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Laurence Olivier

Acting Born May 22, 1907 Died Jul 11, 1989 Dorking, Surrey, England, UK 189 credits

Biography

Laurence Olivier was an English actor and director who dominated the British stage of the mid-20th century. He also worked in films throughout his career, playing more than fifty cinema roles. Olivier's family had no theatrical connections, but his father, a clergyman, encouraged him to become an actor. He attended a drama school in London and learned his craft in a succession of acting jobs during the late 1920s. Olivier had his first important West End success in 1930. He later had considerable success in television roles late in his career. He is known for his work in numerous Shakespeare productions and is considered one of the most acclaimed actors of the 20th century.

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Career

Career overview

Laurence Olivier began his acting career in the late 1920s, learning his craft through a succession of acting jobs. He achieved his first important West End success in 1930 in the play Noë. Throughout his career, Olivier worked in films, playing more than fifty cinema roles.

In addition to his film work, Olivier had considerable success in television roles late in his career. His acting career spanned many decades, with Olivier working in the British stage and cinema. He was a prominent figure in the British theatre scene, along with contemporaries such as Ralph Richardson, Peggy Ashcroft, and John Gielgud.

Olivier's acting career was marked by his extensive experience in the theatre and cinema. He was a well-established actor with a long and distinguished career, known for his work in numerous productions.

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Frequent co-stars

Career timeline

Charmed Lives: A Family Romance
Dame Maggie Smith - A CelebrationThe Bannfoot Ferry
Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story
Hannibal Hopkins & Sir AnthonyVivien Leigh, autant en emporte le vent
Churchill and the Movie Mogul
Scotty and the Secret History of HollywoodNothing Like a Dame
Iconic Couples of HollywoodJornal Português (1938-1951)
Talking Pictures
Marilyn Monroe: In The MoviesFascination: Unauthorized Story of Marilyn MonroeMarilyn despite herself
Discovering Hamlet
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff
Marilyn, dernières séancesThe Making of 'Rebecca'
Revisiting Brideshead
Sky Captain and the World of TomorrowThe Prince, The Showgirl and MeThe Body of Marilyn Monroe
Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDanielLarry & Vivien: The Oliviers in Love
Sir John Mills' Moving MemoriesThe Filth and the FuryVivien Leigh: A Delicate Balance
Hitchcock, Selznick and the End of Hollywood
Legends in Light: The Photography of George Hurrell
Korda: I Don't Grow on Trees: Part One
Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker
Vivien Leigh: Scarlett and Beyond
War Requiem
Gregory Peck: His Own ManThe Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind
Directed by William WylerPeter the GreatLost EmpiresMarilyn Monroe: Beyond the LegendMarilyn Monroe
Night of 100 Stars IITo Be HamletWild Geese II
The BountyThe Ebony TowerThe Last Days of PompeiiA Voyage Round My Father
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare FootageWagnerThe Jigsaw ManA Talent for MurderKing Lear
Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special LadyLaurence Olivier: a life
Clash of the TitansBrideshead RevisitedInchonAt the Haunted End of the Day
The Jazz Singer

