Alec Guinness Wiki: Sir Alec Guinness was a respected British actor best known for his parts in many classic movies and plays. Alec Guinness de Cuffe was born on April 2, 1914. He started playing in the early 1930s, making people laugh and cry until his death in August 2000. He won many awards during his time, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and a Tony Award. In this segment, we learn more about Alec Guinness’s personal life. This gives us a closer look at who he was outside of his successful work.
Table of Contents
Alec Guinness was born to Agnes Cuff in Maida Vale, London. No one has ever been able to confirm who his father was, but Guinness thought he was a Scottish banker named Andrew Geddes. Even though no one knows who his parents were, Guinness made his mark on the world with his skills. Merula Silvia Salaman was an artist, playwright, and actor. They got married in 1938. They had a boy together named Matthew, who also became an actor. Alec Guinness died on August 5, 2000, and he left a significant impact behind.
Alec Guinness Wiki/Bio
| Personal Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sir Alec Guinness CH CBE |
| Date of Birth | April 2, 1914 |
| Place of Birth | Maida Vale, London, England |
| Date of Death | August 5, 2000 |
| Education | Fay Compton Studio of Dramatic Art |
| Spouse | Merula Silvia Salaman |
| Children | Matthew Guinness |
| Profession | Actor |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Awards | Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, Tony Award |
| Knighted | 1959 by Queen Elizabeth II |
| Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame | Received in 1960 |
Alec Guinness Height, Weight, and More
Even though Guinness is known for his acting skills, there’s no denying that his looks also played a role in his appearance. People often say that Guinness’s expressive eyes and sophisticated manner gave his figures a unique sense of realism. He didn’t look like much, but he had an undeniable personality on screen that made him stand out among his peers.
Not much about Guinness’s exact height, weight, and age is known. This may be because his skills and performances overshadowed such details. He was of average height and kept a good weight throughout his career. The depth of his voice was another part of his body that worked well for his roles. It often gave his acts an extra layer of depth.
| Physical Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5’10” (Approximately) |
| Weight | 160 lbs (Approximately) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Voice Type | Baritone |
| Distinctive Features | Expressive eyes, Sophisticated demeanor |
Alec Guinness Career Information
In 1934, Guinness started to act on the stage. At 22, he was already performing in big West End shows. During his career, he had many different parts on stage and in movies, and he worked with some of the best directors of his time, like David Lean. Even though he has been in many films, Guinness may be best known for playing Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars series by George Lucas.
The actor’s career lasted for more than 60 years. During that time, he played many classic parts that helped advance the arts of film and theater. Guinness showed his talent and versatility as an actor, from Shakespearean plays to Hollywood blockbusters. Every role he played showed how much he cared about his job, whether it was the charming but sneaky main character in “The Ladykillers” or the wise and honorable Obi-Wan Kenobi in “Star Wars.”
| Career Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Career Start | 1934 |
| Best Known For | Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars Trilogy |
| Notable Works | The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, A Passage to India |
| Associations | Old Vic Theatre, Ealing Studios |
| Career End | 2000 |
| Awards Won | Academy Award for Best Actor (1957), BAFTA Award for Best Actor (1957), Tony Award (1964) |
| Number of Films | Over 60 |
Alec Guinness Net Worth Information
Even though no one knows the exact numbers, it’s safe to say that Guinness made a lot of money through his long and successful career in theater and movies. His pay for his roles in the Star Wars movies was a big part of how much money he had.
He was smart enough to make a deal that gave him a share of how much money the Star Wars movies made at the box office. This turned out to be a smart financial move, given how popular the franchise is worldwide. Even though he was rich, Guinness was known for living a simple, unassuming life.
10 Interesting Facts About Alec Guinness
- He was a part of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve during World War II and took part in the Allied invasion of Sicily.
- Guinness converted to Roman Catholicism in 1956 and was a devout follower for the rest of his life.
- His performance as eight characters in the 1949 film ‘Kind Hearts and Coronets’ is considered one of cinema’s incredible acting feats.
- Despite his fame from the Star Wars franchise, he initially hesitated to take the Obi-Wan Kenobi role, fearing the movie would be too commercial and lacking in artistic merit.
- Guinness is among the few actors to have won an Oscar, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and a Tony.
- He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1959 for his services to the theatre.
- He was close friends with British novelist Graham Greene, his son’s godfather.
- Guinness wrote three volumes of a bestselling autobiography: “Blessings in Disguise,” “My Name Escapes Me,” and “A Positively Final Appearance.”
- He was nominated for an Oscar for his role as Colonel Nicholson in “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” but modestly thought Spencer Tracy would win instead.
- Guinness was the original choice for the role of John Hammond in Steven Spielberg’s ‘Jurassic Park,’ but due to health issues, he turned it down.
Conclusion
Sir Alec Guinness was a promising star in both movies and plays. His unique style and range left an impression on people that will never be forgotten. Even though he was very successful, he was reticent and dedicated to his work and family.
His performances are still praised and studied, and his addition to the art of acting will not be forgotten. Whether playing a Jedi Knight on a planet far away or a hard-headed British colonel in a POW camp, Guinness gave his characters a unique humanity and depth that made them stand out.
