Albert Finney

Albert Finney - Film, Family and Childhood

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Albert Finney's Personal Details

Albert Finney is an Oscar-nominated English actor who established himself as a Shakespearean actor in the late 1950s

InformationDetail
BirthdayMay 9, 1936
NationalityBritish
FamousRoyal Academy Of Dramatic Art, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors, Theater Personalities, Film, Stage Actor
SpousesPene Delmage (m. 2006), Anouk Aimée (m. 1970–1978), Jane Wenham (m. 1957–1961)
ChildrensSimon Finney
Universities
  • Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art
  • Tootal Drive Primary School
  • Salford Grammar School
  • Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Notable Alumnis
  • Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art
Birth PlaceCharlestown, Pendleton, England
Height175
GenderMale
FatherAlbert Finney Sr.
MotherAlice Hobson
Net Worth$10 Million as of Jun 4,2017
Sun SignTaurus
Born inCharlestown, Pendleton, England
Famous asFilm & Stage Actor

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Albert Finney's photo

Who is Albert Finney?

Albert Finney is an Oscar-nominated English actor who established himself as a Shakespearean actor in the late 1950s. He is known for playing versatile roles which are critically acclaimed as well as commercially successful. He has impressed everyone with his talent to step into a role and wear a character's persona no matter the age, nationality, or profession like a Polish pope, a Belgian detective, an Irish gangster, a British miser, a gruff American lawyer, a Scottish King, a German religious reformer, and an Roman warrior. He has won many Oscar nominations for his roles. He has left his mark not only in acting but also in production and direction of films / series.

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Childhood & Early Life

Finney was born on 9th May, 1936, in Salford, Manchester, England in a working-class household to Alice (née Hobson) and Albert Finney, Sr.

He received his education at Tootal Drive Primary School and Salford Grammar School. He graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1955 and went on to become a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

His career began in the theatre; he made his first appearance on the London stage in 1958 in Jane Arden's ‘The Party’. Then in 1959 he appeared at Stratford in ‘Coriolanus’.

It was his work in the 1960 film ‘The Entertainer’ that launched his career on the big screen.

In 1960, Finney starred in the gritty and breakthrough film ‘Saturday Night and Sunday Morning’ where he portrayed a disillusioned factory worker.

Career

In 1963, Finney earned his first Academy Award nomination for his role in the very successful film ‘Tom Jones’. Before this movie, he appeared in kitchen sink drama series ‘Angry Young Man’.

Throughout the 1960s, Finney played a variety of roles, ranging from a psychopath in the 1964 thriller ‘Night Must Fall’ to Audrey Hepburn's love interest in 1967's ‘Two for the Road’.

Even with his success on the big screen, Finney never abandoned his stage performances. He continued his association with the National Theatre Company at the Old Vic in London, where he performed in the mid-1960s in Shakespeare's ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and Chekov's ‘The Cherry Orchard’.

After the 1968 ‘Charlie Bubbles’, which was directed by him, his film appearances became less frequent as he focused more on acting on stage.

One of his high-profile film roles was as Agatha Christie's Belgian master detective Hercule Poirot in the 1974 film ‘Murder On The Orient Express’.

While known for his dramatic roles, Finney appeared and sang in two musical films: ‘Scrooge’ and the Hollywood film version of ‘Annie’. He also appeared in ‘Under The Volcano’ two years later.

He received Tony Award nominations for ‘Luther’ (1964) and ‘A Day in the Death of Joe Egg’ (1968), and also starred onstage in ‘Love for Love’, Strindberg's ‘Miss Julie’, ‘Black Comedy’, ‘The Country Wife’, ‘Alpha Beta’, Beckett's Krapp's ‘Last Tape’, ‘Tamburlaine the Great’, ‘Another Time’ and, his last stage appearance in 1997, 'Art'.

Audiences got to see a new side of the actor in 1970, when he played the title role in the musical version of ‘A Christmas Carol’. In his mid-30s at the time, Finney required layers of makeup to play a convincing Ebenezer Scrooge. His musical numbers didn't require any stagecraft, though. In fact, his musical performances earned him praise as a "nimble song-and-dance man" by ‘New York’ magazine.

His 1983 movie, ‘The Dresser’ earned an Oscar nomination for him.

Finney made several television productions for the BBC in the 1990s, including ‘The Green Man’ (1990), ‘A Rather English Marriage’ (1998), and the lead role in two plays, ‘Karaoke’ and ‘Cold Lazarus’ in 1996 and 1997.

In 2002 his critically acclaimed portrayal of Winston Churchill in ‘The Gathering Storm’ won him BAFTA and Emmy awards as Best Actor.

He also played the title role in the television series ‘My Uncle Silas’, based on the short stories by H. E. Bates, about a roguish but lovable poacher-cum-farm laborer looking after his great-nephew. The show ran for two series from 2000 until 2003.

