---
name: "Laurence Olivier"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/laurence-olivier"
fi1m_id: "laurence-olivier"
imdb_id: "nm0000059"
tmdb_id: 3359
wikidata_id: "Q55245"
roles: ["Actor","Director","Writer"]
born: "22 May 1907"
died: "11 July 1989"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 78
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 8
updated: "2026-10-07T10:51:20.310818+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Laurence Olivier

## Identity

Laurence Olivier

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/laurence-olivier
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** laurence-olivier
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000059
- **TMDB ID:** 3359
- **Wikidata ID:** Q55245
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurence_Olivier, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55245, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000059/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3359

Actor and director. Born 22 May 1907 in Dorking, Surrey, England, UK. Died 11 July 1989.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director, Writer
- **Born:** 22 May 1907, Dorking, Surrey, England, UK
- **Died:** 11 July 1989
- **Active:** 1939–1984
- **Also known as:** Лоуренс Оливье, Sir Laurence Olivier, Laurence Kerr Olivier, Лоуренс Олівʼє, لارنس الیویه, Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier 
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 11: 8 acting, 2 directing, 1 other
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 10 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 8 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1930s 76 (1), 1940s 82 (4), 1960s 75 (1), 1970s 76 (4), 1980s 83 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 70 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 6 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 4, Thriller 4, Crime 2, Mystery 2, Romance 2, War 2
- **Screen time:** 14 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $33m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurence_Olivier, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55245, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000059/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3359

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Hamlet*](https://film.one/film/hamlet-1948.md) (84), [*Henry V*](https://film.one/film/henry-v-1944.md) (82), [*49th Parallel*](https://film.one/film/49th-parallel.md) (79)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Wuthering Heights*](https://film.one/film/wuthering-heights.md) (76)
- **Apple TV:** [*Marathon Man*](https://film.one/film/marathon-man.md) (74)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Laurence Olivier

> Laurence Olivier makes anger and superiority visible in the way a man stands, looks and speaks. We rate him for that precision, though he can push a line too hard when a quiet look would have done.

In *Wuthering Heights* (1939), Laurence Olivier gets more from standing still and looking at Merle Oberon than from barking his lines at the ceiling. His Heathcliff is angry throughout, but the quiet looks make that anger worth watching. William Wyler allows the louder moments too, while cinematographer Gregg Toland lights the house so that a candle finds one face at a time. Olivier benefits from being seen that closely, and the performance still has enough heat to make the occasional burst of unnecessary volume worth tolerating.

This was his film breakthrough after establishing himself in Shakespeare on stage. He then directed and starred in *Henry V* (1944), *Hamlet* (1948) and *Richard III* (1955). His acting worked from physical details, using voice, posture and gesture to build a character. That method could leave too much stage technique visible on screen. The later move into menacing character parts brought Dr Christian Szell in *Marathon Man* (1976).

*Sleuth* (1972) makes the work of keeping up appearances funny and troubling. As Andrew Wyke, Olivier behaves with such grandeur that we can see how hard the man works to keep the upper hand. Michael Caine's Milo Tindle gives him enough resistance to make their contest worth following. Director Joseph L. Mankiewicz trusts their watchfulness to keep the talk interesting. We laughed at Olivier's swagger, then felt uneasy because Wyke takes such pleasure in making his opponent uncomfortable.

There are limits to what those performances can repair. Anthony Shaffer's screenplay grows too fond of its own tricks, and the film runs longer than the contest needs. Olivier and Caine repeatedly bring our attention back to the men, though a tighter film would ask less of them. Start with *Sleuth*, provided there is no hurry to get to bed.

## Biography

Laurence Olivier was an English actor and director. Born Laurence Kerr Olivier on 22 May 1907 in Dorking, Surrey, he died on 11 July 1989.

He trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama and began his professional career in repertory theatre in the mid-1920s. His first major West End success was in Noël Coward's *Private Lives* (1930). In 1935 he appeared opposite John Gielgud and Peggy Ashcroft in a celebrated production of *Romeo and Juliet*. During the 1940s he served as co-director of the Old Vic company alongside Ralph Richardson.

