
Laurence Olivier
Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, an English actor and director, reigned over British theatre and cinema from the 1930s to the 1980s, leaving an indelible mark with his versatile performances and visionary directorship. Born in 1907, he rose to prominence in the West End and onscreen, starring in classics like "Wuthering Heights" and "Rebecca," and directing iconic Shakespeare adaptations. As co-director of the Old Vic and founding director of the National Theatre, he nurtured new talent and delivered legendary stage roles, from Richard III to Othello. His film and television accolades underscore a career defined by both artistry and influence, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest performers of his era.
Known For
The roles that explain the career.








Filmography
80 credits across 2 departments.
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028 | Charmed Lives: A Family Romance | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 2024 | The Bannfoot Ferry | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 2024 | Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 2021 | Vivien Leigh, autant en emporte le vent | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 2018 | Nothing Like a Dame | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 2018 | Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 2016 | The Greats: Vivien Leigh | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 2016 | The Vivien Leigh Archive at the V&A | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 2012 | Marilyn despite herself | Film | |
| 2012 | Marilyn Monroe: In The Movies | Film | |
| 2008 | The Making of 'Rebecca' | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 2004 | The Body of Marilyn Monroe | archive footage | Film |
| 2004 | Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow | Dr. Totenkopf (archive footage) | Film |
| 2004 | The Prince, The Showgirl and Me | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 2000 | The Filth and the Fury | Richard III (archive footage) | Film |
| 2000 | Sir John Mills' Moving Memories | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 2000 | Vivien Leigh: A Delicate Balance | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 1999 | Hitchcock, Selznick and the End of Hollywood | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 1995 | Legends in Light: The Photography of George Hurrell | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 1990 | Vivien Leigh: Scarlett and Beyond | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 1989 | War Requiem | The Old Soldier | Film |
| 1986 | Directed by William Wyler | Self | Film |
| 1986 | Lost Empires | Harry Burrard | TV |
| 1985 | Wild Geese II | Rudolf Hess | Film |
| 1984 | A Voyage Round My Father | Clifford Mortimer | Film |
| 1984 | The Bounty | Admiral Hood | Film |
| 1983 | The Jigsaw Man | Adm. Sir Gerald Scaith | Film |
| 1983 | King Lear | King Lear | Film |
| 1982 | Laurence Olivier: a life | Self | Film |
| 1981 | Inchon | Gen. Douglas MacArthur | Film |
| 1981 | Clash of the Titans | Zeus | Film |
| 1980 | The Jazz Singer | Cantor Rabinovitch | Film |
| 1979 | A Little Romance | Julius | Film |
| 1979 | Dracula | Prof. Abraham Van Helsing | Film |
| 1978 | The Betsy | Loren Hardeman | Film |
| 1978 | The Boys from Brazil | Ezra Lieberman | Film |
| 1977 | A Bridge Too Far | Dr. Jan Spaander | Film |
| 1977 | Jesus of Nazareth | Nicodemus | TV |
| 1976 | The Seven-Per-Cent Solution | Professor James Moriarty | Film |
| 1976 | The Gentleman Tramp | Narrator | Film |
| 1976 | The Collection | Harry | Film |
| 1976 | Marathon Man | Dr. Christian Szell | Film |
| 1976 | Love Among the Ruins | Sir Arthur Glanville-Jones | Film |
| 1973 | The Merchant of Venice | Shylock | Film |
| 1973 | The World at War | Narrator | TV |
| 1972 | Sleuth | Andrew Wyke | Film |
| 1971 | Nicholas and Alexandra | Count Witte | Film |
| 1970 | Three Sisters | Dr. Ivan Chebutikin | Film |
| 1969 | Oh! What a Lovely War | Field Marshal Sir John French | Film |
| 1969 | David Copperfield | Mr. Creakle | Film |
| 1969 | Battle of Britain | Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding | Film |
| 1969 | The Dance of Death | Edgar | Film |
| 1968 | The Shoes of the Fisherman | Piotr Ilyich Kamenev | Film |
| 1968 | Romeo and Juliet | Narrator (voice) (uncredited) | Film |
| 1966 | Khartoum | Mahdi | Film |
| 1966 | The Legend of Marilyn Monroe | Film | |
| 1965 | Othello | Othello | Film |
| 1965 | Bunny Lake Is Missing | Newhouse | Film |
| 1963 | The Power and the Glory | Priest | Film |
| 1962 | Term of Trial | Graham Weir | Film |
| 1961 | Hollywood: The Selznick Years | Self - Maxim de Winter (archive footage) (uncredited) | Film |
| 1960 | The Entertainer | Archie Rice | Film |
| 1960 | Spartacus | Marcus Licinius Crassus | Film |
| 1959 | The Devil's Disciple | Gen. Burgoyne | Film |
| 1957 | The Prince and the Showgirl | The Regent | Film |
| 1955 | Richard III | Richard III | Film |
| 1953 | A Queen Is Crowned | Narrator | Film |
| 1953 | The Beggar's Opera | MacHeath | Film |
| 1952 | Carrie | George Hurstwood | Film |
| 1950 | Rebecca | Maxim de winter | Film |
| 1948 | Hamlet | Hamlet - Prince of Denmark / Voice of Ghost | Film |
| 1944 | Henry V | King Henry | Film |
| 1944 | This Happy Breed | Narrator (voice) | Film |
| 1944 | The Volunteer | Self | Film |
| 1943 | The Demi-Paradise | Ivan Kouznetsoff | Film |
| 1941 | Words for Battle | Narrator (voice) | Film |
| 1941 | 49th Parallel | Johnnie, the Trapper | Film |
| 1941 | That Hamilton Woman | Lord Horatio Nelson | Film |
| 1940 | Pride and Prejudice | Mr. Darcy | Film |
| 1940 | Private Lives | Elyot Chase | Film |
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