Alec Guinness

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’.

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.

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’.

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

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.

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.