Richard Attenborough

@Producer, Timeline and Life ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Richard Attenborough was an actor and film director best known for his Academy Award winning movie, ‘Gandhi’ Philanthropists British Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art Film & Theater Personalities Actors Directors T V & Movie Producers Virgo Celebrities The man who brought to life on screen the life and teachings of the great leader of the Indian nationalist movement, Mohandas Gandhi, in the movie ‘Gandhi’, Richard Attenborough was an actor, film director and producer. Attenborough as an actor had already made a mark for himself in Hollywood, but when he directed the film, ‘Gandhi’, he became a legend of sorts. He began his acting career as a theatre artist before moving on to work in films. A prolific actor, he worked tirelessly and was one of the most talented British actors ever to grace the silver screen. Born to a scholar and academician father, young Richard chose an unlikely profession for himself. But he definitely imbibed his parents’ dedication towards their respective professions, their idealism and sense of social responsibility. Starting out as an actor, he was initially stereotyped as someone who played cowards. But Attenborough was no coward in real life and lived the life of a highly principled man. After a successful stint as an actor he took to direction and made several successful movies like ‘Gandhi’ and ‘Cry Freedom’, both based on the lives of social activists.

Personal Details

Birthday: August 29, 1923 Died on: August 24, 2014 Nationality: British Famous: Producer, Philanthropists, Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors, Directors, T V & Movie Producers Spouses: Sheila Sim Siblings: David Attenborough Universities: Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art Information Detail Birthday August 29, 1923 Died on August 24, 2014 Nationality British Famous Producer, Philanthropists, Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors, Directors, T V & Movie Producers Spouses Sheila Sim Siblings David Attenborough Universities Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art Notable Alumnis Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art Birth Place Cambridge, England Gender Male Father Frederick Levi Attenborough Mother Mary Clegg Net Worth $20 million Sun Sign Virgo Born in Cambridge, England Famous as Actor, Director, Producer Died at Age 90

Cambridge, England

Richard Attenborough born at Unsplash Birth Place

He married actress Sheila Sim in 1945. The couple was happily married and was blessed with three children. His daughter Jane perished in the Asian tsunami in 2004. Unsplash Personal Life

He was a dedicated philanthropist who served as the President of the Muscular Dystrophy campaign. Unsplash Personal Life

He believed that everyone irrespective of race, color, or ethnicity should get the right to education and was actively involved with the United World Colleges movement and the Waterford Kamhlaba United World College. Unsplash Personal Life

He was the eldest son of Frederick Attenborough and Mary Clegg. His father was a scholar and a fellow of the Emmanuel College, Cambridge while his mother was a founding member of the Marriage Guidance Council. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

He studied at the Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester before going to Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) to study drama. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

His family was principled and socially responsible. His parents adopted two German Jewish refugee orphan girls in 1939 and raised them in addition to their own three boys. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

He served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. There he flew with the Film Unit over Europe and filmed from the rear gunner’s position on several occasions. Unsplash Career

He began his acting career on stage before moving on to Hollywood. His first film appearance was in 1942 though in an uncredited role. Unsplash Career

His breakthrough role came in 1947 when he played Pinkie Brown in the film noir, ‘Brighton Rock’ based on Graham Greene’s novel. His role was much appreciated. Unsplash Career

The 1950s were a very productive time for Attenborough who had by now become a popular actor. Over this decade he appeared in several comedies like ‘Private’s Progress’ (1956) and ‘I’m All Right Jack’ (1959). Unsplash Career

He got the chance to appear in the ensemble cast of ‘The Great Escape’ in 1963 as Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett. The movie went on to become a major blockbuster. Unsplash Career

The 1982 movie ‘Gandhi’ is considered to be his masterpiece. Based on the life of the Indian nationalist, Mohandas Gandhi, this movie was very close to Attenborough’s heart. The film was very well received by the critics and won numerous awards and nominations. Unsplash Major Works

Information	Detail
Birthday	August 29, 1923
Died on	August 24, 2014
Nationality	British
Famous	Producer, Philanthropists, Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors, Directors, T V & Movie Producers
Spouses	Sheila Sim
Siblings	David Attenborough
Universities	Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art
Notable Alumnis	Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art
Birth Place	Cambridge, England
Gender	Male
Father	Frederick Levi Attenborough
Mother	Mary Clegg
Net Worth	$20 million
Sun Sign	Virgo
Born in	Cambridge, England
Famous as	Actor, Director, Producer
Died at Age	90

Richard Attenborough

British

Aug 29, 1923

Biography

Personal Details

Cambridge, England