Laurence Olivier

Kathy Montilla Olivier, 17 years old, attended the Central School of Speech and Drama, tutored by Elsie Fogerty

Kathy Montilla He was educated at the choir school of All Saints', Margaret Street, London

Kathy Montilla Born 1907 in Dorking, Surrey, England

Kathy Montilla In 1926, he joined the Birmingham Repertory Company

Kathy Montilla At 13, he went to St. Edward's School, Oxford

Kathy Montilla He was admitted to the "Order of Merit" in 1981, the first actor to be so honoured

Kathy Montilla He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Olivier RNVR, as pilot in the Fleet Air Arm after two years of service during the World War II

Kathy Montilla Olivier was created a "Knight Bachelor" on 12 June 1947 in the King's Birthday Honours, becoming the youngest actor so honoured

Kathy Montilla He married Joan Plowright on 17 March 1961

Kathy Montilla The "Laurence Olivier Awards," organised by The Society of London Theatre, were renamed in his honour in 1984

Kathy Montilla Olivier followed-up on his success with a film adaptation of "Hamlet," the film became a hit in Britain and abroad

Kathy Montilla In 1928, he was cast to play Captain Stanhope in the Apollo theater's first production of "Journey's End"

Kathy Montilla Olivier married Jill Esmond, a rising young actress, on 25 July 1930

Kathy Montilla He married Vivien Leigh on 31 August 1940, at the San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, the marriage last until 1960

Kathy Montilla Olivier was inducted into the "American Theater Hall of Fame" in 1979

Kathy Montilla Olivier's personal quote, "Without acting I cannot breathe"

Kathy Montilla Laurence Olivier published his autobiography, "Confessions of an Actor," in 1984

Kathy Montilla At 79, Olivier published his "On Acting" book consists partly of autobiographical reminiscences and reflections on his vocation

Kathy Montilla In 1951, Leigh and Olivier performed two plays as their contribution to the Festival of Britain celebrations

Kathy Montilla In 1927, his roles eventually became more significant in the theatre, he was playing "Hamlet" and "Macbeth"

Kathy Montilla Olivier was one of the founders, and the inaugural director, of the National Theatre Company