Laurence Olivier

Laurence Olivier

Acting
Born 1907-05-22 - Died 1989-07-11Dorking, Surrey, England, UK

Biography

Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OM (22 May 1907 – 11 July 1989) was an English actor and director who, along with his contemporaries Ralph Richardson, Peggy Ashcroft and John Gielgud, dominated the British stage of the mid-20th century. He also worked in films throughout his career, playing more than fifty cinema roles. Late in his career, he had considerable success in television roles. His family had no theatrical connections, but Olivier's father, a clergyman, decided that his son should become an actor. After attending a drama school in London, Olivier learned his craft in a succession of acting jobs during the late 1920s. In 1930 he had his first important West End success in Noël Coward's Private Lives, and he appeared in his first film. In 1935 he played in a celebrated production of Romeo and Juliet alongside Gielgud and Ashcroft, and by the end of the decade he was an established star. In the 1940s, together with Richardson and John Burrell, Olivier was the co-director of the Old Vic, building it into a highly respected company. There his most celebrated roles included Shakespeare's Richard III and Sophocles's Oedipus. In the 1950s Olivier was an independent actor-manager, but his stage career was in the doldrums until he joined the avant garde English Stage Company in 1957 to play the title role in The Entertainer, a part he later played on film. From 1963 to 1973 he was the founding director of Britain's National Theatre, running a resident company that fostered many future stars. His own parts there included the title role in Othello (1965) and Shylock in The Merchant of Venice (1970). Among Olivier's films are Wuthering Heights (1939), Rebecca (1940), and a trilogy of Shakespeare films as actor-director: Henry V (1944), Hamlet (1948), and Richard III (1955). His later films included The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968), Sleuth (1972), Marathon Man (1976), and The Boys from Brazil (1978). His television appearances included an adaptation of The Moon and Sixpence (1960), Long Day's Journey into Night (1973), Love Among the Ruins (1975), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1976), Brideshead Revisited (1981) and King Lear (1983). Olivier's honours included a knighthood (1947), a life peerage (1970) and the Order of Merit (1981). For his on-screen work he received four Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, five Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards. The National Theatre's largest auditorium is named in his honour, and he is commemorated in the Laurence Olivier Awards, given annually by the Society of London Theatre. He was married three times, to the actresses Jill Esmond from 1930 to 1940, Vivien Leigh from 1940 to 1960, and Joan Plowright from 1961 until his death.

Movies (138)

Spartacus
7.5

Spartacus

1960Movie7.5
Clash of the Titans
6.9

Clash of the Titans

1981Movie6.9
Romeo and Juliet
7.4

Romeo and Juliet

1968Movie7.4
Rebecca
7.9

Rebecca

1940Movie7.9
Battle of Britain
6.8

Battle of Britain

1969Movie6.8
A Bridge Too Far
7.2

A Bridge Too Far

1977Movie7.2
The Bounty
6.8

The Bounty

1984Movie6.8
The Betsy
4.8

The Betsy

1978Movie4.8
Marathon Man
7.2

Marathon Man

1976Movie7.2
Wuthering Heights
7.2

Wuthering Heights

1939Movie7.2
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
5.9

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

2004Movie5.9
Richard III
7.2

Richard III

1955Movie7.2
Sleuth
7.7

Sleuth

1972Movie7.7
The Boys from Brazil
6.7

The Boys from Brazil

1978Movie6.7
That Hamilton Woman
7.1

That Hamilton Woman

1941Movie7.1
49th Parallel
7.0

49th Parallel

1941Movie7.0
Khartoum
6.3

Khartoum

1966Movie6.3
The Beggar's Opera
5.1

The Beggar's Opera

1953Movie5.1
Night of 100 Stars II
6.8

Night of 100 Stars II

1985Movie6.8
The Seven-Per-Cent Solution
6.2

The Seven-Per-Cent Solution

1976Movie6.2
Carrie
6.4

Carrie

1952Movie6.4
The Prince and the Showgirl
6.4

The Prince and the Showgirl

1957Movie6.4
Marilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend
7.4

Marilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend

1986Movie7.4
Pride and Prejudice
6.9

Pride and Prejudice

1940Movie6.9
21 Days
6.1

21 Days

1940Movie6.1
Come Back, Little Sheba
7.0

Come Back, Little Sheba

1977Movie7.0
Dracula
6.4

Dracula

1979Movie6.4
Discovering Hamlet
7.5

Discovering Hamlet

2011Movie7.5
A Little Romance
6.9

A Little Romance

1979Movie6.9
Nicholas and Alexandra
7.0

Nicholas and Alexandra

1971Movie7.0
Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood
5.9

Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood

2018Movie5.9
David Copperfield
5.6

David Copperfield

1969Movie5.6
Bunny Lake Is Missing
7.2

Bunny Lake Is Missing

1965Movie7.2
The Shoes of the Fisherman
6.8

The Shoes of the Fisherman

1968Movie6.8
The Devil's Disciple
6.6

The Devil's Disciple

1959Movie6.6
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
7.0

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

1983Movie7.0
Wild Geese II
4.8

Wild Geese II

1985Movie4.8
The Jazz Singer
5.9

The Jazz Singer

1980Movie5.9
The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind
8.2

The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind

1988Movie8.2
The Jigsaw Man
5.0

The Jigsaw Man

1983Movie5.0
Henry V
6.7

Henry V

1944Movie6.7
The Power and the Glory
9.0

The Power and the Glory

1963Movie9.0
The Making of 'Rebecca'