Full filmography

  • Charmed Lives: A Family Romance (2028) as Self (archive footage)
  • Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration (2024) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Bannfoot Ferry (2024) as Self (archive footage)
  • Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story (2023) as Self (archive footage)
  • Hannibal Hopkins & Sir Anthony (2021) as Self (archive footage)
  • Vivien Leigh, autant en emporte le vent (2021) as Self (archive footage)
  • Churchill and the Movie Mogul (2019) as Self (archive footage)
  • Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood (2018) as Self (archive footage)
  • Nothing Like a Dame (2018) as Self (archive footage)
  • Iconic Couples of Hollywood (2015) as Self (archive footage)
  • Jornal Português (1938-1951) (2015) as Self (archive footage)
  • Talking Pictures (2013) as Self (archive footage)
  • Marilyn Monroe: In The Movies (2012)
  • Fascination: Unauthorized Story of Marilyn Monroe (2012) as Self (archive footage)
  • Marilyn despite herself (2012)
  • Discovering Hamlet (2011) as Hamlet (archive footage)
  • Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff (2010) as Self (archive footage)
  • Marilyn, dernières séances (2008) as Self(archive footage)
  • The Making of 'Rebecca' (2008) as Self (archive footage)
  • Revisiting Brideshead (2005) as Self (archive footage)
  • Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004) as Dr. Totenkopf (archive footage)
  • The Prince, The Showgirl and Me (2004) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Body of Marilyn Monroe (2004) as archive footage
  • Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel (2001) as Self (archive footage)
  • Larry & Vivien: The Oliviers in Love (2001) as Self (archive footage)
  • Sir John Mills' Moving Memories (2000) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Filth and the Fury (2000) as Richard III (archive footage)
  • Vivien Leigh: A Delicate Balance (2000) as Self (archive footage)
  • Hitchcock, Selznick and the End of Hollywood (1999) as Self (archive footage)
  • Legends in Light: The Photography of George Hurrell (1995) as Self (archive footage)
  • Korda: I Don't Grow on Trees: Part One (1993) as Self
  • Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker (1991) as Superintendent Newhouse (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Vivien Leigh: Scarlett and Beyond (1990) as Self (archive footage)
  • War Requiem (1989) as The Old Soldier
  • Gregory Peck: His Own Man (1988) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind (1988) as Self (archive footage)
  • Directed by William Wyler (1986) as Self
  • Peter the Great (1986) as King William III of Orange
  • Lost Empires (1986) as Harry Burrard
  • Marilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend (1986) as archive footage
  • Marilyn Monroe (1986) as archive footage
  • Night of 100 Stars II (1985) as Self
  • To Be Hamlet (1985) as Self
  • Wild Geese II (1985) as Rudolf Hess
  • The Bounty (1984) as Admiral Hood
  • The Ebony Tower (1984) as Henry Breasley
  • The Last Days of Pompeii (1984) as Gaius
  • A Voyage Round My Father (1984) as Clifford Mortimer
  • Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage (1983) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Wagner (1983) as Pfeuffer
  • The Jigsaw Man (1983) as Adm. Sir Gerald Scaith
  • A Talent for Murder (1983) as Dr. Anthony Wainwright
  • King Lear (1983) as King Lear
  • Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson (1983) as Joe Halpern
  • Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady (1982)
  • Laurence Olivier: a life (1982) as Self
  • Clash of the Titans (1981) as Zeus
  • Brideshead Revisited (1981) as Alexander Flyte
  • Inchon (1981) as Gen. Douglas MacArthur
  • At the Haunted End of the Day (1981) as Self
  • The Jazz Singer (1980) as Cantor Rabinovitch
  • A Little Romance (1979) as Julius
  • Dracula (1979) as Prof. Abraham Van Helsing
  • The Betsy (1978) as Loren Hardeman
  • The Boys from Brazil (1978) as Ezra Lieberman
  • Daphne Laureola (1978) as Sir Joseph
  • Daphne Laureola (1978) Executive Producer
  • Saturday, Sunday, Monday (1978) as Antonio
  • Saturday, Sunday, Monday (1978) Producer
  • Jesus of Nazareth (1977) as Nicodemus
  • A Bridge Too Far (1977) as Dr. Jan Spaander
  • Come Back, Little Sheba (1977) as Doc Delaney
  • Come Back, Little Sheba (1977) Creative Producer
  • Marathon Man (1976) as Dr. Christian Szell
  • The Collection (1976) as Harry
  • The Collection (1976) Producer
  • Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1976) as Big Daddy
  • Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1976) Producer
  • Hindle Wakes (1976) Producer
  • Hindle Wakes (1976) Director
  • Love Among the Ruins (1976) as Sir Arthur Glanville-Jones
  • Laurence Olivier Presents (1976) as Big Daddy
  • Laurence Olivier Presents (1976) as Doc Delaney
  • Laurence Olivier Presents (1976) as Antonio
