Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier (1907-1989), Actor, producer and director

Sitter associated with 86 portraits
Born in Dorking and educated at St Edward's School Oxford, he made his stage début aged 15. He won a scholarship to the Central School, and in 1927 joined Birmingham Rep. Olivier established his reputation through Shakespearean stage roles and film performances including Heathcliffe in Wuthering Heights (1939) and Maxim de Winter in Rebecca (1940). He directed and starred in Henry V (1943-4), and became actor-manager of the Old Vic. He was knighted in 1947. He later formed his own company, directing and co-starring with his wife Vivien Leigh. In 1963 he became the first director of the National Theatre, building a company from a new generation of actors and directors.