Sir Alec Guinness
(1914-2000), ActorSitter associated with 33 portraits
A stage actor of distinction, in the late 1940s Alec Guinness extended his range to films and won acclaim with the eight roles he played in Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949). A string of successes followed, including a number of Ealing Studio films. Notable roles included Fagin in Oliver Twist (1948), The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) and Dr Zhivago (1965). He became an international star when he reluctantly appeared as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the first three Star Wars films (1977-83). He is the author of three autobiographical works: Blessings in Disguise (1985), My Name Escapes Me (1996) and A Positively Final Appearance (1999).
by Lee Miller
modern archival-toned gelatin silver print from original negative, 1947
NPG P1079
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 10 May 1978
NPG P1177
by Lord Snowdon
gelatin silver print, 4 June 1979
NPG P1880
by Elisabeth Frink
bronze bust, 1984
NPG 5721
John Gielgud; Sir Alec Guinness
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1935
NPG x14507
by Yevonde
Vivex colour print on card mount, 1936-1937
NPG x11654
by Angus McBean
vintage bromide print, 1938
NPG x127700
by Anthony Buckley
modern bromide print from original negative, 1948
NPG x75962
by Bob Penn
modern bromide print, 1949
NPG x88518
Valerie Hobson, Sir Alec Guinness and others in 'Kind Hearts and Coronets'
by Bob Penn
resin print, circa 1949
NPG x28724
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print on white card mount, 1951
NPG x14092
Sir Alec Guinness; Merula Silvia (née Salaman), Lady Guinness; Matthew Guinness
by Jimmy Wilds, for Keystone Press Agency Ltd
bromide press print, 31 July 1957
NPG x184385
by Keystone Press Agency Ltd
bromide press print, 1 January 1959
NPG x194425
by Derek Allen
blue-toned bromide print, 1960
NPG x45667
by Lewis Morley
toned bromide print, 1967
NPG x125185
by Eric William Pulford, and Arnaldo Putzu, printed by Lonsdale & Bartholomew (Nottingham) Ltd, published by National Screen Service Ltd
colour offset lithograph poster, 1971
NPG D48110
John Gielgud; Sir Alec Guinness
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1935
NPG x14501
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.