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Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier

© National Portrait Gallery, London. Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

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Born in Dorking and educated at St Edward's School Oxford, he made his stage debut aged fifteen. He won a scholarship to the Central School, and in 1927 joined Birmingham Rep. In 1939 he went to Hollywood to play in William Wyler's Wuthering Heights. He directed and starred in Henry V (1943–1944), 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. He joined the English Stage Company. In 1963 he became the first director of the National Theatre, building a company from a new generation of actors and directors. A player there until 1974, he appeared in film and television in the 1970s.

National Portrait Gallery, London

London

Title

Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier

Date

1982

Medium

oil on panel

Measurements

H 213.4 x W 91.4 cm

Accession number

5502

Acquisition method

Commissioned as part of the First Prize, Imperial Tobacco Portrait Award, 1981, 1982

Work type

Painting

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