Anthony Quayle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anthony Quayle
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Quayle in The Story of David (1976)
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John Anthony Quayle
7 September 1913 Ainsdale, Southport, Lancashire, England
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| Died | 20 October 1989 (aged 76) |
| Occupation | Actor and theatre director |
| Years active | 1935–1989 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 3 |
Sir Anthony Quayle (born September 7, 1913 – died October 20, 1989) was a famous British actor and theatre director. He was known for his strong performances in many movies and plays. He even received nominations for important awards like an Oscar and a Golden Globe. This was for his role as Thomas Wolsey in the film Anne of the Thousand Days (1969).
Anthony Quayle also appeared in many other big movies. These included The Guns of Navarone (1961), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), and The Eagle Has Landed (1976). He was given the title of Sir in 1985 for his great work in theatre.
Contents
Early Life and War Service
Anthony Quayle was born in Ainsdale, Lancashire, England. His father, Arthur Quayle, was a lawyer from a family with roots in the Isle of Man.
He went to Abberley Hall School and Rugby School. Later, he trained to be an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. He started acting in the Old Vic theatre company in 1932.
During World War II, Quayle served as an officer in the British Army. He was part of the Auxiliary Units in Northumberland. He also joined the Special Operations Executive (SOE), working with local fighters in Albania. He later wrote about his experiences during the war in two novels, Eight Hours from England and On Such a Night.
A Career on Stage and Screen
Anthony Quayle was a very important figure in British theatre. From 1948 to 1956, he was a director at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre. He helped set up what is now known as the Royal Shakespeare Company.
He played many famous characters in Shakespeare's plays, such as Falstaff, Othello, and Henry VIII. He also acted in plays by other famous writers like Ben Jonson.
Quayle's first movie role was a small, uncredited part in Pygmalion (1938). He went on to star in many well-known films. These included Alfred Hitchcock's The Wrong Man (1956), Ice Cold in Alex (1958), and Tarzan's Greatest Adventure (1959). He was often chosen to play brave British officers, bringing a real feel to these roles because of his own war experiences.
He was nominated for an Oscar for his role as Cardinal Wolsey in Anne of the Thousand Days (1969). Other notable films include The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) and Operation Crossbow (1965).
Quayle also had a successful career on Broadway in New York. He won an award for his starring role in the play Sleuth.
On television, he appeared in many shows. He played the main character in the series Strange Report (1969). He also narrated the BBC drama The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1970) and the aviation documentary series Reaching for the Skies (1988). He was in the miniseries Masada (1981) and the TV movie The Bourne Identity (1988).
In 1984, he started his own theatre group called the Compass Theatre Company. With this company, he toured with several plays, including King Lear, where he played the main role.
Personal Life
Anthony Quayle was married twice. His first wife was actress Hermione Hannen, from 1935 to 1941. In 1947, he married Dorothy Hyson. They had two daughters, Jenny and Rosanna, and a son named Christopher.
Anthony Quayle passed away at his home in Chelsea, London, on October 20, 1989.
Awards and Honours
Anthony Quayle was recognized for his acting and contributions to theatre.
- Awards (nominations)
- 1959 – BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, for: Ice Cold in Alex
- 1970 – Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture, for: Anne of the Thousand Days
- 1970 – Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for: Anne of the Thousand Days
- 1981 – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Special, for: Masada
- Awards (won)
- 1975 – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Special, for: QB VII
- Honours
- He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1952.
- He was knighted in 1985 for his important work in the theatre.
Books
Quayle wrote two novels and his own life story.
- Eight Hours from England (novel) (1945)
- On Such a Night (novel) (1947)
- A Time to Speak (autobiography) (1990)
The first novel is a story based on his experiences during the war in Albania.
See also
In Spanish: Anthony Quayle para niños
