Laurence Olivier

Laurence Olivier was born in 1907, the son of an Anglican clergyman, and made a considerable reputation in the theatre. He enjoyed success in Hollywood, then returned in 1941 to serve in the Fleet Air Arm, before moving into directing with the support of the government. He went on to bring three Shakespeare plays to the screen, became the first director of the National Theatre, whose main auditorium now bears his name, and in 1970 the first actor to be made a peer of the realm. He died in 1989.

In the catalogue 1

• CinemaHenry VLaurence Olivier · 1944Cinema