When and where was Laurence Olivier born?
Laurence Kerr Olivier was born on the 22nd of May 1907 in Dorking, Surrey. He entered the world as the youngest child of Reverend Gerard Kerr Olivier and Agnes Louise Crookenden.
Questions about Laurence Olivier
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What role did Laurence Olivier play that became his most frequently imitated performance?
His performance as Richard III at the Old Vic company became his most frequently imitated role. This supremacy went unchallenged until Antony Sher played it forty years later.
Who did Laurence Olivier marry after divorcing Vivien Leigh?
He married Joan Plowright in March 1961 after reporting his relationship with her to the press. A son named Richard was born in December 1961 followed by two daughters Tamsin Agnes Margaret and Julie-Kate.
Why did Laurence Olivier suffer from stage fright during his directorship of the National Theatre?
For the first time Olivier began suffering from stage fright which plagued him for several years when he took over as Solness in The Master Builder in November 1964. His burden included playing Othello directed by John Dexter in 1964 which divided opinion among reviewers.
When did Laurence Olivier die and where were his ashes buried?
Laurence Olivier died on the 11th of July 1989 aged 82 at his home in Ashurst near Steyning. His ashes were later buried in Poets' Corner after a memorial service held in Westminster Abbey.