Sir Alec Guinness De Cuffe

Alec Guinness Born April 2, 1914 in Marylebone, London, England, UK Died August 5, 2000 in Midhurst, Sussex, England, UK (liver cancer) Birth Name Alec Guinness de Cuffe Height 5' 10" (1.78 m) Mini Bio (1) Alec Guinness was an English actor. He is known for his six collaborations with David Lean: Herbert Pocket in Great Expectations (1946), Fagin in Oliver Twist (1948), Col. Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor), Prince Faisal in Lawrence of Arabia (1962), General Yevgraf Zhivago in Doctor Zhivago (1965), and Professor Godbole in A Passage to India (1984). Guinness is really most remembered for his portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi in George Lucas' original Star Wars trilogy for which he receive a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 1959, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to the arts. In the 1970s, Guinness made regular television appearances in Britain, including the role of George Smiley in the serialisations of two novels by John le Carré: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979) and Smiley's People (1982). In 1980 he received the Academy Honorary Award for lifetime achievement. Guinness was also one of three British actors, along with Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud, who made the transition from Shakespearean theatre in England to Hollywood blockbusters immediately after the Second World War. Guinness died on 5 August 2000, from liver cancer, at Midhurst in West Sussex. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Pedro Borges Spouse (1) Merula Salaman (20 June 1938 - 5 August 2000) ( his death) ( 1 child) Generally regarded Laurence Olivier with feelings of disdain and anger. Alec Guinness commented upon John Gielgud's rigid and harsh approach whilst teaching young Guinness and other drama students during the 1930s. He stated how Gielgud was quick to lose his temper for various reasons and would chastise those responsible in front of everyone present. Alec Guinness and fellow thespian Michael Redgrave, occasionally met up with each other and held secretive conversations. with each other. According to Corian Redgrave, these conversations might have resembled confessionals as both men led rather complex lives. Was reluctant to reprise his role of Obi Wan Kenobi for cameo appearances in Episodes 5 and 6 of "Star Wars." He claimed the only reason he agreed to appear, was as a favor to George Lucas. In his volume "Blessings in Disguise," the actor confessed to harboring feelings of loathing and hatred toward his violent-tempered stepfather. The two of them never get on and Guinness would flee in terror at the very sight of him.