John Gielgud
(1904-2000), Actor and theatre directorSir John Gielgud
Sitter in 123 portraits
Born into a theatrical tradition - Ellen Terry was his great aunt and his father's Polish grandmother was also an actress. He made his professional debut in 1921 at the Old Vic and it was there that his performances in Richard II and Hamlet in 1929 propelled him to fame. Gielgud's fame before the War was as a Shakespearean actor and director, skills he re-deployed in the triumphant one-man Shakespeare recital, Ages of Man, with which he toured the world in 1959. A versatile talent, he directed and played in Christopher Fry's The Lady's Not for Burning in 1949. He won an Oscar for his film role in Arthur (1981). As late as 1998 he starred in The Titchborne Claimant.
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 10 February 1969
NPG x16374
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 10 February 1969
NPG x16375
by Unknown photographer
bromide press print, early 1970s
NPG x184347
by Yevonde
black and white reprint on card mount, circa 1972
NPG x131735
by Syndication International Ltd
bromide press print, 21 November 1974
NPG x199292
by Press Association Photos
bromide press print, 1980s
NPG x184108
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative
NPG x16637
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative
NPG x16638
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative
NPG x16639
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative
NPG x16640
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative
NPG x16641
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative
NPG x16642
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative
NPG x16643
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative
NPG x16644
by Howard Coster
10 x 8 inch film negative
NPG x16645
by Cecil Beaton
pencil, late 1960s-early 1970s
NPG D17941(35)
by Cecil Beaton
pencil, late 1960s-early 1970s
NPG D17943(51)
National Portrait Gallery Extension
by Michael Heath
pen and ink, 2000
NPG D21631
Dorothy Green; John Gielgud; Lilian Mary Baylis
by P & A Photos
bromide postcard print, 1930
NPG x198185
John Gielgud as Mercutio in 'Romeo and Juliet'
by Howard Coster
half-plate glass negative, 1935
NPG x14496
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