A lifelong supporter of ‘Manchester United, Finney narrated the documentary ‘Munich’, about the air crash that killed most of the players of the club in 1958, which was shown on United's TV channel MUTV in February 2008.

Finney also made an appearance at Roger Waters' ‘The Wall Concert in Berlin’, where he played "The Judge" during the performance of "The Trial".

He also tested success with starring roles in ‘Erin Brokovich’ (2000), ‘Big Fish’ (2003), ‘The Bourne Ultimatum’ (2007) and ‘Skyfall’ (2012).

Major Works

Finney tested success early in his career through ‘Tom Jones’ in 1963. It was a British adventure comedy film, an adaptation of Henry Fielding's classic novel The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. It was one of the most critically acclaimed and popular comedies of its time, winning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film is notable for its unusual comic style. The film was highly successful financially, becoming the third most popular at the British box office in 1963, and the 4th most popular in the United States.

One of the most stunning performances by Finney was in a British mystery movie ‘Murder on the Orient Express’. Finney played the role of a Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. This film was based on 1934 novel ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ by Agatha Christie. The film revolves around murder of American business tycoon, Mr. Ratchett on The Orient Express. The film was a success at the box office. It won many Academy Awards and BFATA nominations including Finney’s nomination for ‘Best Actor’. He also won an Oscar nomination for this role.

In 2002, he appeared in ‘The gathering Storm’. In this movie Finney played the lead role of Churchill. This film was critically acclaimed. He received many accolades for his performance, winning both a ‘BAFTA’ and ‘Emmy Award’ for his acting. Director and writer of the film were also awarded.

Awards & Achievements

In 1960, he won BFATA award for his role in ‘Saturday Night and Sunday Morning’ in ‘Most Promising Newcomer’ category. In the same category he won the ‘Golden Globe award’ for his role in ‘Tom Jones’ in 1963.

His role in ‘Scrooge’ brought him ‘Golden Globe award’ in ‘Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy’ category.

He won the ‘Olivier Award’, as ‘Best Actor’, for ‘Orphans’ in 1986.

The year 2002 was a special one for Finney as he won BFATA and Golden Globe award for ‘Best Actor’ for ‘The Gathering Strom’.

For the same role of Winston Churchill, in 2002, he won an ‘Emmy Award’, in ‘Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Made for TV Movie’ category.

Personal Life & Legacy

Finney married actresses Jane Wenham in 1957. After the divorce in 1961, he remarried actress Anouk Aimée in 1970. However, this marriage also resulted in a divorce in 1978.

In 2006, he married Penelope Delmage.

When he was just 21 years old, he fathered a son, Simon, from his first marriage.

From 2007 to 2012, Finney's presence on the big screen was limited due to battling prostate cancer.

Trivia

Impressed by Finney's talent, director David Lean arranged for him to have an elaborate screen test for the film ‘Lawrence of Arabia’. Finney disliked the terms of the contract and famously turned down the role. The role was instead played by Peter O'Toole, one of Finney's former classmates at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. This role became a milestone in O’Toole’s career.

Finney was nominated for Oscar four more times, but he never attended a ceremony in Los Angeles. Finney also never won an Oscar, though.

He seemed to perennially resist celebrity status. He turned down an offer of knighthood twice.

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Albert Finney's awards

YearNameAward

Golden Globe Awards

2003Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for TelevisionThe Gathering Storm (2002)
1971Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or MusicalScrooge (1970)
1964Most Promising Newcomer - MaleTom Jones (1963)

Primetime Emmy Awards

2002Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a MovieThe Gathering Storm (2002)

BAFTA Awards

2003Best ActorThe Gathering Storm (2002)
1961Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film RolesSaturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960)

