Person

Person of New York

RICHARDSON Ralph
RICHARDSON Ralph
Subscribe to the person
RICHARDSON Ralph

RICHARDSON
Ralph

English actor

  • Date of Birth: 19 December 1902
  • Age at the time of death: 80 years old
  • Date death 10 October 1983
  • In the rating: #482 Actor

Connections 1

Biography

Sir Ralph David Richardson was an English actor who, with John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier, was one of the trinity of male actors who dominated the British stage for much of the 20th century. He worked in films throughout most of his career, and played more than sixty cinema roles. From an artistic but not theatrical background, Richardson had no thought of a stage career until a production of Hamlet in Brighton inspired him to become an actor. He learned his craft in the 1920s with a touring company and later the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. In 1931 he joined the Old Vic, playing mostly Shakespearean roles. He led the company the following season, succeeding Gielgud, who had taught him much about stage technique. After he left the company, a series of leading roles took him to stardom in the West End and on Broadway.

In the 1940s, together with Olivier and John Burrell, Richardson was the co-director of the Old Vic company. There, his most celebrated roles included Peer Gynt and Falstaff. He and Olivier led the company to Europe and Broadway in 1945 and 1946, before their success provoked resentment among the governing board of the Old Vic, leading to their dismissal from the company in 1947. In the 1950s, in the West End and occasionally on tour, Richardson played in modern and classic works including The Heiress, Home at Seven, and Three Sisters. He continued on stage and in films until shortly before his sudden death at the age of eighty. He was celebrated in later years for his work with Peter Hall's National Theatre and his frequent stage partnership with Gielgud. He was not known for his portrayal of the great tragic roles in the classics, preferring character parts in old and new plays.

Richardson's film career began as an extra in 1931. He was soon cast in leading roles in British and American films including Things to Come (1936), The Fallen Idol (1948), Long Day's Journey into Night (1962) and Doctor Zhivago (1965). He received nominations and awards in the UK, Europe and the US for his stage and screen work from 1948 until his death. Richardson was twice nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, first for The Heiress (1949) and again (posthumously) for his final film, Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984).

Throughout his career, and increasingly in later years, Richardson was known for his eccentric behaviour on and off stage. He was often seen as detached from conventional ways of looking at the world, and his acting was regularly described as poetic or magical.

Rating GlobalNY.biz

Mentions in the news View all

Mentioned together View all

Born in one day View all

Astrological profile CALCULATE

Date of Birth 19 December 1902
Age at the time of death 80 years old
Sagittarius Zodiac sign Sagittarius Sagittarius are fast-paced and unrestrained Sagittarius is an active (masculine) sign and this is noticeable. He, being a strategist or a simple executor, always retains his activity, even to the point of restlessness. In addition, its representativ…
Raven Slavic horoscope Raven The Raven chertog in the Svarog circle carries a distinct rhythm of character, totem strength, and life task. People born in this hall often recognize themselves through ties to nature, kin, and patronage.
Isis Egyptian horoscope Isis Isis in the Egyptian horoscope marks a period ruled by a distinct god — shaping temperament, luck in affairs, and the way a person protects what they value.
Elder Druid horoscope Elder Elder closes the Celtic year — transformation and mature-soul wisdom. Born 25 November to 23 December, Elder people feel cycles ending and help others through change.
Dhanu Indian horoscope Dhanu The Vedic rashi Dhanu carries a sidereal rhythm of Jyotish — temperament, dharma leanings, and the ruling graha color how a person acts and chooses.
Lotus Flower horoscope Lotus Born under Lotus in the flower horoscope, people often find strength in beauty, atmosphere, and the quiet symbolism of their birth bloom.
Sagittarius — 3rd decan Decan horoscope Sagittarius — 3rd decan Born in the Sagittarius — 3rd decan period, people often show a sharper flavor of their sign: faster or slower, bolder or more reflective, yet always recognizable by birth date.

This day is celebrated: Heroes and Heroines Day

Horoscope Sagittarius: horoscope for today, horoscope for tomorrow, horoscope for week, horoscope for month, horoscope for year, 射手座 星座运势, tử vi cung thủ, ดูดวง ธนู

Days left until next birthday: 95 Days.

Profile statistic

mentions
views

Quotes

All

Chris Olsen Addresses Meghan Trainor Feud Rumors and Friendship Status

OLSEN Chris
OLSEN Chris

There is currently no beef

John Malkovich Wins Best Actor at Venice Film Festival Amid Oscar Buzz

MALKOVICH John
MALKOVICH John

I am humbled to be chosen for this award, which has been given to so many wonderful actors over the past 83 iterations of the Venice Film Festival

Jimmy Kimmel Slams FCC ‘Threats’ as White House Fires Back

KIMMEL James
KIMMEL James

This is yet another attack on free speech, something that has become all too familiar for us at the show, for us in the country

BBC Line of Duty star Martin Compston teases new series and says 'this is the end'

COMPSTON Martin
COMPSTON Martin

It's for Jed to say, it's not for me to say whether the show will ever end but I think it's fair to say that this is the end of the story arc that's been building since series one. Everything will come to a head on this one.

Game of Thrones’ Maisie Williams Addresses Arya Stark Spinoff Rumors and Possible Return

WILLIAMS Margaret
WILLIAMS Margaret

I don’t know, really. She would have to be developed in some way because I feel like I’ve changed so much

Buy this ad slot 240×400 slot is free Write →

Events

All

Sober Day 14 September

The National Day of Sobriety is celebrated every year on September 14 as part of the month-long National Sobriety Month. This day was established in 2 ...

Read more >