Richard Attenborough
Santa Claus.
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Richard Attenborough 1923 - 2014
Richard Samuel Attenborough of London, Greater London County, England United Kingdom was born on August 29, 1923 in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire County to Frederick Attenborough and Mary (Clegg) Attenborough. He had siblings David Frederick Attenborough and John Attenborough. He married Sheila Sim on January 22, 1945, and they were married until Richard's death on August 24, 2014. He had children Michael John Attenborough, Jane Mary (Attenborough) Holland, and Charlotte Isabel (Attenborough) Sinclair. Richard Attenborough was buried Ashes spread at Richmond Cemetery Lower Grove Rd.
Richard Samuel Attenborough
Baron Richard Samuel Attenborough
London, Greater London County, England United Kingdom
August 29, 1923
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire County, England, United Kingdom
August 24, 2014
London, Greater London County, England, United Kingdom
Male
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Richard Samuel Attenborough's History: 1923 - 2014
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Richard Attenborough was born on August 29, 1923, in Cambridge, England to parents Frederick Levi Attenborough (1887-1973) and Mary Clegg (1896-1961). His family later moved to Leicester, where his father, Frederick, became the principal of the University College, Leicester. He attended Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester during his formative years and went on to pursue his passion for acting by enrolling at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. During World War II, Richard Attenborough served in the Royal Air Force as part of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, joining in 1941. Initially assigned to the RAF Film Unit, he worked on documentary films to boost morale and disseminate information. Richard Attenborough's acting career flourished as he gained acclaim for performances on both stage and screen, with notable roles in films such as "Brighton Rock" (1947), "The Great Escape" (1963), and the iconic role of Santa Claus in the 1994 film "Miracle on 34th Street," a remake of the 1947 classic.
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08/291923August 29, 1923BirthdateCambridge, Cambridgeshire County, England United KingdomBirthplaceADVERTISEMENT BY
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Richard Samuel Attenborough was born on August 29, 1923, in Cambridge, England. His parents were Frederick Levi Attenborough and Mary Clegg. Frederick was born on April 4, 1887 in Stapleford, Nottinghamshire County, England, United Kingdom and passed away on March 20, 1973 in Wandsworth in Greater London County, England, United Kingdom. He was a scholar and academic administrator, serving as the principal of the University College, Leicester. This has resulted in a long association with the university, with Lord Attenborough as a patron. A commemorative plaque was placed on the floor of Richmond Parish Church. The university's "Richard Attenborough Centre for Disability and the Arts", which opened in 1997, is named in his Honor. His mother Mary Winifred (Clegg) Attenborough was born in April of 1896 in Long Eaton, Derbyshire County, England, United Kingdom and passed away on August 1, 1961 in London, Greater London County, England, United Kingdom. Richard Attenborough had two younger brothers. David Attenborough, the well-known broadcaster and natural historian, is one of them. The other brother, John Attenborough, was an executive at Alfa Romeo.
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Richard Attenborough was born in Cambridge in 1923. It's the city where he spent his early years. His family later moved to Leicester, where his father, Frederick, became the principal of the University College, Leicester. Richard spent a significant part of his childhood in Leicester. As he pursued his acting career, Attenborough spent considerable time in London. He and his wife, Sheila Sim, lived in Hampstead, a district in London, for many years. Attenborough also spent time in Los Angeles, especially during his Hollywood career. He worked on various film projects in the American film industry. Later in his life, he lived in Richmond, a suburban town in southwest London. It was in this period that he focused more on his work as a film director and producer.
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Attenborough spent a significant part of his childhood in Leicester, where his family moved when his father took on the role at the university. Growing up, Richard showed a keen interest in performing arts, particularly acting. He attended Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester during his formative years. It was here that he likely developed his early interest in drama and acting. After completing his education at Wyggeston, Attenborough pursued his passion for acting by enrolling at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. RADA is a renowned drama school where many successful actors have trained. Attenborough's time at RADA laid the groundwork for his acting career. During his youth, World War II broke out, and served in the Royal Air Force. His military service interrupted his formal education but provided him with valuable life experiences. In recognition of his contributions to the arts and film industry, Attenborough received several honorary degrees from prestigious institutions. These honors acknowledged not only his talent as an actor but also his achievements as a director and producer.
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During World War II, Richard Attenborough served in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1941, during the early years of World War II. He was initially assigned to the RAF Film Unit, where he worked on documentary films that aimed to boost morale and provide information to the public. Attenborough also underwent flight training and eventually earned his wings as a qualified pilot. However, due to a medical condition, he was deemed unfit for active combat duty. Despite being unable to serve as a combat pilot, Attenborough continued to contribute to the war effort through his work in the RAF Film Unit. He gained experience in film production and storytelling during this time, which would later influence his career in the entertainment industry. He worked on producing and narrating documentary films for the RAF, contributing to the propaganda and informational efforts of the war. These films often focused on topics such as aircrew training and the activities of the RAF.