Albert Finney biography timelines

  • // 1934
    One of the most stunning performances by Finney was in a British mystery movie ‘Murder on the Orient Express’. Finney played the role of a Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. This film was based on 1934 novel ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ by Agatha Christie. The film revolves around murder of American business tycoon, Mr. Ratchett on The Orient Express. The film was a success at the box office. It won many Academy Awards and BFATA nominations including Finney’s nomination for ‘Best Actor’. He also won an Oscar nomination for this role.
  • // 9th May 1936
    Finney was born on 9th May, 1936, in Salford, Manchester, England in a working-class household to Alice (née Hobson) and Albert Finney, Sr.
  • // 1955
    He received his education at Tootal Drive Primary School and Salford Grammar School. He graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1955 and went on to become a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
  • // 1958 To 1959
    His career began in the theatre; he made his first appearance on the London stage in 1958 in Jane Arden's ‘The Party’. Then in 1959 he appeared at Stratford in ‘Coriolanus’.
  • // 1958 To Feb 2008
    A lifelong supporter of ‘Manchester United, Finney narrated the documentary ‘Munich’, about the air crash that killed most of the players of the club in 1958, which was shown on United's TV channel MUTV in February 2008.
  • // 1960
    It was his work in the 1960 film ‘The Entertainer’ that launched his career on the big screen.
  • // 1960
    In 1960, Finney starred in the gritty and breakthrough film ‘Saturday Night and Sunday Morning’ where he portrayed a disillusioned factory worker.
  • // 1960 To 1963
    In 1960, he won BFATA award for his role in ‘Saturday Night and Sunday Morning’ in ‘Most Promising Newcomer’ category. In the same category he won the ‘Golden Globe award’ for his role in ‘Tom Jones’ in 1963.
  • // 1963
    In 1963, Finney earned his first Academy Award nomination for his role in the very successful film ‘Tom Jones’. Before this movie, he appeared in kitchen sink drama series ‘Angry Young Man’.
  • // 1963
    Finney tested success early in his career through ‘Tom Jones’ in 1963. It was a British adventure comedy film, an adaptation of Henry Fielding's classic novel The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. It was one of the most critically acclaimed and popular comedies of its time, winning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film is notable for its unusual comic style. The film was highly successful financially, becoming the third most popular at the British box office in 1963, and the 4th most popular in the United States.
  • // 1964 To 1967
    Throughout the 1960s, Finney played a variety of roles, ranging from a psychopath in the 1964 thriller ‘Night Must Fall’ to Audrey Hepburn's love interest in 1967's ‘Two for the Road’.
  • // 1968
    After the 1968 ‘Charlie Bubbles’, which was directed by him, his film appearances became less frequent as he focused more on acting on stage.
  • // 1970
    Audiences got to see a new side of the actor in 1970, when he played the title role in the musical version of ‘A Christmas Carol’. In his mid-30s at the time, Finney required layers of makeup to play a convincing Ebenezer Scrooge. His musical numbers didn't require any stagecraft, though. In fact, his musical performances earned him praise as a "nimble song-and-dance man" by ‘New York’ magazine.
  • // 1974
    One of his high-profile film roles was as Agatha Christie's Belgian master detective Hercule Poirot in the 1974 film ‘Murder On The Orient Express’.
  • // 1983
    His 1983 movie, ‘The Dresser’ earned an Oscar nomination for him.
  • // 1986
    He won the ‘Olivier Award’, as ‘Best Actor’, for ‘Orphans’ in 1986.
  • // 2000 To 2003
    He also played the title role in the television series ‘My Uncle Silas’, based on the short stories by H. E. Bates, about a roguish but lovable poacher-cum-farm laborer looking after his great-nephew. The show ran for two series from 2000 until 2003.
  • // 2002
    In 2002 his critically acclaimed portrayal of Winston Churchill in ‘The Gathering Storm’ won him BAFTA and Emmy awards as Best Actor.
  • // 2002
    In 2002, he appeared in ‘The gathering Storm’. In this movie Finney played the lead role of Churchill. This film was critically acclaimed. He received many accolades for his performance, winning both a ‘BAFTA’ and ‘Emmy Award’ for his acting. Director and writer of the film were also awarded.
  • // 2002
    The year 2002 was a special one for Finney as he won BFATA and Golden Globe award for ‘Best Actor’ for ‘The Gathering Strom’.
  • // 2002
    For the same role of Winston Churchill, in 2002, he won an ‘Emmy Award’, in ‘Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Made for TV Movie’ category.
  • // 2006
    In 2006, he married Penelope Delmage.
  • // 2007 To 2012
    From 2007 to 2012, Finney's presence on the big screen was limited due to battling prostate cancer.

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Albert Finney's FAQ

  • What is Albert Finney birthday?

    Albert Finney was born at 1936-05-09

  • Where is Albert Finney's birth place?

    Albert Finney was born in Charlestown, Pendleton, England

  • What is Albert Finney nationalities?

    Albert Finney's nationalities is British

  • Who is Albert Finney spouses?

    Albert Finney's spouses is Pene Delmage (m. 2006), Anouk Aimée (m. 1970–1978), Jane Wenham (m. 1957–1961)

  • Who is Albert Finney childrens?

    Albert Finney's childrens is Simon Finney

  • What was Albert Finney universities?

    Albert Finney studied at Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art, Tootal Drive Primary School, Salford Grammar School, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

  • What was Albert Finney notable alumnis?

    Albert Finney's notable alumnis is Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art

  • How tall is Albert Finney?

    Albert Finney's height is 175

  • Who is Albert Finney's father?

    Albert Finney's father is Albert Finney Sr.

  • Who is Albert Finney's mother?

    Albert Finney's mother is Alice Hobson

  • What is Albert Finney's sun sign?

    Albert Finney is Taurus

  • How famous is Albert Finney?

    Albert Finney is famouse as Film & Stage Actor