Description:
Sir Ralph Richardson was one of the greatest actors of the 20th Century English-language theater, ascending to the height of his profession in the mid-1930s when he became a star in London's West End. He became the first actor of his generation to be knighted. He became Sir Ralph in 1947, and was quickly followed by Laurence Olivier in 1948, and then by John Gielgud in 1953. Co-stars and friends, the three theatrical knights were considered the greatest English actors of their generation, primarily for their mastery of the Shakespearean canon. They occupied the height of the British acting pantheon in the post-World War II years.
Birthday
December 19, 1902
Born In
Tivoli Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK
Alternative names
Lt. Cmdr Ralph Richardson RNVR
, Sir Ralph Richardson
Height
183 cm
Spouse/Ex-
Meriel Forbes January 26, 1944 - October 10, 1983 (his death),Muriel Hewitt August 1924 - October 5, 1942 (her death)
Children
Charles David Richardson
Trivia
Once, visiting the home of Laurence Olivier and his then-wife Vivien Leigh, he was invited to inspect certain paintings which were kept in the attic. Somehow, he contrived to fall over; the floor of the attic gave way under his weight and he fell through it, landing on a bed (which then collapsed) in a room below. He was unhurt, but shaken; he was then scolded at some length by Vivien Leigh, whom he had already annoyed earlier in the day. He later said, "There was a rational basis to Vivien's fury, which we must salute. If you prod a tigress twice in her lair, you must not expect her to purr.".
Quotes
Acting on the screen is like acting under a microscope. The slightest
movement becomes a gesture and therefore the discipline has to be very
severe.
Trademarks
Often played proud patriarchs and authority figures.
