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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.
Laurence Olivier was born in Dorking, Sussex. 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 GielgudSir Arthur John Gielgud OM CH ( April 14, 1904 May 21, 2000) was an English theater and film actor, regarded by many as one of the greatest of his time. John Gielgud was born in Kensington, London, and had a head start in the theatrical profession, being. His film breakthrough was his portrayal of Heathcliff in Wuthering HeightsWuthering Heights is Emily Bronte's only novel. Published in 1847, it has become a classic of English literature, and has given rise to many adaptations, including several films, radio and television dramatisations, and a musical, as well as inspiring a h in 1939See also 1938 in film 1939 1940 in film 1930s in film 1940s in film years in film film Events Movie historians and film buffs often look back on the year 1939 as "the greatest year in film history. Hollywood was at the height of its Golden Age, and this p.
He was founding director ( 1962Events January January 1 Western Samoa becomes independent from New Zealand January 3 Pope John XXIII excommunicates Fidel Castro January 4 New York City introduces a train that operates without a crew on-board January 8 Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa is e- 1973Events January events January 1 United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark enter the European Economic Community now known as the European Union January 3 Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) sells the New York Yankees for $10 million to a 12-person syndicate led) of the National TheatreThe Royal National Theatre of Great Britain is a building and theatre company on London's South Bank. Housing three separate auditoria the Olivier Theatre (named for the theatre's first artistic director, Sir Laurence Olivier), the Lyttelton Theatre (afte of Great BritainGreat Britain (often abbreviated as Britain is an island lying off the western coast of Europe, comprising the main territory of the United Kingdom. Great Britain is also used as a political term describing the combination of England, Scotland, and Wales,.
On July 25July 25 is the 206th day (207th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 159 days remaining. Events 306 Constantine I proclaimed Roman emperor by his troops. 1261 Constantinople is captured by Nicaean forces under the command of Michael, 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.
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.