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Sebastian Shaw

Acting Born May 29, 1905 Holt, Norfolk, England, UK 24 credits

Biography

Sebastian Lewis Shaw was an English actor, director, novelist, playwright and poet. During his 65-year career, he appeared in dozens of stage performances and more than 40 film and television productions. Shaw was born and brought up in Holt, Norfolk, and made his acting debut at age eight at a London theatre. He studied acting at Gresham's School and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Although he worked primarily on the London stage, he made his Broadway debut in 1929, when he played one of the two murderers in Rope's End. He appeared in his first film, Caste, in 1930 and quickly began to create a name for himself in films. He described himself as a "rotten actor" as a youth and said his success was primarily due to his good looks. He claimed to mature as a performer only after returning from service in the Royal Air Force during World War II. Shaw was particularly known for his performances in productions of Shakespeare plays which were considered daring and ahead of their time. In 1966, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he remained for a decade and delivered some of his most acclaimed performances. He also wrote several poems and a novel, The Christening, in 1975.

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Known for

Casualty

as Charles Howlett
Film

Return of the Jedi

as Anakin Skywalker

Full filmography

  • Casualty (1986) as Charles Howlett
  • Rumpole of the Bailey (1975) as Mr. Justice Skelton
  • Playhouse (1974) as Crusty Old Party
  • Theatre 625 (1964)
  • Thirty-Minute Theatre (1965) as The Judge
  • Return of the Jedi (1983) as Anakin Skywalker
  • BBC2 Play of the Week (1977) as Carl Fiodorich
  • Out of the Unknown (1965) as Major Gregory
  • Reilly: Ace of Spies (1983) as Reverend Thomas
  • The Great War (1964)
  • The Old Curiosity Shop (1979) as Grandfather
  • Dead of Night (1972) as Powys Jubb
  • Chimera (1991) as Dr. Liawski
  • High Season (1987) as Sharp
  • The Spy in Black (1939) as Ashington
  • The Story of Star Wars (2004) as Anakin Skywalker (archive footage)
  • Monkey Boy (1992) as Dr. Liawski
  • Chernobyl: The Final Warning (1991) as Grandpa
  • The Lad (1935) as Jimmy
  • Timon of Athens (1981) as Old Athenian
  • Farewell Again (1937) as Capt. Gilbert Reed
  • The Glass Mountain (1949) as Bruce McLeod
  • Landfall (1949) as Wing Commander Dickens
  • A Midsummer Night's Dream (1968) as Quince