Laurence Olivier
A member of the Silent Generation generation, Laurence Olivier was born in 1907 in Dorking and went on to become a celebrated Actor.
English actor and director (1907–1989)
"His 1948 film adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' stands as a defining career moment." — About Laurence Olivier
| Metric | Laurence Olivier | Avg Actor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 82 | 53 | +29 yrs |
| Career length | 64 yrs | ~35 yrs | +29 yrs |
| Based on 4322 Actor profiles in our database | |||
See also
Facts about Laurence Olivier
Did you know that Laurence Olivier once confessed to being so nervous before a performance that he would vomit offstage?
- He was the inaugural artistic director of the National Theatre of Great Britain from 1963 to 1973.
- Olivier was the first actor to be elevated to the peerage, becoming Baron Olivier of Brighton in 1970.
- He famously played both Heathcliff in 'Wuthering Heights' (1939) and Maxim de Winter in 'Rebecca' (1940).
- Despite his immense talent, he suffered from stage fright, particularly early in his career.
- He directed and starred in the 1948 film 'Hamlet,' which won him an Academy Award for Best Actor and Best Picture.
His 1948 film adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' stands as a defining career moment. Olivier not only directed and starred as the titular prince but also won both the Academy Award for Best Actor and Best Picture, a historic achievement for a non-American film at the time. This solidified his reputation as a master interpreter of Shakespeare for a global audience.
Laurence Olivier is widely considered one of the greatest actors in English history, setting an unparalleled standard for classical stage and screen performance. His name remains synonymous with acting excellence and theatrical gravitas.