Probably the best Shakespearean actor that both the stage and screen has ever seen. Laurence Olivier was born on May 22nd 1907 in Dorking, Surrey, England, UK.

Olivier was the son of a clergyman and introduced to the arts very early in his life. He made his acting debut at the age of 15 in a theater production at the All Saints Choir School. In the next few years he took other Shakespearean and similar type roles. In 1926 he joined The Birmingham Repertory while also appearing on Broadway, in which he joined in 1929. While appearing on Broadway Hollywood took notice. He made his film debut in 1930 in Too Many Crooks. It was a short film and his character was simply named 'The Man.' His next batch of roles were better, and in 1937 he appeared in the film Fire Over England, in which he starred with the woman who would eventually be his wife, Vivien Leigh. At the time, Olivier was married to Jill Esmond. In 1939 he appeared in his best role to date as Heathcliff in the 1939 film Wuthering Heights. The role earned him his first of many Oscar nominations and earned him status as a major Hollywood actor.

With his success in Wuthering Heights he appeared in other blockbusters over the next few years such as Rebecca and Pride And Prejudice. In 1940 he divorced his wife, Jill Esmond and Vivien Leigh's husband, Leigh Holman, gave her a divorce. At the end of August 1940 Larry and Vivien were married. They appeared in their first film together as husband and wife in the 1941 film That Hamilton Woman. After World War II began Oliver asked William Wyder to direct him in a film version of Henry V. Wyder suggested that Olivier himself should direct it. He did and the result was the most serious and successful adaptation of a Shakespeare work to date. Olivier also received a special Oscar for the film. In 1948 Olivier directed and starred in another Shakespeare piece, Hamlet. It won four Oscars, including Best Actor and Best Picture and he is the only performer to direct himself in an Academy Award-winning performance.

In the 1950s he did more stage work, often with his wife, Vivien Leigh. He only directed himself in two films, Richard III and The Prince And The Showgirl. He only appeared in about a handful of films in the 1950s. He started off 1960 in the film The Entertainer in which he recreated his stage role. Also, in 1960 he and Vivien Leigh divorced after 20 years of marriage. He then married his co-star in The Entertainer, Joan Plowright.

He continued to work in both film and in televsion (winning five Emmy awards) until his death in 1989. His last Shakespearean role was in the 1984 TV movie King Lear, also said to be his last great role.

Laurence Olivier passed away on July 11th 1989 in Steyning, West Sussex, England, UK. Complications from a muscle disorder is said to be the reason. He had four children. One with his first wife, Jill Esmond and three with his third wife, Joan Plowright, whom he was married to until his death. He didn't have any children with Vivien Leigh, she was reported to have two miscarriages during their 20 year marriage.

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