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 Central Press
vintage print, 18 July 1957
NPG x194204
Joan Plowright and Laurence Olivier in 'The Entertainer'
by Bert Cann
bromide print, 1960
NPG x45058
possibly by William Woodfield, for Universal Studios
film publicity still, 1960
NPG x199019
Franco Zeffirelli; Laurence Olivier
by Lewis Morley
resin print, 1960s
NPG x125257
Joan Plowright; Laurence Olivier; Hon. Richard Olivier
by Anthony Buckley
modern bromide print from original negative, 1961
NPG x76239
by Angus McBean
semi-matte bromide print, 1962
NPG x15451
by Angus McBean
semi-matte bromide print, 1962
NPG x26069
Laurence Olivier; Sir Denys Lasdun
by Keystone Press Agency Ltd
bromide print, 22 November 1967
NPG x194011
Laurence Olivier; Sir Denys Lasdun
by Associated Newspapers
gelatin silver press print, December 1967
NPG x198495
Laurence Olivier as King Lear in 'King Lear'
by Lord Snowdon
cibachrome print, 1983
NPG x29993
'Lost Empires' (Colin Firth; Laurence Olivier; John Castle)
for Granada Television
bromide print, 1986
NPG x135723
Diners at Denham Studios Restaurant
by Anthony Wysard
watercolour and pencil, published 1937
NPG D312
Laurence Olivier as Hamlet; Vivien Leigh
by Anthony Wysard
pencil and watercolour, 1949
NPG D291
after Sir David Low
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published 9 April 1949
NPG D43346
John Gielgud; Laurence Olivier
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1935
NPG x14499
John Gielgud; Glen Byam Shaw; Laurence Olivier
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1935
NPG x14510
Laurence Olivier as Mercutio in 'Romeo and Juliet'
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1935
NPG x14527
Laurence Olivier as Michael Ingolby in 'Fire over England'
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x23959
Laurence Olivier as Romeo in 'Romeo and Juliet'
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1936
NPG x23960
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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