Laurence Olivier
Laurence Olivier – Life, Career, and Legacy
Laurence Olivier (1907–1989) — the English thespian whose name became synonymous with classical acting. Explore his life, film and stage work, directorial achievements, famous quotes, and enduring influence.
Introduction
Sir Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, remains one of the towering figures of 20th-century British theatre and film. With a chameleon’s skill, he embodyed Shakespearean kings, tortured souls, romantic leads, and tragic heroes, while also forging new paths as a director and theatre leader. His influence shaped how acting is taught, thought about, and performed.
Early Life and Family
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Olivier was born on 22 May 1907 in Dorking, Surrey, England.
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He was the youngest of three children, with older siblings Sybille and Gerard Dacres “Dickie.”
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His father, Gerard Kerr Olivier, was a clergyman (Anglican priest) and former schoolmaster; his mother was Agnes Louise (née Crookenden).
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Olivier’s lineage included French Huguenot roots, and his family had a long tradition of Protestant church service.
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He attended the Central School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art in London, gaining formal training in speech and drama.
Rise in Theatre & Early Career
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In his early 20s, Olivier took on small stage and film roles, gradually building reputation for his articulate, expressive delivery.
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In 1936, he joined the Old Vic Company, becoming heavily involved in classical repertory and Shakespearean performance.
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He shared the stage with contemporaries like Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud; together they came to represent the apex of British classical acting in their era.
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His stage performances earned him acclaim for his versatility, vocal control, and ability to transform physically for roles.
Film, Directing & Leadership
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Olivier transitioned to film, playing roles such as Heathcliff (in Wuthering Heights, 1939) and other major dramatic characters.
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He became deeply invested in Shakespeare on film, famously directing and starring in Henry V, Richard III, and Hamlet. His Hamlet (1948) earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor.
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Olivier also served as founding Director (first artistic director) of the National Theatre (London) when it was established in the 1960s, helping shape its early identity and repertory.
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He directed many stage productions, including at Chichester Festival, and remained a critical force in theatre programming and production.
Personal Life & Relationships
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Olivier was married three times:
1. Jill Esmond (1930–1940) 2. Vivien Leigh (1940–1960) — the famous Gone with the Wind actress. 3. Joan Plowright (married in 1961 until Olivier’s death in 1989) -
He had four children, including Richard, Tamsin, Julie-Kate, etc.
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In later life, Olivier faced health issues: he suffered from dermatomyositis (a muscle degenerative disease) and other ailments which limited his mobility and ability to take on demanding roles.
Later Years & Death
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In his final decades, Olivier shifted toward fewer but significant roles, including television productions and cameo film appearances, as his health declined.
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His last screen role was a cameo in War Requiem (1989).
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He died on 11 July 1989, at the age of 82, at his home in Ashurst, West Sussex, England.
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His ashes were interred in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey.
Achievements, Honors & Awards
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Olivier won three Academy Awards:
- An Honorary Oscar (for Henry V, 1947) - Best Actor for Hamlet (1948) - A second Honorary Oscar (1979) recognizing lifetime contribution to film -
He also earned multiple BAFTA, Emmy, and Golden Globe awards across his career.
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He was knighted (Knight Bachelor) in 1947, and in 1970 was made a life peer as Baron Olivier for services to theatre.
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He was appointed to the Order of Merit in 1981.
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He has been commemorated through the Laurence Olivier Awards (Olivier Awards), which are annual honours in British theatre named in his memory.
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The largest auditorium of the National Theatre in London is named in his honour.
Acting Style, Technique & Reputation
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Olivier was known for his meticulous craftsmanship. He often altered his appearance dramatically (makeup, wigs, prosthetics) to disappear into characters.
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He described his method as “working from the outside in” — i.e. constructing the physical, vocal, and external elements first to access emotional truth.
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Critics noted his ability to shift accents, voices, postures, and presence between roles, making each performance distinct.
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Some critics occasionally argued that his technique might lean toward technical showmanship over simplicity; but his mastery and range often outweighed such critiques.
Memorable Quotes
Here are a few attributed to Laurence Olivier that reflect his theatrical sensibility:
“I can never act as myself; I have to have a pillow up my jumper, a false nose or a moustache or wig … I cannot come on looking like me and be someone else.”
— expressing his belief in the necessity of transformation in acting
He once said, “Living is strife and torment, disappointment and love and sacrifice, golden sunsets and black storms …”
(a reflective, poetic musing on life)
Legacy & Influence
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Olivier is still widely regarded as perhaps the greatest English-speaking actor of the 20th century.
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He helped bring Shakespeare to film in a way accessible to popular audiences, thereby expanding the reach of classical theatre.
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His leadership role at the National Theatre shaped British theatre’s institutional structure, repertoire, and prestige.
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The Olivier Awards continue to reinforce his name and influence annually in London theatre.
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His performances are studied in acting schools, especially for his approach to voice, physicality, and transformation.