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Alec Guinness

Alec Guinness TV Listings

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TCMSun, Feb 21, 1:30 PMThe Bridge on the River KwaiBuy
TCMSun, Feb 21, 4:30 PMDoctor ZhivagoBuy

Alec Guinness Biography

alec guinness
  • Birth Name: Alec Guinness de Cuffe
  • Birth Place: Marylebone, London, England
  • Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 04/02/1914, Aries
  • Date of Death: 08/05/2000
  • Profession: Actor
Alec Guinness Fast Facts:
  • Unable to afford drama school, earned $3.50 a week as a junior copywriter in an ad agency at age 18.
  • Attended Fay Compton Studio of Dramatic Art at the recommendation of actor Sir John Gielgud.
  • Met future wife, playwright Merula Salaman, in a 1935 stage production of Noah.
  • Honed acting skills in plays by the likes of Shakespeare and Chekhov at The Old Vic.
  • Joined the Royal Navy in 1941 as a seaman and the following year was commissioned a lieutenant.
  • Ever versatile, the master of disguise delighted in the eight parts created for his film classic Kind Hearts and Coronets.
  • Knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his stage and screen achievements in 1959.
  • Annually designed an original Christmas card.
  • Published two autobiographies, Blessings in Disguise (1985) and My Name Escapes Me (1997).
  • Though known for his biting wit he was notoriously shy.
  • Did not embrace his most famous and lucrative role, Ben 'Obi-Wan' Kenobi from Star Wars, with high regard.
    Alec Guinness Relationships:
  • Agnes Cuffe - Mother
  • Matthew Guinness - Son
  • Merula Salaman Guinness - Wife

  • Alec Guinness Awards:
  • 1960 Emmy: Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor - Nominee
  • 1958 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama - Winner
  • 1989 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Nominee
  • 1988 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role - Nominee
  • 1983 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Special - Nominee
  • 1952 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role - Nominee
  • 1957 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role - Winner
  • 1978 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Nominee
  • 1964 Tony: Actor (Dramatic) - Winner
  • 1958 Oscar: Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - Nominee
  • 1977 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role - Nominee
  • 1979 Oscar: Honorary Award - Winner

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Alec Guinness: The Authorised Biography
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