Laurence Olivier
(1907-1989), Actor, producer and directorLaurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier
Sitter in 114 portraits
Born in Dorking and educated at St Edward's School Oxford, 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, and found equal success with contemporary theatre, particularly John Osborne's The Entertainer (1957). In 1962 he became the first director of the National Theatre.
Explore the portrait of Laurence Olivier by Peter Lambda (NPG 5481a) from all angles
by Dorothy Wilding
vintage bromide proof print, circa 1930
NPG x46504
Laurence Olivier and Jill Esmond in The Green Bay Tree
by Vandamm Studio
bromide print, 1933
NPG x29991
John Gielgud as Romeo and Laurence Olivier as Mercutio in 'Romeo and Juliet'
by Howard Coster
bromide print, 1935
NPG x16376
John Gielgud; Glen Byam Shaw; Laurence Olivier
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1935
NPG x14511
John Gielgud as Romeo; Laurence Olivier as Mercutio; Geoffrey Toone as Tybalt in 'Romeo and Juliet'
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1935
NPG x14523
Laurence Olivier, Elisabeth Bergner and six actors
by Unknown photographer
modern bromide print from original negative, 1936
NPG x45134
Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh in 'Fire Over England'
by Tunbridge
vintage film still, 1936
NPG x139795
Laurence Olivier as Michael Ingolby and Vivien Leigh as Cynthia in 'Fire Over England'
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x19528
Vivien Leigh as Cynthia and Laurence Olivier as Michael Ingolby in 'Fire Over England'
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x19529
Laurence Olivier as Michael Ingolby and Vivien Leigh as Cynthia in 'Fire Over England'
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x19530
Laurence Olivier as Michael Ingolby in 'Fire Over England'
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x23962
Laurence Olivier as Michael Ingolby and Vivien Leigh as Cynthia in 'Fire over England'
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x23963
Laurence Olivier as Michael Ingolby and Vivien Leigh as Cynthia in 'Fire Over England'
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x23964
Laurence Olivier as Michael Ingolby and Vivien Leigh as Cynthia in 'Fire over England'
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x23965
Laurence Olivier as Michael Ingolby in 'Fire over England'
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x23972
Laurence Olivier; Vivien Leigh as Michael Ingolby and Cynthia in 'Fire Over England'
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x24290
Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh
by Unknown photographer
bromide print, 28 May 1937
NPG x36099
Laurence Olivier as Hamlet and Vivien Leigh as Ophelia in 'Hamlet'
by Unknown photographer
postcard print, 1937
NPG x137983
Laurence Olivier as Hamlet and Vivien Leigh as Ophelia in 'Hamlet'
by Unknown photographer
postcard print, 1937
NPG x137984
Related People
- Jill Esmond (wife)
- Vivien Leigh (wife)
- Sydney Haldane Olivier, 1st Baron Olivier (uncle)
- Hon. Julie Kate Olivier (daughter)
- Hon. Richard Olivier (son)
- Hon. Tamsin Olivier (daughter)
- Dame Joan Ann Plowright (Lady Olivier) (wife)
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