X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

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.

Orson Welles Biography

Birth Name:
George Orson Welles
Birth Place:
Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States
Profession
Actor, director, writer, producer

Fast Facts

  • Was a child prodigy who excelled at poetry, painting, acting, the piano and magic
  • Made his first stage appearance at age 5 in a walk-on in the Chicago Opera's production of Samson and Delilah
  • Terrified radio listeners and caused a nationwide panic with a realistic 1938 broadcast of H
  • G
  • Wells' War of the Worlds
  • Was only 25 when he produced, directed, co-wrote and starred in Citizen Kane, voted No
  • 1 on the American Film Institute's list of 100 Greatest Movies
  • Was George Lucas's first choice to be the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars
  • Never won a Best Director Oscar; received an Honorary Oscar in 1970

Awards

  • 1982Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1968BAFTA Film Awards-Best Foreign Actor: nominated
  • 1959Cannes Film Festival-Best Actor: winner
  • 1952Cannes Film Festival-Grand Prix: winner
  • 1941Oscar-Best Achievement in Directing: nominated
  • 1941Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1941Oscar-Best Writing (Original Screenplay): winner
  • 1941National Board of Review-Best Acting: winner

Relationships