Laurence Olivier

Twentieth century Shakespearean actor and director

Facts

• Born: 1907
• Country: United Kingdom
• Field: Stage
• Era: Golden Age

Overview

Led the National Theatre as its first director from 1963 to 1973. His films Henry V 1944 and Hamlet 1948 made Shakespeare commercial cinema, and Hamlet won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor. He won five Emmy Awards and became the first actor raised to the peerage in 1970. Richard III 1955 and Othello 1965 preserve his Shakespearean repertoire on film.