Olivier appeared in more than fifty films. He played Heathcliff in *Wuthering Heights* (1939) and Maxim de Winter in *Rebecca* (1940). He directed and starred in Shakespeare film adaptations including *Henry V* (1944) and *Hamlet* (1948). From 1963 to 1973 he was founding director of the National Theatre. He was knighted in 1947 and created Baron Olivier in 1970.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, themoviedb.org, screenonline.org.uk.*

## On Fi1m (11)

### Performed in (8) — the average rests on these

- *Brideshead Revisited* (1981), Fi1m 83, as Alexander Flyte — [page](https://film.one/tv/brideshead-revisited.md)
- *Marathon Man* (1976), Fi1m 74, as Dr. Christian Szell — [page](https://film.one/film/marathon-man.md)
- *The World at War* (1973), Fi1m 90, as Narrator — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-world-at-war.md)
- *Sleuth* (1972), Fi1m 82, as Andrew Wyke — [page](https://film.one/film/sleuth.md)
- *Nicholas and Alexandra* (1971), Fi1m 58, as Count Witte — [page](https://film.one/film/nicholas-and-alexandra.md)
- *49th Parallel* (1941), Fi1m 79, as Johnnie, the Trapper — [page](https://film.one/film/49th-parallel.md)
- *Rebecca* (1940), Fi1m 85, as Maxim de Winter — [page](https://film.one/film/rebecca.md)
- *Wuthering Heights* (1939), Fi1m 76, as Heathcliff — [page](https://film.one/film/wuthering-heights.md)

### Directed (2)

- *Hamlet* (1948), Fi1m 84, as Hamlet - Prince of Denmark / Voice of Ghost — [page](https://film.one/film/hamlet-1948.md)
- *Henry V* (1944), Fi1m 82, as King Henry — [page](https://film.one/film/henry-v-1944.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Romeo and Juliet* (1968), Fi1m 75, as Narrator (voice) (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/romeo-and-juliet-1968.md)

