Alec Guinness

@Film & Theater Personalities, Life Achievements and Childhood ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Alec Guinness was an Oscar-winning British actor best known for his performance in the film ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ Cancer Celebrities British Film & Theater Personalities Actors Aries Celebrities Alec Guinness is a renowned name in the English film industry till date, best remembered as one of the three actors who successfully transitioned from Shakespearean theatre to Hollywood blockbusters following World War II. Guinness developed his passion for acting, early in his life. He stepped into the world of stardom with miniscule roles for theatre groups. No sooner he was enrolled as a professional theatre actor. Guinness found his early success playing major roles in Shakespearean plays such as Hamlet, Merchant of Venice, Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet and Tempest. He made his maiden appearance on the big screen in 1946 with David Lean’s film, ‘Great Expectations’. Following this, he starred in a number of Ealing Comedies. Guinness’s collaboration with Lean spelled success and triumph for both the actor and the director. Lean’s 1957 movie, ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ became a major blockbuster in Guinness’ career. Also, it won him several significant awards including Academy Award and Golden Globe. Though Guinness had established his reputation as an actor, worldwide recognition eluded him until Lucas’s ‘Star Wars’ trilogy happened. The series made him a household name and catapulted his fame internationally.

Personal Details

Birthday: April 2, 1914 Died on: August 5, 2000 Nationality: British Famous: Film & Theater Personalities, Actors Spouses: Merula Salaman Known as: Sir Alec Guinness, Alec Guinness de Cuffe Childrens: Matthew Guinness Information Detail Birthday April 2, 1914 Died on August 5, 2000 Nationality British Famous Film & Theater Personalities, Actors Spouses Merula Salaman Known as Sir Alec Guinness, Alec Guinness de Cuffe Childrens Matthew Guinness Cause of death Cancer Birth Place Maida Vale Religion Catholicism Height 178cm Gender Male Father A Mother Agnes Cuff Sun Sign Aries Born in Maida Vale Famous as Actor Died at Age 86

Maida Vale

Alec Guinness born at Unsplash Birth Place

Alec Guinness married actress Merula Sylvia Salamanartist in 1938. The couple was blessed with a son, Matthew Guinness, who became an actor. Unsplash Personal Life

Alec died of liver cancer on August 5, 2000, at Midhurst, West Sussex. He was interred at Petersfield, Hampshire. His wife died two months later and was interred alongside him. Unsplash Personal Life

Alec Guinness was born as Alec Guinness de Cuffe, to Agnes Cuff in Paddington, London, on April 2, 1914. There is no accurate information about the identity of his father. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

Young Guinness completed his early education from the Fettes College. His education fee was paid by a Scottish banker, Andrew Geddes, who young Guinness believed was his father. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

Post completing his education in 1932, Alec Guinness started working as an apprentice copywriter for an advertising agency in London. It was during this time that Guinness realised his passion for acting. Unsplash Career

He won a scholarship at the Fay Compton Studio of Dramatic Art, following his victory in an audition held by the drama institute. Guinness first ever appearance in theatre was in the year 1934 for the play ‘Libel’. Unsplash Career

Following his inaugural performance at the old King’s theatre, Hammersmith, Guinness appeared in several plays such as ‘Hamlet’, ‘Thunder Rock’ etc, for various theatre groups. It was during this time that he befriended many of his future friends and co-stars. Unsplash Career

Towards the end of the 1930s, Guinness starred in a number of Shakespearean roles for Shakespearean plays such as ‘The Merchant of Venice’, ‘Hamlet’, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Twelfth Night’, ‘Henry V’, ‘The Tempest’. Unsplash Career

With the onset of World War II, Guinness enlisted himself in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve as a seaman. In 1942, he received a commission as an officer. Meanwhile, Guinness did not let go off his acting career completely and appeared in a Broadway production during his service in World War II Unsplash Career

Guinness most acclaimed work came in 1957 with the release of the movie ‘The Bridge on the Rive Kwai’. Guinness played the character of British POW, Colonel Nicholson, in the film. He won the Academy Award, the BAFTA and the Golden Globe Award for his performance in the film. Unsplash Major Works

Guinness artistic prowess had well been established by his theatre roles and films but his popularity didn’t cross oceans. However, in 1977, that too changed when he was roped in to play the role of Obi Wan Kenobi for the Star Wars trilogy. The role gained him international fame and worldwide recognition. Unsplash Major Works

Information	Detail
Birthday	April 2, 1914
Died on	August 5, 2000
Nationality	British
Famous	Film & Theater Personalities, Actors
Spouses	Merula Salaman
Known as	Sir Alec Guinness, Alec Guinness de Cuffe
Childrens	Matthew Guinness
Cause of death	Cancer
Birth Place	Maida Vale
Religion	Catholicism
Height	178cm
Gender	Male
Father	A
Mother	Agnes Cuff
Sun Sign	Aries
Born in	Maida Vale
Famous as	Actor
Died at Age	86

Alec Guinness

British

Apr 2, 1914

Biography

Personal Details

Maida Vale