Despite turning down the honor of knigthood on three occassions, he was appointed Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 1956
Took an interest in acting at the age of 12 after entering the Varndean Secondary School in Brighton, England
Passed away in 2008 at 86 after a long battle with leukemia
Compared to Sir Laurence Olivier early in his stage career, he would make his stage debut in 1940 with Desire Under the Elms at the Westminster Theatre
Landed roles in 30 feature films, mostly all originating in Europe
Most well known for his adaptation of "King Lear" in 1962, a performance lauded by many as being a greatest Shakespearean performance to date
Awards
1956BAFTA Film Award-Most Promising Newcomer to Film:winner