  • Laurence Olivier Presents (1976) as Sir Joseph
  • Laurence Olivier Presents (1976) Creator
  • The Gentleman Tramp (1976) as Narrator
  • The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976) as Professor James Moriarty
  • The Magic of Hollywood... Is the Magic of People (1976) as Self
  • The Rehearsal (1974) as Self
  • The World at War (1973) as Narrator
  • The Merchant of Venice (1973) as Shylock
  • Long Day's Journey Into Night (1973) as James Tyrone Sr.
  • Sleuth (1972) as Andrew Wyke
  • Lady Caroline Lamb (1972) as Duke of Wellington
  • Great Performances (1971) as Harry
  • Great Performances (1971) as Self
  • Nicholas and Alexandra (1971) as Count Witte
  • Tree of Life (1971) as Narrator
  • Three Sisters (1970) as Dr. Ivan Chebutikin
  • Three Sisters (1970) Director
  • ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969) as Narrator
  • ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969) as James Tyrone Sr.
  • Battle of Britain (1969) as Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding
  • Male of the Species (1969) as Presenter
  • Male of the Species (1969) as Self - Presenter
  • David Copperfield (1969) as Mr. Creakle
  • Oh! What a Lovely War (1969) as Field Marshal Sir John French
  • The Dance of Death (1969) as Edgar
  • The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
  • Romeo and Juliet (1968) as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
  • The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968) as Piotr Ilyich Kamenev
  • Omnibus (1967) as Self (archive footage)
  • Omnibus (1967)
  • The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self - Audience Member
  • ABC Stage 67 (1966) as Self
  • ABC Stage 67 (1966) as Self (archive footage)
  • Khartoum (1966) as Mahdi
  • The Legend of Marilyn Monroe (1966)
  • Great Acting: Laurence Olivier (1966) as Self - Interviewee
  • Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965) as Newhouse
  • Olivier Talks About Othello (1965) as Self - Host
  • Othello (1965) as Othello
  • Uncle Vanya (1963) as Dr. Astrov
  • Uncle Vanya (1963) Director
  • The Power and the Glory (1963) as Priest
  • Term of Trial (1962) as Graham Weir
  • The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
  • Hollywood: The Selznick Years (1961) as Self - Maxim de Winter (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Spartacus (1960) as Marcus Licinius Crassus
  • The Entertainer (1960) as Archie Rice
  • The Devil's Disciple (1959) as Gen. Burgoyne
  • The Moon and Sixpence (1959) as Charles Strickland
  • The Prince and the Showgirl (1957) as The Regent
  • The Prince and the Showgirl (1957) Producer
  • The Prince and the Showgirl (1957) Director
  • Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Recipient
  • Tony Awards (1956) as Self
  • Richard III (1955) as Richard III
  • Richard III (1955) Director
  • Richard III (1955) Screenplay
  • Richard III (1955) Producer
  • The Oscars (1953) as Self
  • A Queen Is Crowned (1953) as Narrator
  • The Beggar's Opera (1953) as MacHeath
  • The Beggar's Opera (1953) Producer
  • The Drawings of Leonardo da Vinci (1953) as Narrator
  • The Magic Box (1952) as Police Constable 94-B
  • Carrie (1952) as George Hurstwood
  • Rebecca (1950) as Maxim de winter
  • The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
  • Hamlet (1948) as Hamlet - Prince of Denmark / Voice of Ghost
  • Hamlet (1948) Director
  • Hamlet (1948) Screenplay
  • Hamlet (1948) Producer
  • Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
  • Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Cecil B. DeMille Award Recipient
  • This Happy Breed (1944) as Narrator (voice)
  • Henry V (1944) as King Henry
  • Henry V (1944) Director
  • Henry V (1944) Writer
  • Henry V (1944) Producer
  • The Volunteer (1944) as Self
  • The Demi-Paradise (1943) as Ivan Kouznetsoff
  • Malta G.C. (1942) as Narrator
  • That Hamilton Woman (1941) as Lord Horatio Nelson
  • Words for Battle (1941) as Narrator (voice)
  • 49th Parallel (1941) as Johnnie, the Trapper
  • Rebecca (1940) as Maxim de Winter
  • Pride and Prejudice (1940) as Mr. Darcy
  • 21 Days (1940) as Larry Durrant
  • Cavalcade of the Academy Awards (1940) as Self
  • Private Lives (1940) as Elyot Chase
  • Hollywood: Style Center of the World (1940) as Self
  • Wuthering Heights (1939) as Heathcliff
  • Q Planes (1939) as Tony McVane
  • The Divorce of Lady X (1938) as Everard Logan
  • Fire Over England (1937) as Michael Ingolby
  • As You Like It (1936) as Orlando
  • Moscow Nights (1934) as Captain Ivan Ignatoff
  • Perfect Understanding (1933) as Nicholas Randall
  • No Funny Business (1933) as Clive Dering
  • Westward Passage (1932) as Nicholas 'Nick' Allen
  • Friends and Lovers (1931) as Lieutenant Ned Nichols
  • Potiphar's Wife (1931) as Straker
  • The Yellow Ticket (1931) as Julian Rolfe
  • The Conquest of the Air (1931) as Vincent Lunardi
  • The Temporary Widow (1930) as Peter Bille
  • Too Many Crooks (1930) as The Boy