Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

John Gielgud Biography

Birth Name:Arthur John Gielgud

Birth Place:London, United Kingdom

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Director

Fast Facts

Was knighted in the 1953 Coronation of Honours, became a Companion of Honour in 1977 and joined the Order of Merit in 1996
Active in a campaign against the foie gras industry, PETA warded him with its Humanitarian of the Year Award in 1994 and 1999
In 1994, London's Globe Theatre was renamed the Gielgud Theatre in his honor
Until he was an early teen, he wanted to be a scenic designer, but decided to be an actor at 16 and won a scholarship to a drama school and later toured with a theater company
Quote: "Acting is half shame, half glory․ Shame at exhibiting yourself, glory when you can forget yourself․"
Was considered one of the best Shakespearean actors of his generation for his portrayals of Hamlet, Romeo, Richard II, Macbeth, Prospero and Antony
Brought life to a wide array of supporting characters on screen and was known for his rich, baritone voice
Had a tense friendship with fellow Shakespearean actor Laurence Olivier that was fraught with a competitiveness that caused Olivier to exclude Gielgud from playing in the Chorus of is film, "Henry V․"
In an era where homosexuality was a criminal act in England and Wales, he was arrested for trying to pick up a man in a public bathroom, and though he feared the incident would hurt his career, he still won standing ovations from audiences
Wrote several books, including "An Actor and His Time," "Early Stages" and "Distinguished Company․"

Awards

1936Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
1953NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1954BAFTA Film Award-Best British Actor: winner
1965Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1975BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1977NSFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1977NYFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
1981LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1981NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1982Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
1982Marquee-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1982BAFTA TV Award-Best Actor: nominated
1982BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Artist: nominated
1982Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture: winner
1982Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
1984Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
1985LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1985NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1985Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
1986BAFTA Film Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1986NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1988ACE-Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: winner
1989Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
1990BAFTA TV Award-Best Actor: nominated
1990Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: winner
1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast: nominated
1997BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated