Richardson, Sir Ralph

Richardson, Sir Ralph

▪ British actor
in full  Sir Ralph David Richardson  
born Dec. 19, 1902, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Eng.
died Oct. 10, 1983, London
 British stage and motion-picture actor who, with Sir John Gielgud (Gielgud, Sir John) and Laurence Olivier (Olivier, Laurence, Baron Olivier of Brighton), was one of the greatest British actors of his generation.

      Richardson began his acting career at age 18, performing in Shakespearean plays (Shakespeare, William) with a touring company. In 1926 he became a member of the Birmingham Repertory Company and made his London debut that year in Sophocles' Oedipus at Colonus. He joined the Old Vic in 1930 and gained prominence in a series of West End productions of modern plays, including Somerset Maugham's Sheppey (1933) and J.B. Priestley's Cornelius (1935). After serving in the Fleet Air Arm during World War II, he returned to the Old Vic, where, along with Olivier, he was both actor and codirector. His performances in such roles as Peer Gynt and Falstaff brought his reputation to its height. In the 1950s he received further acclaim with the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre Company, appearing as Prospero and Volpone. Richardson projected a personality unique in the British theatre, one that was charming and refined, but also mischievous and capable of hinting at sinister or tragic depths in the characters he played.

      Richardson's motion-picture career began in 1933 with a role in The Ghoul. He appeared in numerous films, though often in relatively minor roles. His notable films include The Fallen Idol (1948), The Heiress (1949), Richard III (1955), Our Man in Havana (1960), Long Day's Journey into Night (1962), and Doctor Zhivago (1965). Richardson also directed one film in which he starred, Murder on Monday (1952; also known as Home at Seven). He was knighted in 1947.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Richardson,Sir Ralph David — Richardson, Sir Ralph David. 1902 1983. British actor noted for his strong characterizations in classic roles as well as in contemporary works, such as Pinter s No Man s Land (1975). * * * …   Universalium

  • Richardson, Sir Ralph (David) — born Dec. 19, 1902, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Eng. died Oct. 10, 1983, London British actor. He began his acting career at age 18 and gained prominence in the 1930s and 40s at the Old Vic in roles such as Peer Gynt, Petruchio, Falstaff, and… …   Universalium

  • Richardson, Sir Ralph (David) — (19 dic. 1902, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Inglaterra–10 oct. 1983, Londres). Actor británico. Comenzó su carrera como actor a los 18 años y obtuvo renombre en las décadas de 1930 y 1940 al representar roles como Peer Gynt, Petruchio, Falstaff y …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Sir Ralph Richardson — Ralph Richardson 1962 Sir Ralph David Richardson (* 19. Dezember 1902 in Cheltenham, England; † 10. Oktober 1983 in London) war ein britischer Schauspieler. Ralph Richardson war seit 1933 im Filmgeschäft tätig und wurde zweimal für den Oscar als… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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  • Sir Ralph David Richardson — noun British stage and screen actor noted for playing classic roles (1902 1983) • Syn: ↑Richardson, ↑Ralph Richardson • Instance Hypernyms: ↑actor, ↑histrion, ↑player, ↑thespian, ↑role player …   Useful english dictionary

  • Richardson — Richardson, Owen Williams Richardson, Samuel Richardson, Tony * * * (as used in expressions) Richardson, Dorothy M(iller) Richardson, Henry Handel Ethel Florence Lindesay Richardson Richardson, Henry Hobson Richardson, John …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Richardson — /rich euhrd seuhn/, n. 1. Henry Handel (Henrietta Richardson Robertson), 1870 1946, Australian novelist. 2. Henry Hobson /hob seuhn/, 1838 86, U.S. architect. 3. Jack (Carter), born 1934, U.S. playwright and novelist. 4. Sir Owen Williams, 1879… …   Universalium

  • Ralph Richardson — noun British stage and screen actor noted for playing classic roles (1902 1983) • Syn: ↑Richardson, ↑Sir Ralph David Richardson • Instance Hypernyms: ↑actor, ↑histrion, ↑player, ↑thespian, ↑role player …   Useful english dictionary

  • Richardson — noun 1. United States architect (1838 1886) • Syn: ↑Henry Hobson Richardson • Instance Hypernyms: ↑architect, ↑designer 2. British stage and screen actor noted for playing classic roles (1902 1983) • Syn: ↑Ralph Richa …   Useful english dictionary

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