## Complete filmography (106)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *1939: Secrets of Hollywood's Golden Year* (2023), series, Actor
- *Marilyn Monroe: In The Movies* (2012), Actor
- *Marilyn despite herself* (2012), Actor
- *Discovering Hamlet* (2011), as Hamlet (archive footage)
- *Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow* (2004), as Dr. Totenkopf (archive footage)
- *The Filth and the Fury* (2000), as Richard III (archive footage)
- *Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker* (1991), as Superintendent Newhouse (archive footage) (uncredited)
- *War Requiem* (1989), as The Old Soldier
- *Lost Empires* (1986), series, as Harry Burrard
- *Peter the Great* (1986), series, as King William III of Orange
- *Wild Geese II* (1985), as Rudolf Hess
- *The Last Days of Pompeii* (1984), series, as Gaius
- *The Bounty* (1984), as Admiral Hood
- *A Voyage Round My Father* (1984), as Clifford Mortimer
- *The Ebony Tower* (1984), as Henry Breasley
- *A Talent for Murder* (1983), as Dr. Anthony Wainwright
- *The Jigsaw Man* (1983), as Adm. Sir Gerald Scaith
- *Wagner* (1983), series, as Pfeuffer
- *Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson* (1983), as Joe Halpern
- *King Lear* (1983), as King Lear
- *Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady* (1982), Actor
- *Brideshead Revisited* (1981), series, as Alexander Flyte — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/brideshead-revisited.md)
- *Clash of the Titans* (1981), as Zeus
- *Inchon* (1981), as Gen. Douglas MacArthur
- *The Jazz Singer* (1980), as Cantor Rabinovitch
- *Dracula* (1979), as Prof. Abraham Van Helsing
- *A Little Romance* (1979), as Julius
- *The Boys from Brazil* (1978), as Ezra Lieberman
- *The Betsy* (1978), as Loren Hardeman
- *Daphne Laureola* (1978), as Sir Joseph · Executive Producer
- *Saturday, Sunday, Monday* (1978), as Antonio · Producer
- *Come Back, Little Sheba* (1977), as Doc Delaney · Creative Producer
- *A Bridge Too Far* (1977), as Dr. Jan Spaander
- *Jesus of Nazareth* (1977), series, as Nicodemus
- *Hindle Wakes* (1976), Producer, Director
- *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof* (1976), as Big Daddy · Producer
- *Laurence Olivier Presents* (1976), series, as Big Daddy, Doc Delaney, Antonio, Sir Joseph · Creator
- *The Seven-Per-Cent Solution* (1976), as Professor James Moriarty
- *The Gentleman Tramp* (1976), as Narrator
- *Marathon Man* (1976), as Dr. Christian Szell — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/marathon-man.md)
- *Love Among the Ruins* (1976), as Sir Arthur Glanville-Jones
- *The Collection* (1976), as Harry · Producer
- *The World at War* (1973), series, as Narrator — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-world-at-war.md)
- *The Merchant of Venice* (1973), as Shylock
- *Long Day's Journey Into Night* (1973), as James Tyrone Sr.
- *Sleuth* (1972), as Andrew Wyke — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/sleuth.md)
- *Lady Caroline Lamb* (1972), as Duke of Wellington
- *Nicholas and Alexandra* (1971), as Count Witte — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/nicholas-and-alexandra.md)
- *Great Performances* (1971), series, as Harry
- *Tree of Life* (1971), as Narrator
- *Three Sisters* (1970), as Dr. Ivan Chebutikin · Director
- *David Copperfield* (1969), as Mr. Creakle
- *Battle of Britain* (1969), as Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding
- *The Dance of Death* (1969), as Edgar
- *Oh! What a Lovely War* (1969), as Field Marshal Sir John French
- *ITV Saturday Night Theatre* (1969), series, as Narrator, James Tyrone Sr.
- *Male of the Species* (1969), as Presenter
- *The Shoes of the Fisherman* (1968), as Piotr Ilyich Kamenev
- *Romeo and Juliet* (1968), as Narrator (voice) (uncredited) — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/romeo-and-juliet-1968.md)
- *Omnibus* (1967), series, Actor
- *The Legend of Marilyn Monroe* (1966), Actor
- *Khartoum* (1966), as Mahdi
- *Othello* (1965), as Othello
- *Bunny Lake Is Missing* (1965), as Newhouse
- *Uncle Vanya* (1963), as Dr. Astrov · Director
- *The Power and the Glory* (1963), as Priest
- *Term of Trial* (1962), as Graham Weir
- *Spartacus* (1960), as Marcus Licinius Crassus
- *The Entertainer* (1960), as Archie Rice
- *The Moon and Sixpence* (1959), as Charles Strickland
- *The Devil's Disciple* (1959), as Gen. Burgoyne
- *The Prince and the Showgirl* (1957), as The Regent · Director, Producer
- *Richard III* (1955), as Richard III · Director, Producer, Screenplay
- *The Beggar's Opera* (1953), as MacHeath · Producer
- *A Queen Is Crowned* (1953), as Narrator
- *The Drawings of Leonardo da Vinci* (1953), as Narrator
- *Carrie* (1952), as George Hurstwood
- *The Magic Box* (1952), as Police Constable 94-B
- *Rebecca* (1950), as Maxim de winter
- *Hamlet* (1948), as Hamlet - Prince of Denmark / Voice of Ghost · Director, Screenplay, Producer — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/hamlet-1948.md)
- *Henry V* (1944), as King Henry · Director, Writer, Producer — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/henry-v-1944.md)
- *This Happy Breed* (1944), as Narrator (voice)
- *The Demi-Paradise* (1943), as Ivan Kouznetsoff
- *Malta G.C.* (1942), as Narrator
- *49th Parallel* (1941), as Johnnie, the Trapper — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/49th-parallel.md)
- *That Hamilton Woman* (1941), as Lord Horatio Nelson
- *Words for Battle* (1941), as Narrator (voice)
- *Private Lives* (1940), as Elyot Chase
- *Pride and Prejudice* (1940), as Mr. Darcy
- *Rebecca* (1940), as Maxim de Winter — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/rebecca.md)
- *21 Days* (1940), as Larry Durrant
- *Wuthering Heights* (1939), as Heathcliff — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/wuthering-heights.md)
- *Q Planes* (1939), as Tony McVane
- *The Divorce of Lady X* (1938), as Everard Logan
- *Fire Over England* (1937), as Michael Ingolby
- *As You Like It* (1936), as Orlando
- *Moscow Nights* (1934), as Captain Ivan Ignatoff
- *No Funny Business* (1933), as Clive Dering
- *Perfect Understanding* (1933), as Nicholas Randall
- *Westward Passage* (1932), as Nicholas 'Nick' Allen
- *The Conquest of the Air* (1931), as Vincent Lunardi
- *The Yellow Ticket* (1931), as Julian Rolfe
- *Friends and Lovers* (1931), as Lieutenant Ned Nichols
- *Potiphar's Wife* (1931), as Straker
- *Too Many Crooks* (1930), as The Boy
- *The Temporary Widow* (1930), as Peter Bille

