Alec Guinness (April 2, 1914, in London, England - August 5, 2000, in Midhurst, West Sussex, United Kingdom)

Guinness studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). He had a deep interest in theater and acting from a young age, demonstrating exceptional talent for portraying a wide range of characters.

Early Career

 Alec Guinness's career began in the theater and later extended to film. He received acclaim for his stage performances but gained international fame through his iconic film roles. His versatile talent allowed him to excel in both comedic and dramatic roles.

Family

 Guinness was married to Merula Salaman for 62 years until his death. Their relationship was stable and enduring, and they had one son together.

Interests and Hobbies

 Besides acting, Alec Guinness had a profound interest in literature and painting. He wrote several autobiographies and created numerous paintings throughout his life.

Most Important Films

 Alec Guinness is known for a series of memorable roles, including Prince Faisal in "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962), the role of Lieutenant Colonel Nicholson in "The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957), which earned him an Academy Award, and the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original "Star Wars" trilogy. He received numerous awards and honors for his outstanding career.

Filmography

1946 - "Great Expectations" (David Lean)

1948 - "Oliver Twist" (David Lean)

1951 - "The Lavender Hill Mob" (Charles Crichton)

1951 - "The Man in the White Suit" (Alexander Mackendrick)

1954 - "Father Brown" (Robert Hamer)

1955 - "The Ladykillers" (Alexander Mackendrick)

1957 - "The Bridge on the River Kwai" (David Lean)

1958 - "The Horse's Mouth" (Ronald Neame)

1960 - "Tunes of Glory" (Ronald Neame)

1962 - "Lawrence of Arabia" (David Lean)

1970 - "Cromwell" (Ken Hughes)

1973 - "Hitler: The Last Ten Days" (Ennio De Concini)

1976 - "Murder by Death" (Robert Moore)

1977 - "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope" (George Lucas)

1980 - "The Empire Strikes Back" (Irvin Kershner)

1983 - "Return of the Jedi" (Richard Marquand)

1988 - "Little Dorrit" (Christine Edzard)

1991 - "Kafka" (Steven Soderbergh)

1994 - "A Foreign Field" (Charles Sturridge)

1996 - "The Scapegoat" (Sergei Bodrov, Roger Young)

Awards

Academy Awards:

• Best Actor for "The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957)

BAFTA Awards:

• Multiple awards and nominations, including wins for "The Bridge on the River Kwai" and "Tunes of Glory"

Other Honors:

• Guinness was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1959 for his services to the arts.
• He received an Honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement in 1980.