Laurence Olivier – Biography, Movies, Death and Legacy

Sir Laurence Olivier, born in Dorking, Surrey, on 22 May 1907, is widely regarded as one of the finest actors the English-speaking world has ever produced. His career spanned more than six decades, encompassing stage, film, and television, and his influence on modern theatre remains profound.

The son of a High Anglican priest, Olivier discovered Shakespeare during his school years and went on to train at the Central School of Dramatic Art. After joining the Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company, he made his West End debut in 1929. By the 1940s he was not only a leading actor but also a film director and producer who brought Shakespeare to a global audience.

He was knighted in 1947, created a life peer in 1970, and later became the first director of the National Theatre of Great Britain. The Olivier Awards – the highest honour in British theatre – bear his name.

Who Was Laurence Olivier?

• Born: 22 May 1907, Dorking, England
• Died: 11 July 1989, Steyning, England (kidney failure)
• Spouses: Vivien Leigh (1940–1960), Joan Plowright (1961–1989)
• Notable films: Hamlet, Rebecca, Henry V, The Entertainer, Marathon Man

• Laurence Olivier is widely regarded as the greatest English-speaking actor of the 20th century.
• He co-founded the National Theatre of Great Britain and directed its first production.
• He won an Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Emmy, plus four honorary Oscars.
• His marriage to Vivien Leigh was highly publicized; his later marriage to Joan Plowright lasted until his death.
• He died of renal failure at age 82; his ashes lie in Westminster Abbey.

What Were Laurence Olivier’s Most Famous Movies?

Olivier appeared in more than 90 films and directed several. His Shakespearean adaptations remain his most celebrated contributions. He also took on a wide variety of roles, from a Nazi war criminal to Zeus, demonstrating remarkable range.

Shakespeare on Film

In 1944 he directed and starred in Henry V, which earned a special Academy Award. Four years later Hamlet became the first British film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Olivier won Best Actor – the first person to direct himself to an acting Oscar. He followed with Richard III (1955) and the filmed theatre version of Othello (1965), which received four Oscar nominations.

Was Laurence Olivier in Othello?

Yes. His performance as Othello in the 1965 film, directed by Stuart Burge, was captured from his earlier stage triumph. The cast included Maggie Smith as Desdemona. The film earned four Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor for Olivier.

Other Notable Films

Beyond Shakespeare, Olivier starred in classics such as Wuthering Heights (1939) as Heathcliff, Rebecca (1940), Spartacus (1960), The Entertainer (1960), Sleuth (1972), and Marathon Man (1976). His later years brought roles in The Boys from Brazil and The Last Unicorn.

Awards and Recognition

Olivier’s honours include the Academy Award for Best Actor, multiple Golden Globes, a BAFTA, and an Emmy. He also received four honorary Oscars. According to Britannica, he was “a towering figure of the British stage and screen, acclaimed in his lifetime as the greatest English-speaking actor of the 20th century.”

Who Was Laurence Olivier Married To?

Olivier was married three times. His first marriage, to actress Jill Esmond, lasted from 1930 to 1940 and produced two sons, Tarquin and Roger. His second marriage, to Vivien Leigh, was highly publicised; they had no children and divorced in 1960.

Vivien Leigh and Joan Plowright

His most famous marriage was to Vivien Leigh, star of Gone with the Wind. They were together for 20 years before divorcing. In 1961 he married Joan Plowright, who later became Dame Joan Plowright; they remained married until his death. According to Wikipedia, he also had a ten-year love affair with entertainer Danny Kaye, though this is not confirmed by all biographers.

How Did Laurence Olivier Die?

Olivier died on 11 July 1989 at his home near London, aged 82. The cause of death was renal failure (kidney failure), as widely reported in obituaries. His health had declined in his later years.

His ashes were interred in Westminster Abbey, in the south transept, near the memorials of other great literary and theatrical figures. The Westminster Abbey commemorative page describes him as “the greatest actor of his generation.”

What Were the Key Events in Laurence Olivier’s Life?

1. 1907: Born in Dorking, Surrey.
2. 1926: Joined the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
3. 1930: Broadway debut in The Green Bay Tree.
4. 1939: Starred in Wuthering Heights (film).
5. 1944: Directed and starred in Henry V.
6. 1947: Knighted.
7. 1948: Won Academy Award for Hamlet.
8. 1961: Married Joan Plowright.
9. 1962: Became first director of the National Theatre.
10. 1970: Created life peer as Baron Olivier of Brighton.
11. 1989: Died of renal failure; ashes interred in Westminster Abbey.

What Do We Know for Certain About Laurence Olivier’s Life?

What Was Laurence Olivier’s Impact on Theatre and Film?

Olivier modernised Shakespeare on screen, making the plays accessible to mass audiences. His dual career as actor and director allowed him to shape classic works for new generations. He was a contemporary of John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, and Michael Redgrave, together defining British acting for decades.

The National Theatre, which he led from 1962 to 1973, became a world-class institution. The Olivier Awards, established in 1984, are the highest honour in British theatre, cementing his legacy.

What Do Experts Say About Laurence Olivier?

“Laurence Olivier was the greatest actor of his generation.”

— Westminster Abbey commemorative page

“A towering figure of the British stage and screen, acclaimed in his lifetime as the greatest English-speaking actor of the 20th century.”

— Britannica

“Olivier’s Hamlet (1948) remains a landmark in cinematic Shakespeare.”

— Wikipedia

What Is Laurence Olivier’s Legacy?

The legacy of Laurence Olivier continues through the Olivier Awards, the National Theatre, and ongoing film restorations. New audiences discover his work via streaming platforms, and biographies and documentary films are still being produced. For a comprehensive list of his roles, see Laurence Olivier’s filmography and major works and Olivier’s Shakespearean adaptations and legacy.

Frequently Asked Questions