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Alec Guinness Biography

Birth Name:Alec Guinness de Cuffe

Birth Place:Marylebone, London, England

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Writer

Fast Facts

Was awarded honorary degrees from Oxford University and Cambridge University
Worked as an advertising copywriter before entering acting
Often portrays multiple characters in his various roles
Frequently takes on the role of authority figures
Helped invade Sicily and Elba as a member of the Royal Navy during World War II
Met James Dean days before the actor's fatal car crash

Awards

1950NBR Award-Best Actor: winner
1950NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1950Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
1951Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (March): winner
1951Gold Medal-Best Actor: winner
1952Silver Ribbon-Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero): winner
1952Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (April): winner
1953Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1955NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1956BAFTA Film Award-Best British Actor: nominated
1957NBR Award-Best Actor: winner
1957NYFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
1958Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
1958BAFTA Film Award-Best British Actor: winner
1958Golden Globe-Best Actor - Drama: winner
1958Golden Laurel-Top Male Dramatic Performance: nominated
1958NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1958New Cinema Award-Best Actor: winner
1958Volpi Cup-Best Actor: winner
1959Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: nominated
1959Golden Laurel-Top Male Comedy Performance: nominated
1959Sant Jordi-Best Foreign Actor (Mejor Actor Extranjero): winner
1960BAFTA Film Award-Best British Screenplay: nominated
1960Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor (Lead or Support): nominated
1960New Cinema Award-Best Actor: winner
1961BAFTA Film Award-Best British Actor: nominated
1961Sant Jordi-Best Foreign Actor (Mejor Actor Extranjero): winner
1967KCFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1978Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1978Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1978Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture: nominated
1979Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Actor: winner
1980BAFTA TV Award-Best Actor: winner
1980Broadcasting Press Guild Award-Best Actor: winner
1983BAFTA TV Award-Best Actor: winner
1983Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
1986BAFTA TV Award-Best Actor: nominated
1988LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1988NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1989Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1989Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
1989NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2023OFTA Film Hall of Fame-Character: winner