of Death | Edgar |
| 1969 | Oh! What a Lovely War | Field-Marshal Sir John French |
| 1969 | Male of the Species (TV Movie) | Narrator |
| 1968 | The Shoes of the Fisherman | Premier Piotr Ilyich Kamenev (as Sir Laurence Olivier) |
| 1968 | Romeo and Juliet | Narrator | Lord Montague | Complementary Role (voice, uncredited) |
| 1967 | Uncle Vanya (TV Movie) | Dr. Mihail Lwowitch Astrow |
| 1967 | NET Playhouse (TV Series) | Dr. Astrov |
| 1966 | Khartoum | The Mahdi |
| 1965 | Othello | Othello |
| 1965 | Bunny Lake Is Missing | Superintendent Newhouse |
| 1963 | Uncle Vanya | Dr. Astrov |
| 1962 | Term of Trial | Graham Weir |
| 1961 | The Power and the Glory (TV Movie) | Priest |
| 1960 | Spartacus | Crassus |
| 1960 | The Entertainer | Archie Rice (as Lawrence Olivier) |
| 1959 | The Moon and Sixpence (TV Movie) | Charles Strickland |
| 1959 | The Devil's Disciple | Gen. Burgoyne |
| 1958 | ITV Play of the Week (TV Series) | John Gabriel Borkman |
| 1957 | The Prince and the Showgirl | The Regent |
| 1955 | Richard III | TV Short | King Richard III of England (as Sir Laurence Olivier) |
| 1955 | Richard III | Richard III |
| 1953 | The Beggar's Opera | Captain MacHeath |
| 1952 | Carrie | George Hurstwood |
| 1951 | The Magic Box | Police Constable 94-B |
| 1948 | *Hamlet* | Hamlet, Prince of Denmark |
| 1944 | Henry V | King Henry V of England |
| 1943 | Adventure for Two | Ivan Kouznetsoff |
| 1941 | 49th Parallel | Johnnie - The Trapper |
| 1941 | That Hamilton Woman | Lord Horatio Nelson |
| 1940 | Pride and Prejudice | Mr. Darcy |
| 1940 | Rebecca | 'Maxim' de Winter |
| 1940 | 21 Days Together | Larry [Darrant] |
| 1939 | *Wuthering Heights* | Heathcliff |
| 1939 | Q Planes | Tony McVane |
| 1938 | The Divorce of Lady X | Everard Logan |
| 1937 | Scenes from Macbeth | TV Short | Macbeth |
| 1937 | Fire Over England | Michael |
| 1936 | As You Like It | Orlando |
| 1935 | I Stand Condemned | Capt. Ivan Ignatoff |
| 1933 | No Funny Business | Clive Dering |
| 1933 | Perfect Understanding | Nicholas Randall |
| 1932 | Westward Passage | Nick Allen |
| 1931 | The Conquest of the Air | Vincent Lunardi |
| 1931 | The Yellow Ticket | Julian Rolfe |
| 1931 | Friends and Lovers | Lieutenant Ned Nichols |
| 1931 | Potiphar's Wife | Straker |
| 1930 | The Temporary Widow | Peter Bille |
| 1930 | Too Many Crooks (Short) | The Man |