Biography
Sir Robert Stephens (1931–1995) was an English actor who performed in the early years of the Royal National Theatre and was at one time regarded as a possible successor to Laurence Olivier.
His film roles included Germanicus in Cleopatra (1963), the Prince of Verona in Romeo and Juliet (1968) and the title character in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970). He later revived his career with the Royal Shakespeare Company, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor for his performance as Falstaff in Henry IV.
Stephens was married to actress Maggie Smith from 1967 to 1975; their sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin both became actors. He was knighted in 1995 and died in London later that year.