## Gallery

- ![Laurence Olivier](https://film.one/media/person/7126/gallery-b9fd58b16274.jpg) Laurence Olivier — Allan warren, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Lord_Olivier_6_Allan_Warren.jpg/1280px-Lord_Olivier_6_Allan_Warren.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![86233 "Laurence Olivier" at Stafford on 24/09/99. A Kodak PhotoCD scan from a Kodak Gold Ultra 400 colour negative.](https://film.one/media/person/7126/gallery-a036ab7423d0.jpg) 86233 "Laurence Olivier" at Stafford on 24/09/99. A Kodak PhotoCD scan from a Kodak Gold Ultra 400 colour negative. — Steve Jones, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/86233_at_Stafford_on_24th_September_1999.jpg/1280px-86233_at_Stafford_on_24th_September_1999.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Francis Ford Coppola's handwritten casting notes for The Godfather, at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, near Geyserville, 2011](https://film.one/media/person/7126/gallery-3a82789e52a1.jpg) Francis Ford Coppola's handwritten casting notes for The Godfather, at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, near Geyserville, 2011 — DimiTalen, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Francis_Ford_Coppola%27s_handwritten_casting_notes_for_The_Godfather%2C_at_Francis_Ford_Coppola_Winery%2C_near_Geyserville%2C_2011.jpg/1280px-Francis_Ford_Coppola%27s_handwritten_casting_notes_for_The_Godfather%2C_at_Francis_Ford_Coppola_Winery%2C_near_Geyserville%2C_2011.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Teatr plakat surati (1940)](https://film.one/media/person/7126/gallery-1faedae1e2a9.jpg) Teatr plakat surati (1940) — Theatre, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/G%27urur_va_Andisha.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Laurence Olivier](https://film.one/media/person/7126/gallery-8b6bbd886b9e.jpg) Laurence Olivier — Image via TMDB
- ![Laurence Olivier](https://film.one/media/person/7126/gallery-bdcd3a90ff4d.jpg) Laurence Olivier — Image via TMDB
- ![Laurence Olivier](https://film.one/media/person/7126/gallery-eca9961c8b92.jpg) Laurence Olivier — Image via TMDB
- ![Costume, in silk, cotton, plastic and metal, designed by Roger Furse, worn by Laurence Olivier in the 1948 film Hamlet, for which Furse won the Oscar for Best C (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/7126/gallery-064c7ef3483e.jpg) Costume, in silk, cotton, plastic and metal, designed by Roger Furse, worn by Laurence Olivier in the 1948 film Hamlet, for which Furse won the Oscar for Best C (2024) — 14GTR, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Hamlet_costume_by_Roger_Furse%2C_V%26A_London.jpg/1280px-Hamlet_costume_by_Roger_Furse%2C_V%26A_London.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- !["LAURENCE OLIVIER 1907–1989 Actor and Director lived here as a child" - blue plaque erected on 11 June 2026 by English Heritage at 22 Lupus Street, Pimlico, Lon](https://film.one/media/person/7126/gallery-d0929b0adb86.jpg) "LAURENCE OLIVIER 1907–1989 Actor and Director lived here as a child" - blue plaque erected on 11 June 2026 by English Heritage at 22 Lupus Street, Pimlico, Lon — Spudgun67, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/LAURENCE_OLIVIER_1907%E2%80%931989_Actor_and_Director_lived_here_as_a_child.jpg/1280px-LAURENCE_OLIVIER_1907%E2%80%931989_Actor_and_Director_lived_here_as_a_child.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Laurence Olivier](https://film.one/media/person/7126/gallery-4d82ca04c11f.jpg) Laurence Olivier — Image via TMDB
- ![Laurence Olivier](https://film.one/media/person/7126/gallery-458064e502cb.jpg) Laurence Olivier — Image via TMDB
- ![Laurence Olivier](https://film.one/media/person/7126/gallery-7f07a882ee79.jpg) Laurence Olivier — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 1 won, 10 nominated

- 1979: Best Actor (nominated), for *The Boys from Brazil*
- 1977: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Marathon Man*
- 1973: Best Actor (nominated), for *Sleuth*
- 1966: Best Actor (nominated), for *Othello*
- 1961: Best Actor (nominated), for *The Entertainer*
- 1957: Best Actor (nominated), for *Richard III*
- 1949: Best Actor (won), for *Hamlet*
- 1949: Best Director (nominated), for *Hamlet*
- 1947: Best Actor (nominated), for *Henry V*
- 1941: Best Actor (nominated), for *Rebecca*
- 1940: Best Actor (nominated), for *Wuthering Heights*

### BAFTA Film Awards — 2 won

- 1976: BAFTA Fellowship (won)
- 1970: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (won), for *Oh! What a Lovely War*

### Golden Globes — 2 won

- 1977: Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture (won), for *Marathon Man*
- 1949: Best Actor in a Leading Role (won), for *Hamlet*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 3 won

- 1984: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *King Lear*
- 1982: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *Brideshead Revisited*
- 1960: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *The Moon and Sixpence*

### Other awards — 9 won, 1 nominated

- Feltrinelli Prize 1988: Feltrinelli Prize (won)
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor 1983: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor (won), for *Inchon*
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award 1981: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award (won), for *The Jazz Singer*
- Order of Merit 1981: Order of Merit (won)
- Academy Honorary Award 1979: Academy Honorary Award (won)
- Albert Medal 1976: Albert Medal (won)
- Sonning Prize 1966: Sonning Prize (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 1958: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Academy Honorary Award 1947: Academy Honorary Award (won)
- Knight Bachelor 1947: Knight Bachelor (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/laurence-olivier