John Gielgud
English actor and director, dominant figure of mid-20th-century British stage.
Last updated
via Wikipedia: Phil Brown (actor) · see source
A member of the Terry family theatrical dynasty, his career spanned eight decades, and he was regarded by many as the finest Hamlet of his era.
Quick Facts
- Field
- Actor and theatre director
- Nationality
- English
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
On his father's side, he was of Lithuanian and Polish descent; the surname derives from Gelgaudiškis, a village in Lithuania. His mother was a member of the Terry stage dynasty. During the 1930s Gielgud was a stage star in the West End and on Broadway, appearing in new works and classics. In the 1950s he feared his career was threatened when he was convicted and fined for a homosexual offence, but his colleagues and the public supported him loyally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role is John Gielgud most associated with?
He is best remembered for his Shakespearean work, particularly his celebrated interpretation of Hamlet, which many critics considered the definitive performance of his generation. He was equally at home in high comedy, most notably as John Worthing in The Importance of Being Earnest.
Did John Gielgud achieve EGOT status?
Yes. Over the course of his career he collected an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony, making him one of the very few entertainers to complete the full EGOT set.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: John Gielgud (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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