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Attenborough started his acting career on the stage, making his professional debut in 1941. He quickly gained acclaim for his theatrical performances, showcasing his talent and versatility as an actor. He then made his film debut in the early 1940s, appearing in minor roles. His breakthrough in the film industry came with his role in "In Which We Serve" (1942), a war film directed by Noël Coward and David Lean. In the post-war years, Attenborough continued to build his reputation in films such as "A Matter of Life and Death" (1946) and "Brighton Rock" (1947). His portrayal of Pinkie Brown in "Brighton Rock" was particularly praised and established him as a talented actor. In the 1950s, Attenborough began to explore directing alongside his acting career. He made his directorial debut with the film "Oh! What a Lovely War" in 1969, a satirical musical about World War I. Attenborough received critical acclaim for his performances, earning nominations and awards for his acting skills. Notably, he won the Best Actor BAFTA Award for his role in "The Angry Silence" (1960). Richard Attenborough played the iconic role of Santa Claus in the 1994 film "Miracle on 34th Street," a remake of the 1947 classic. In this updated version, Attenborough took on the role of Kris Kringle, a kind and jolly elderly man who claims to be the real Santa Claus. He brought warmth and charm to the character and his performance captured the essence of the beloved figure, and he added his own touch to the role.
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Richard Attenborough married actress Sheila Sim on January 22, 1945 and their marriage endured for over 69 years until Sheila's passing in 2016. The couple occasionally worked together on various acting projects, showcasing their shared passion for the performing arts. Together they had three children together—two daughters named Jane and Charlotte and a son named Michael. The family shared a close bond, and Attenborough often spoke fondly of his role as a father and husband. Attenborough, being a RADA alumnus, maintained a connection with the renowned drama school. He served as the President of RADA from 2003 until his death in 2014, contributing to the institution's development and supporting aspiring actors. He was also actively involved with the BFI, serving as a council member and later as Vice President. Richard Attenborough was deeply involved in promoting the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. He served as the President of the Gandhi Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing the principles of nonviolence and social justice associated with Gandhi. Attenborough was a dedicated supporter of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, an organization focused on research and support for individuals affected by muscular dystrophy. His involvement was motivated by personal experiences, as he had a granddaughter with the condition. He also supported the Multiple Sclerosis Society, a charitable organization dedicated to researching and providing assistance for those affected by multiple sclerosis. Richard was a lifelong fan of Chelsea Football Club and served as a director for the club in the 1960s.
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08/242014August 24, 2014Death dateLondon, Greater London County, England United KingdomThe cause of his death was reported as natural causes.Cause of deathDeath locationADVERTISEMENT BY
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mm/dd/yyyyFuneral dateAshes spread at Richmond Cemetery Lower Grove Rd, in Greater London County, England TW10 6HP, United KingdomBurial location
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7 Memories, Stories & Photos about Richard
Amanda S. Stevenson
16.8k+ favorites
08/29/2023
Richard Attenborough
A Montage by Robert Dockery.
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Amanda S. Stevenson
16.8k+ favorites
08/29/2023
Richard Attenborough
Actor and Director.
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Amanda S. Stevenson
16.8k+ favorites
08/29/2023
Richard Attenborough
Director.
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Amanda S. Stevenson
16.8k+ favorites
08/29/2023
Richard Attenborough
Two Oscars.
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Amanda S. Stevenson
16.8k+ favorites
08/29/2023
Richard Attenborough
Pose for an article.
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Richard Attenborough's Family Tree & Friends
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January 22, 1945
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Other Biographies
Other Richard Attenborough Biographies
Other Attenborough Family Biographies
Attenborough, Margaret (Jan 10, 1951 - Mar 1, 1990)
Attenborough, Alfred (Feb 8, 1902 - Jan 1987)
Attenborough, Jane (Apr 26, 1896 - Jul 1984)
Attenborough, Alfred (Apr 17, 1926 - Jul 1979)
Attenborough, Howard (Sep 1, 1934 - Mar 1986)
Attenborough, Charles (Jul 5, 1886 - Aug 1961)
Attenborough, Fred (Dec 28, 1879 - Oct 1965)
Attenborough, Frederick (Jul 5, 1909 - Sep 18, 1992)
Attenborough, James (Aug 14, 1881 - Dec 15, 1971)
Attenborough, Gladys (Nov 14, 1911 - Oct 24, 1996)
Attenborough, Jennie (Apr 11, 1912 - Feb 12, 2002)
Attenborough, Ann (Mar 17, 1905 - Jan 5, 1992)
Attenborough, Edward (May 8, 1908 - Aug 16, 1998)
Attenborough, Joseph (Apr 8, 1922 - Jun 3, 2001)
Attenborough, Katherine (May 26, 1890 - Aug 1985)
Attenborough, Eugene (Oct 23, 1946 - Sep 25, 2009)
Attenborough, Elizabeth (Jan 27, 1908 - Jan 1969)
Attenborough, Richard (Feb 22, 1906 - Mar 2, 1983)
Attenborough, Barbara (Jun 25, 1930 - Oct 26, 2003)
Attenborough, Rosa (Jun 6, 1898 - Oct 1984)
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