Richard Attenborough

Born:August 29, 1923

Place of Birth:Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, UK

Died:August 24, 2014

Known For:Acting

Biography

Richard Attenborough, known for his multifaceted career in the entertainment industry, left a lasting impact on the world of film and beyond. Born on August 29, 1923, in England, Attenborough's journey began with a deep-rooted passion for storytelling and performance. His involvement in the Royal Air Force during World War II not only showcased his bravery but also laid the foundation for his future endeavors in the world of cinema.

Transitioning from his wartime experiences, Attenborough emerged as a prominent figure in the film industry, both in front of and behind the camera. His directorial masterpiece, "Gandhi," earned him widespread acclaim, securing two Academy Awards and solidifying his reputation as a visionary filmmaker. Beyond his directorial achievements, Attenborough's on-screen presence captivated audiences in iconic films such as "Brighton Rock," "The Great Escape," and "Jurassic Park."

Notably, Attenborough's contributions extended beyond the silver screen, as he took on roles as a respected entrepreneur and politician. His leadership as the President of esteemed institutions like the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts showcased his commitment to nurturing talent and elevating the art of filmmaking.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Attenborough's personal life was marked by enduring relationships and familial bonds. His marriage to actress Sheila Sim stood as a testament to his unwavering support and companionship throughout his life. As the older brother of renowned naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough, Richard shared a familial connection rooted in shared passions and a dedication to their respective crafts.

Richard Attenborough's legacy continues to resonate in the hearts of audiences worldwide, his impact transcending generations and leaving an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape. His commitment to authenticity, storytelling, and social change through film remains an inspiration for aspiring filmmakers and performers alike. Though he may have left this world on August 24, 2014, his spirit lives on through the timeless characters he brought to life and the stories he shared with the world.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Jurassic Park

Hammond

1993

A wealthy entrepreneur secretly creates a theme park featuring living dinosaurs drawn from prehistoric DNA. Before opening day, he invites a team of experts and his two eager grandchildren to experience the park and help calm anxious investors. However, the park is anything but amusing as the security systems go off-line and the dinosaurs escape.

The Great Escape

Bartlett 'Big X'

1963

The Nazis, exasperated at the number of escapes from their prison camps by a relatively small number of Allied prisoners, relocate them to a high-security 'escape-proof' camp to sit out the remainder of the war. Undaunted, the prisoners plan one of the most ambitious escape attempts of World War II. Based on a true story.

A Matter of Life and Death

An English Pilot

1946

When a young RAF pilot miraculously survives bailing out of his aeroplane without a parachute, he falls in love with an American radio operator. But the officials in the other world realise their mistake and dispatch an angel to collect him.

Elizabeth

Sir William Cecil

1998

The story of the ascension to the throne and the early reign of Queen Elizabeth the First, the endless attempts by her council to marry her off, the Catholic hatred of her and her romance with Lord Robert Dudley.

A Bridge Too Far

Lunatic with Glasses (uncredited)

1977

The story of Operation Market Garden—a failed attempt by the allies in the latter stages of WWII to end the war quickly by securing three bridges in Holland allowing access over the Rhine into Germany. A combination of poor allied intelligence and the presence of two crack German panzer divisions meant that the final part of this operation (the bridge in Arnhem over the Rhine) was doomed to failure.

Miracle on 34th Street

Kris Kringle

1994

Six-year-old Susan Walker has doubts about childhood's most enduring miracle—Santa Claus. Her mother told her the secret about Santa a long time ago, but, after meeting a special department store Santa who's convinced he's the real thing, Susan is given the most precious gift of all—something to believe in.

Hamlet

English Ambassador

1996

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, returns home to find his father murdered and his mother now marrying the murderer... his uncle. Meanwhile, war is brewing.

The Sand Pebbles

Frenchy Burgoyne

1966

Engineer Jake Holman arrives aboard the gunboat USS San Pablo, assigned to patrol a tributary of the Yangtze in the middle of exploited and revolution-torn 1926 China. His iconoclasm and cynical nature soon clash with the 'rice-bowl' system which runs the ship and the uneasy symbiosis between Chinese and foreigner on the river. Hostility towards the gunboat's presence reaches a climax when the boat must crash through a river-boom and rescue missionaries upriver at China Light Mission.

10 Rillington Place

John Christie

1971

The story of British serial killer John Christie, who committed most or all of his crimes in the titular terraced house, and the miscarriage of justice involving Timothy Evans.

The Lost World: Jurassic Park

John Hammond

1997

Four years after Jurassic Park's genetically bred dinosaurs ran amok, multimillionaire John Hammond shocks chaos theorist Ian Malcolm by revealing that he has been breeding more beasties at a secret location. Malcolm, his paleontologist ladylove and a wildlife videographer join an expedition to document the lethal lizards' natural behavior in this action-packed thriller.

Production

Gandhi

Producer

1982

In the early years of the 20th century, Mohandas K. Gandhi, a British-trained lawyer, forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government, Gandhi adopts a policy of 'passive resistance', endeavouring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed.

A Bridge Too Far

Director

1977

Chaplin

Producer

1992

An aged Charlie Chaplin narrates his life to his autobiography's editor, including his rise to wealth and comedic fame from poverty, his turbulent personal life and his run-ins with the FBI.