Richard Samuel Attenborough is a British actor, director, politician, and businessman. The epic film “Gandhi,” which he directed, is most known for depicting the life and teachings of the great Indian leader Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Read this article to find out more about him.
Richard Samuel Attenborough was born to his parents Frederick Attenborough and Mary Clegg on August 29, 1923 in Cambridge, England. Before enrolling in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), he attended the Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester to study.
He was the younger brother of David Attenborough, the renowned naturalist and broadcaster. Richard Attenborough is best known for his roles in films such as The Great Escape, Jurassic Park, and Gandhi, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Director.
Read Also: Suki Waterhouse’s Bio, Age, Career, Net Worth, Movies, Husband
Richard Attenborough Career
Richard Attenborough started his career in the entertainment industry as a child actor in the 1930s. He appeared in several British films and theatre productions before joining the Royal Air Force during World War II. After the war, he resumed his acting career and went on to become a prominent actor in the British film industry.
Attenborough’s breakthrough role came in 1947 when he starred in the film Brighton Rock. He played the lead character Pinkie Brown, a teenage gangster, and his performance was highly acclaimed by critics. This role propelled him to fame and made him a household name in the UK.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the actor continued to work as an actor in British and American films. He appeared in several notable films such as The Angry Silence, The Great Escape, and Guns at Batasi. In 1963, he won a BAFTA Award for Best Actor for his performance in The L-Shaped Room.
In the 1970s, he shifted his focus to producing and directing films. He formed his own production company, Beaver Films, and produced several successful films such as Oh! What a Lovely War, A Bridge Too Far, and Gandhi. He also directed several films, including A Chorus Line, Cry Freedom, and Chaplin.
His most successful film was Gandhi, a biopic of the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi. The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Attenborough. The film was a critical and commercial success and is still regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.
Richard Attenborough Death
Richard Attenborough passed away on August 24, 2014, at the age of 90. He left behind a rich legacy in the entertainment industry and is remembered as one of the most talented actors, producers, and directors of his generation. His contributions to the film industry and his humanitarian efforts will continue to inspire future generations.
Richard Attenborough Movies
Here is a list of some of Richard Attenborough’s most notable films as an actor, producer, and director:
As An Actor:
- Brighton Rock (1947)
- The Great Escape (1963)
- Guns at Batasi (1964)
- The Flight of the Phoenix (1965)
- Doctor Dolittle (1967)
- The Battle of Britain (1969)
- Jurassic Park (1993)
As A Producer:
- The Angry Silence (1960)
- Oh! What a Lovely War (1969)
- A Bridge Too Far (1977)
- Gandhi (1982)
- Cry Freedom (1987)
As A Director:
- Oh! What a Lovely War (1969)
- A Bridge Too Far (1977)
- Gandhi (1982)
- Cry Freedom (1987)
- Chaplin (1992)
Read Also: Ahmad Rashad Bio, Age, Wives, Children, Net Worth
Richard Attenborough Wife
Richard Attenborough’s wife was Sheila Sim, a British actress whom he married in 1945. They were married for 69 years until Attenborough’s death in 2014. Sheila Sim appeared in several films in the 1940s and 1950s, including A Canterbury Tale and The Saint in London. After her acting career, she worked as a theatre director and drama teacher. The couple had three children together: Michael, Charlotte, and Jane.
Richard Attenborough Age
Richard Samuel Attenborough was 90 years of age at the time of his death. The famous English actor was born on August 29, 1923 in Cambridge, England.