When was John Gielgud born and where did he grow up?
John Gielgud was born on the 14th of April 1904 in a house on Cromwell Road in South Kensington. He grew up as the third child of Frank Henry Gielgud and Kate Terry-Gielgud.
Questions about John Gielgud
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What were the early career highlights for John Gielgud before his first major role?
John Gielgud made his professional debut playing the Herald in Henry V at the Old Vic in November 1921. His training continued at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art under Kenneth Barnes and Claude Rains throughout 1923, leading to roles like Felix in The Insect Play.
How did John Gielgud influence Laurence Olivier's career during their collaboration?
John Gielgud gave Laurence Olivier a major step up by letting him play Romeo after initially playing Mercutio in their production of Romeo and Juliet. This decision helped launch Olivier into stardom despite Olivier remaining prickly about notices praising Gielgud's verse speaking.
What legal trouble affected John Gielgud's life in the 1950s and how did it impact his work?
John Gielgud was arrested in Chelsea on the evening of the 20th of October 1953 for cottaging while cruising for sex in a public lavatory. He was fined and suffered a nervous breakdown months later, which caused him to concentrate on directing without appearing on stage between December 1953 and June 1955.
Which awards did John Gielgud win and what were some of his notable film performances?
John Gielgud won an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony Award, making him one of the few artists with this distinction. His most successful performance was as Hobson Moore's butler in Steve Gordon's Arthur, for which he won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.