Tony Richardson facts for kids

Cecil Antonio "Tony" Richardson (born June 5, 1928 – died November 14, 1991) was a famous English director and producer. He worked in theatre and film for nearly 40 years. In 1964, he won an Academy Award for Best Director for his movie Tom Jones.

Tony Richardson's Early Life

Tony Richardson was born in Shipley, England, in 1928. His father, Clarence Albert Richardson, was a chemist. Tony went to Ashville College and then to Wadham College at the University of Oxford.

At Oxford, he was very active in theatre. He was the president of two different drama clubs. He also wrote theatre reviews for the university magazine Isis. Many of his friends at Oxford later became famous, like Rupert Murdoch and Margaret Thatcher.

Tony Richardson's Career in Film and Theatre

In 1955, Tony Richardson started his directing career. He directed a play called The Apollo of Bellac for television. Around this time, he also became involved in a film movement called Free Cinema. He co-directed a short film called Momma Don't Allow.

Starting the British New Wave

Tony Richardson's house from 1928 to 1948, 28 Bingley Road, Saltaire, Shipley

Tony Richardson was a key part of the British New Wave of directors. This was a time when British films started to show more realistic stories. He helped create the English Stage Company.

He directed the play Look Back in Anger by John Osborne at the Royal Court Theatre. He also directed Shakespeare plays in Stratford-upon-Avon. In 1957, he directed Laurence Olivier in Osborne's play The Entertainer.

Founding Woodfall Film Productions

In 1959, Richardson co-founded Woodfall Film Productions with John Osborne. Their first film was Look Back in Anger (1959). They also made other important films like The Entertainer (1960), A Taste of Honey (1961), and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962).

Many of Richardson's films, like A Taste of Honey, were part of the "kitchen sink realism" style. This style showed the everyday lives of working-class people in Britain. These films are still seen as very important examples of this movement.

Winning Academy Awards

A plaque from the BFI honoring Tony Richardson's work in cinema

In 1964, Tony Richardson won two Academy Awards for his film Tom Jones (1963). He won for Best Director and the film won for Best Picture. This movie was based on a book by Henry Fielding.

His next film was The Loved One (1965). He worked with famous actors like John Gielgud and Rod Steiger. He started working in Hollywood for this film.

Working with Famous Actors

Tony Richardson directed many well-known actors throughout his career. Some of them include Jeanne Moreau, Orson Welles, Rob Lowe, Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Mick Jagger, and Judi Dench. He also worked with talented screenwriters and music composers.

Richardson's films had many different styles. Mademoiselle (1966) was a black-and-white film shot in France. The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968) was a big historical movie with animated parts. Ned Kelly (1970) was an Australian Western.

In 1974, he moved to Los Angeles. He continued to work on films there. He wrote and directed the comedy-drama The Hotel New Hampshire (1984). This film starred Jodie Foster and Rob Lowe. Even though it didn't make a lot of money, critics liked it.

Tony Richardson made four more major films before he passed away. His last film, Blue Sky (1994), was released almost three years after his death. Jessica Lange won an Oscar for Best Actress for her role in that film.

Tony Richardson's Personal Life

Tony Richardson was married to the English actress Vanessa Redgrave from 1962 to 1967. They had two daughters together: Natasha (1963–2009) and Joely Richardson (born 1965). After their divorce, he had a relationship with French actress and singer Jeanne Moreau. In 1972, he had another daughter, Katharine Grimond, with Grizelda Grimond.

Death

Tony Richardson passed away on November 14, 1991, at the age of 63.

Filmography (as director)

Theatre

See also

In Spanish: Tony Richardson para niños