The Making of 'Rebecca'

2008Movie
Hamlet
7.4

Hamlet

1948Movie7.4
Korda: I Don't Grow on Trees: Part One

Korda: I Don't Grow on Trees: Part One

1993Movie
War Requiem
6.3

War Requiem

1989Movie6.3
Vivien Leigh: Scarlett and Beyond
8.5

Vivien Leigh: Scarlett and Beyond

1990Movie8.5
Hannibal Hopkins & Sir Anthony
4.7

Hannibal Hopkins & Sir Anthony

2021Movie4.7
Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration
4.5

Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration

2024Movie4.5
The Demi-Paradise
6.6

The Demi-Paradise

1943Movie6.6
Oh! What a Lovely War
6.6

Oh! What a Lovely War

1969Movie6.6
The Legend of Marilyn Monroe
6.7

The Legend of Marilyn Monroe

1966Movie6.7
Uncle Vanya
5.5

Uncle Vanya

1963Movie5.5
Legends in Light: The Photography of George Hurrell
2.0

Legends in Light: The Photography of George Hurrell

1995Movie2.0
Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady
6.0

Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady

1982Movie6.0
Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story
6.4

Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story

2023Movie6.4
Westward Passage
6.3

Westward Passage

1932Movie6.3
Directed by William Wyler

Directed by William Wyler

1986Movie
Malta G.C.
7.0

Malta G.C.

