Sir Alec was an advertising copywriter before he turned to acting in the 1930s. He spent several years performing on the London stage prior to World War II; after the war, his film roles in Great Expectations (1946) and Oliver Twist (1948) for director David Lean launched his cinematic career. Guinness next captured the attention of critics and audiences by playing an astounding eight roles ? one of them female ? in Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949).
He received his first Academy Award nomination for his performance as Henry Holland in The Lavender Hill Mob (1951). His next nomination, for Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), would net him a Best Actor trophy and secure his place at the peak of his profession. He would go on to play roles in such memorable films as Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Doctor Zhivago (1965) before his portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars trilogy (1977-1983) introduced him to a younger generation of filmgoers.
In addition to his acting skills, Sir Alec possessed remarkable skills as a writer. He received an Academy Award nomination for his adapted screenplay of The Horse's Mouth (1958), in which he also starred, and penned three best-selling autobiographies. He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 1955, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1959. In 1980, he was given an honorary Academy Award for his cinematic achievements.
Guinness died August 5, 2000, at the age of 86.
ENGLAND