Laurence Olivier In His Own Words

Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OM, was widely considered to be one of the greatest actors of the 20th Century. In a career spanning six decades, he played over 120 theatre roles and appeared in almost sixty films. On stage, he was celebrated for his portrayals of Richard III, Macbeth and Uncle Vanya, among numerous others; while his film roles included Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights and Maxim de Winter in Hitchcock's Rebecca. He also directed and starred in Henry V, Hamlet (which won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor in a Leading Role) and Richard III. He was also the founding artistic director of the Old Vic and, later, the National Theatre. Among his many awards were two Oscars (plus two honorary Academy Awards), five Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes and one BAFTA. He was made a Knight Bachelor in 1947, became a life peer as Baron Olivier in 1970 and was admitted into the Order of Merit in 1981. Laurence Olivier died in 1989, at the age of 82.

Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OM, was widely considered to be one of the greatest actors of the 20th Century. In a career spanning six decades, he played over 120 theatre roles and appeared in almost sixty films. On stage, he was celebrated for his portrayals of Richard III, Macbeth and Uncle Vanya, among numerous others; while his film roles included Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights and Maxim de Winter in Hitchcock's Rebecca. He also directed and starred in Henry V, Hamlet (which won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor in a Leading Role) and Richard III. He was also the founding artistic director of the Old Vic and, later, the National Theatre. Among his many awards were two Oscars (plus two honorary Academy Awards), five Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes and one BAFTA. He was made a Knight Bachelor in 1947, became a life peer as Baron Olivier in 1970 and was admitted into the Order of Merit in 1981. Laurence Olivier died in 1989, at the age of 82.