1942Movie7.0
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
6.3

Cavalcade of the Academy Awards

1940Movie6.3
This Happy Breed
7.1

This Happy Breed

1944Movie7.1
Laurence Olivier: A Life
10.0

Laurence Olivier: A Life

1982Movie10.0
Fire Over England
6.2

Fire Over England

1937Movie6.2
The Entertainer
6.2

The Entertainer

1960Movie6.2
Inchon
3.9

Inchon

1981Movie3.9
The Greats: Vivien Leigh
7.0

The Greats: Vivien Leigh

2016Movie7.0
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff
6.6

Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff

2010Movie6.6
The Collection
4.4

The Collection

1976Movie4.4
Hollywood: Style Center of the World
5.8

Hollywood: Style Center of the World

1940Movie5.8
Private Lives

Private Lives

1940Movie
Nothing Like a Dame
6.8

Nothing Like a Dame

2018Movie6.8
Marilyn, dernières séances
7.0

Marilyn, dernières séances

2008Movie7.0
No Funny Business
10.0

No Funny Business

1933Movie10.0
Larry & Vivien: The Oliviers in Love
8.0

Larry & Vivien: The Oliviers in Love

2001Movie8.0
Fascination: Unauthorized Story of Marilyn Monroe
7.2

Fascination: Unauthorized Story of Marilyn Monroe

2012Movie7.2
The Ebony Tower

The Ebony Tower

1984Movie
Marilyn despite herself
8.0

Marilyn despite herself

2012Movie8.0
The Divorce of Lady X
5.9

The Divorce of Lady X

1938Movie5.9
Words for Battle
6.5

Words for Battle

1941Movie6.5
Gregory Peck: His Own Man
6.7

Gregory Peck: His Own Man

1988Movie6.7
The Filth and the Fury
6.9

The Filth and the Fury

2000Movie6.9
Charmed Lives: A Family Romance

Charmed Lives: A Family Romance

2028Movie
Hitchcock, Selznick and the End of Hollywood
7.8

Hitchcock, Selznick and the End of Hollywood

1999Movie7.8
The Magic Box
6.5

The Magic Box

1952Movie6.5
Sir John Mills' Moving Memories
7.0

Sir John Mills' Moving Memories

2000Movie7.0
Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker
8.0

Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker

1991Movie8.0
Marilyn Monroe
10.0

Marilyn Monroe

1986Movie10.0
Othello
6.4

Othello

1965Movie6.4
Term of Trial
6.1

Term of Trial

1962Movie6.1
A Voyage Round My Father
7.4

A Voyage Round My Father

1984Movie7.4
King Lear
6.7

King Lear

1983Movie6.7
Lady Caroline Lamb
5.9

Lady Caroline Lamb

1972Movie5.9
Marilyn Monroe: In The Movies
7.0

Marilyn Monroe: In The Movies

2012Movie7.0
Rebecca

Rebecca

1950Movie
As You Like It
5.4

As You Like It

1936Movie5.4
Churchill and the Movie Mogul
7.3

Churchill and the Movie Mogul

2019Movie7.3
Vivien Leigh: A Delicate Balance
9.0

Vivien Leigh: A Delicate Balance

2000Movie9.0
Q Planes
6.0

Q Planes

1939Movie6.0
To Be Hamlet

To Be Hamlet

1985Movie
The Merchant of Venice
8.5

The Merchant of Venice

1973Movie8.5
Hollywood: The Selznick Years
4.4

Hollywood: The Selznick Years

1961Movie4.4
Three Sisters
4.3

Three Sisters

1970Movie4.3
Daphne Laureola
7.5

Daphne Laureola

1978Movie7.5
Saturday, Sunday, Monday
7.0

Saturday, Sunday, Monday

1978Movie7.0
Eve and Marilyn
8.0

Eve and Marilyn

1987Movie8.0
Male of the Species
5.5

Male of the Species

1969Movie5.5
Great Acting: Laurence Olivier
10.0

Great Acting: Laurence Olivier

1966Movie10.0
The Moon and Sixpence
7.0

The Moon and Sixpence

1959Movie7.0
Moscow Nights
5.9

Moscow Nights

1934Movie5.9
The Prince, The Showgirl and Me

The Prince, The Showgirl and Me

2004Movie
The Body of Marilyn Monroe
8.0

The Body of Marilyn Monroe

2004Movie8.0
Vivien Leigh, autant en emporte le vent
7.4

Vivien Leigh, autant en emporte le vent

2021Movie7.4
The Rehearsal
5.4

The Rehearsal

1974Movie5.4
Love Among the Ruins
7.0

Love Among the Ruins

1976Movie7.0
The Magic of Hollywood... Is the Magic of People
7.0

The Magic of Hollywood... Is the Magic of People

1976Movie7.0
The Conquest of the Air
5.4

The Conquest of the Air

1931Movie5.4
A Talent for Murder
6.9

A Talent for Murder

1983Movie6.9
Revisiting Brideshead
8.0

Revisiting Brideshead

2005Movie8.0
The Temporary Widow
7.0

The Temporary Widow

1930Movie7.0
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
5.0

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

1976Movie5.0
The Drawings of Leonardo da Vinci

The Drawings of Leonardo da Vinci

1953Movie
The Bannfoot Ferry

The Bannfoot Ferry

2024Movie
The Yellow Ticket
5.1

The Yellow Ticket

1931Movie5.1
The Volunteer
5.0

The Volunteer

1944Movie5.0
Potiphar's Wife
8.0

Potiphar's Wife

1931Movie8.0
Friends and Lovers
4.9

Friends and Lovers

1931Movie4.9
Too Many Crooks
9.0

Too Many Crooks

1930Movie9.0
Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson
3.8

Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson

1983Movie3.8
The Vivien Leigh Archive at the V&A
9.0

The Vivien Leigh Archive at the V&A

2016Movie9.0
Perfect Understanding
6.6

Perfect Understanding

1933Movie6.6
The Dance of Death
6.7

The Dance of Death

1969Movie6.7
Jornal Português (1938-1951)

Jornal Português (1938-1951)

2015Movie
The Gentleman Tramp
7.1

The Gentleman Tramp

1976Movie7.1
Long Day's Journey Into Night
7.0

Long Day's Journey Into Night

1973Movie7.0
A Queen Is Crowned
7.1

A Queen Is Crowned

1953Movie7.1
Tree of Life

Tree of Life

1971Movie
At the Haunted End of the Day

At the Haunted End of the Day

1981Movie
British Pathé: Vivien Leigh & Laurence Olivier

British Pathé: Vivien Leigh & Laurence Olivier

1946Movie

TV Shows (23)

The Mike Douglas Show
5.8

The Mike Douglas Show

1961Series5.8
Golden Globe Awards
7.0

Golden Globe Awards

1944Series7.0
Great Performances
6.1

Great Performances

1971Series6.1
Tony Awards

Tony Awards

1956Series
Omnibus
7.2

Omnibus

1967Series7.2
The Dick Cavett Show
6.8

The Dick Cavett Show

1968Series6.8
The Carol Burnett Show
7.7

The Carol Burnett Show

1967Series7.7
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
7.0

ITV Saturday Night Theatre

1969Series7.0
The Oscars
7.0

The Oscars

1953Series7.0
The Ed Sullivan Show
6.8

The Ed Sullivan Show

1948Series6.8
Jesus of Nazareth
7.8

Jesus of Nazareth

1977Series7.8
ABC Stage 67
6.8

ABC Stage 67

1966Series6.8
The World at War
8.3

The World at War

1973Series8.3
Talking Pictures
6.2

Talking Pictures

2013Series6.2
Brideshead Revisited
7.8

Brideshead Revisited

1981Series7.8
Peter the Great
7.9

Peter the Great

1986Series7.9
Wagner
6.8

Wagner

1983Series6.8
Laurence Olivier Presents
7.0

Laurence Olivier Presents

1976Series7.0
The Last Days of Pompeii
7.4

The Last Days of Pompeii

1984Series7.4
Iconic Couples of Hollywood
8.0

Iconic Couples of Hollywood

2015Series8.0
Male of the Species
4.7

Male of the Species

1969Series4.7
Lost Empires
5.8

Lost Empires

1986Series5.8
1939: Secrets of Hollywood's Golden Year
5.7

1939: Secrets of Hollywood's Golden Year

2023Series5.7