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Charles Laughton Biography

Birth Name:Charles Laughton

Birth Place:Scarborough, Yorkshire, England

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Writer, Producer, Director

Fast Facts

  • Read aloud to wounded Allied soldiers during World War II
  • Worked in this family's hotel business until they let him study drama at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1925
  • Started out making contributions to the interpretation of Shakespeare and other classic plays, but turned to a film career after his first stint in Hollywood
  • Showed his fascination with humanity's dark side as well as his flair for the comic in many of his performances
  • Collected art, and owned pieces by Morris Graves, Nicholas de Stael, Alfred Manessier, Sir Matthew Smith, Siqueiros, Pierre Soulages and Vieira de Silva
  • Went on many successful one-man tours in which he read aloud from works ranging from the Bible to "The Dharma Bums" by Jack Kerouac
  • Had an interest in Japanese culture, and in 1960, he travelled to the country to see it firsthand

Awards

  • 1932Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
  • 1932Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (December): winner
  • 1933Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (December): winner
  • 1933Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (February): winner
  • 1934Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1934Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
  • 1935NYFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 1935Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
  • 1935Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (March): winner
  • 1936Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1936Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
  • 1938NBR Award-Best Acting: winner
  • 1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (March): winner
  • 1940Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (March): winner
  • 1940Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (March): winner
  • 1941Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
  • 1942Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (September): winner
  • 1943Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (June): winner
  • 1946Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (April): winner
  • 1948Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (April): winner
  • 1958Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1958David-Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero): winner
  • 1958Golden Globe-Best Actor - Drama: nominated
  • 1959BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: nominated
  • 1963BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: nominated