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Richard Attenborough Biography

Birth Name:
Richard Samuel Attenborough
Birth Place:
Cambridge, England
Profession
Actor, director, producer

Fast Facts

  • Two Jewish-German refugees, sisters Helga and Irene Bejach, were informally adopted by Attenborough's parents in the 1930s
  • The sisters lived with the Attenboroughs for seven years
  • Joined the Royal Air Force during World War II
  • Knighted in 1976 and made a life peer in 1993
  • Daughter Jane and granddaughter Lucy were killed in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
  • Entirely Up to You, Darling, his autobiography, written with Diana Hawkins, was released in the United Kingdom in 2008
  • Served as president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

Awards

  • 1998Berlin Film Festival-Berlinale Camera: winner
  • 1994BAFTA Film Awards-Best Film: nominated
  • 1994BAFTA Film Awards-The David Lean Award for Achievement in Direction: nominated
  • 1994BAFTA Film Awards-The Alexander Korda Award for the Outstanding British Film of the Year: winner
  • 1988BAFTA Film Awards-Best Film: nominated
  • 1988BAFTA Film Awards-Best Achievement in Direction: nominated
  • 1988Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1986Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1983BAFTA Film Awards-Best Film: winner
  • 1983BAFTA Film Awards-Best Direction: winner
  • 1983Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: winner
  • 1982Directors Guild of America Awards-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film: winner
  • 1982Oscar-Best Achievement in Directing: winner
  • 1982Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: winner
  • 1978BAFTA Film Awards-Best Direction: nominated
  • 1970BAFTA Film Awards-Best Direction: nominated
  • 1969Directors Guild of America Awards-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film: nominated
  • 1968Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 1967Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 1965BAFTA Film Awards-Best British Actor: winner
  • 1965BAFTA Film Awards-Best British Actor: winner
  • 1961BAFTA Film Awards-Best British Actor: nominated

Relationships