Alec Clunes
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| Alec Clunes | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 May 1912 Brixton, London |
| Died | 13 March 1970 London |
Alec Clunes (Alexander S. D. Clunes, 17 May 1912 Brixton, London-13 March 1970 London) was an English actor-manager.
During the 1940s and 1950's, there were few greater classical actors in Britain than Alec Clunes. He was born into a showbusiness family, the son of Alexander and Georgina Clunes. He began his stage career with Ben Greet's company, before playing at the Old Vic theatre. He played numerous Shakespearian roles, before taking over the management of the Arts Theatre, London in 1942, where he remained until 1950. Among the plays he presented were Christopher Fry's famous play "The Lady's Not For Burning". He gave the actor and dramatist Sir Peter Ustinov his first break with his production "The House of Regrets".
He was a matinee idol for much of his life in the theatre. His film career was brief, but varied. He played Hastings in Laurence Olivier's melodramatic "Richard III" (1956), but he was equally at home in stiff upper lip wartime classics such as "One of Our Aircraft is Missing" (1942).
Clunes later stage work included succeeding Sir Rex Harrison as Henry Higgins in the stage musical "My Fair Lady" in 1959. His final stage appearance was in 1968.
Off stage, he was an intellectual man, widely read with a deep knowledge of theatre tradition. A theatrical great, who was often compared with his contemporaries Sir Laurence Olivier and Sir John Gielgud.
He was twice married:
He died from lung cancer in 1970, aged 57. He left a widow and a son, the actor Martin Clunes.
[edit] Notable TV Guest Appearances
- "Undermind" playing "Police Sergeant" in episode: "Onset of Fear" (episode # 1.1) 24 April 1968
- "The Ronnie Barker Playhouse" playing "Peregrine" in episode: "The Incredible Mister Tanner" (episode # 1.4) 24 April 1968
[edit] Selected filmography
- A Farewell Supper (1938) (TV)
- Choose Cheese (1940)...Commentator
- Let George Do It (1940) (uncredited)...Officer
- Convoy (1940) (uncredited)...Bit Part
- Saloon Bar (1940)...Eddie Graves
- Sailors Three (1940)...British pilot...aka Three Cockeyed Sailors (USA)
- One of Our Aircraft is Missing (1942)...Organist
- Now Barabbas (1949)...Gale...aka Now Barabbas Was a Robber
- Melba (1953)...Cesar Carlton
- Richard III (1955)...Lord Hastings
- The Adventures of Quentin Durward (1955)...Charles, Duke of Burgundy...aka Quentin Durward (USA)
- Tiger in the Smoke (1956)...DDCI Charles Luke
- The Buccaneers (1956) (TV Series)...Gov. Woodes Rogers
- The England of Elizabeth (1957) (voice)...Narrator
- Tomorrow at Ten (1964)...Anthony Chester
- Hamlet (1964)(TV)...Polonius...aka Hamlet at Elsinore
- The Forth Road Bridge (1965)...Narrator
