Laurence Olivier Biography

Born asLaurence Kerr Olivier
Occup.Actor
FromUnited Kingdom
BornMay 22, 1907
Dorking, Surrey, England
DiedJuly 11, 1989
Steyning, West Sussex, England
CauseRenal failure
Aged82 years
Laurence Kerr Olivier, born upon May 22, 1907, in Dorking, Surrey, England, was one of the most prolific actors of the 20th century. Olivier's parents, Gerard as well as Agnes Olivier, were Anglican promoters, and also he grew up in a strict religious atmosphere. Regardless of his parents' long for him to end up being a clergyman, Olivier was drawn to the cinema.

Olivier began his acting job in 1924, working in various repertory business. He promptly obtained recognition for his skill, as well as in 1929 he signed up with the Old Vic Company, where he came to be understood for his classic Shakespearean performances. By the mid-1930s, Olivier was extensively regarded as one of the best stars of his generation.

In 1937, Olivier co-founded the distinguished Shakespeare Memorial Theatre (now the Royal Shakespeare Company) in Stratford-upon-Avon. He continued to execute on phase and in film throughout the 1940s and 1950s, making many awards as well as important recognition for his work.

During World War II, Olivier offered in the Royal Navy, yet he continued to act in movies as well as to tour with the Old Vic Company when he was able. After the war, he transformed his focus to movie directing, and also in 1948 he routed and also starred in the film adjustment of Hamlet, which won four Academy Awards, consisting of Best Picture and Best Actor for Olivier.

In the 1950s as well as 1960s, Olivier remained to act in movies, including Richard III (1955), which he also directed and also created, and Spartacus (1960), in which he played the villainous Roman basic Crassus. He also showed up on Broadway, winning a Tony Award in 1957 for his function in The Entertainer.

Regardless of his success on phase and also screen, Olivier had problem with clinical depression throughout his life. He also experienced a debilitating respiratory illness that compelled him to stop cigarette smoking in the 1960s.

Olivier was knighted in 1947 and made a life peer in 1970. He was awarded honorary doctorates from several universities, including Cambridge as well as Oxford. In 1979, he obtained a special Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement in Film.

Olivier continued to act until his death on July 11, 1989, from complications of kidney failing. Throughout his occupation, he appeared in over 120 films and also guided several others. He has been called the greatest actor of the 20th century by numerous doubters as well as stays an adored number in the world of theater as well as film.

Our collection contains 18 quotes who is written / told by Laurence.

Related authors: Mel Gibson (Actor), Anne Edwards (Writer), Michael York (Actor), John Osborne (Playwright), Tom Baker (Actor), Liam Neeson (Actor), Patrick Troughton (Actor), Tom Flynn (Celebrity), Matthew Bourne (Dancer), Judi Dench (Actress)

Filmography:

18 Famous quotes by Laurence Olivier

Small: If he was lost for a moment, he would dive straight back into its honey
"If he was lost for a moment, he would dive straight back into its honey"
Small: We ape, we mimic, we mock. We act
"We ape, we mimic, we mock. We act"
Small: Surely we have always acted it is an instinct inherent in all of us. Some of us are better at it than o
"Surely we have always acted; it is an instinct inherent in all of us. Some of us are better at it than others, but we all do it"
Small: Acting is a masochistic form of exhibitionism. It is not quite the occupation of an adult
"Acting is a masochistic form of exhibitionism. It is not quite the occupation of an adult"
Small: My stage successes have provided me with the greatest moments outside myself, my film successes the bes
"My stage successes have provided me with the greatest moments outside myself, my film successes the best moments, professionally, within myself"
Small: I should be soaring away with my head tilted slightly toward the gods, feeding on the caviar of Shakesp
"I should be soaring away with my head tilted slightly toward the gods, feeding on the caviar of Shakespeare. An actor must act"
Small: I dont know what is better than the work that is given to the actor-to teach the human heart the knowle
"I don't know what is better than the work that is given to the actor-to teach the human heart the knowledge of itself"
Small: I believe that in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, a great theater is the outward an
"I believe that in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, a great theater is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture"
Small: The office of drama is to exercise, possibly to exhaust, human emotions. The purpose of comedy is to ti
"The office of drama is to exercise, possibly to exhaust, human emotions. The purpose of comedy is to tickle those emotions into an expression of light relief; of tragedy, to wound them and bring the relief of tears. Disgust and terror are the other points of the compass"
Small: The actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand
"The actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand"
Small: Living is strife and torment, disappointment and love and sacrifice, golden sunsets and black storms.
"Living is strife and torment, disappointment and love and sacrifice, golden sunsets and black storms. I said that some time ago, and today I do not think I would add one word"
Small: Lead the audience by the nose to the thought
"Lead the audience by the nose to the thought"
Small: When youre a young man, Macbeth is a character part. When youre older, its a straight part
"When you're a young man, Macbeth is a character part. When you're older, it's a straight part"
Small: I often think that could we creep behind the actors eyes, we would find an attic of forgotten toys and
"I often think that could we creep behind the actor's eyes, we would find an attic of forgotten toys and a copy of the Domesday Book"
Small: We have all, at one time or another, been performers, and many of us still are - politicians, playboys,
"We have all, at one time or another, been performers, and many of us still are - politicians, playboys, cardinals and kings"
Small: Id like people to remember me for a diligent expert workman. I think a poet is a workman. I think Shake
"I'd like people to remember me for a diligent expert workman. I think a poet is a workman. I think Shakespeare was a workman. And God's a workman. I don't think there's anything better than a workman"
Small: I take a simple view of life: keep your eyes open and get on with it
"I take a simple view of life: keep your eyes open and get on with it"
Small: Have a very good reason for everything you do
"Have a very good reason for everything you do"