Laurence Olivier

Sir Laurence Olivier OM
Photograph by Carl Van Vechten, 1939
Born	22 May 1907(1907-05-22) Dorking, Surrey, United Kingdom
Died	11 July 1989(1989-07-11) (aged 82) Steyning, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Cause of death	Renal failure
Occupation	Actor, director, producer, screenwriter
Years active	1926–1988
Spouse(s)	Jill Esmond (m. 1930–1940; divorced) Vivien Leigh (m. 1940–1960; divorced) Joan Plowright (m. 1961–1989; his death)
Children	2 sons, 2 daughters
Relatives	Sydney Olivier (uncle, dead) Noel Olivier (cousin, dead)
Website	http://www.laurenceolivier.com/

Sir Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OM (22 May 1907 – 11 July 1989) was an English actor. He was one of the most famous and revered actors of the 20th century. He was the youngest actor to be knighted and the first to be raised to the peerage. Olivier married English actresses Jill Esmond, Vivien Leigh and Joan Plowright.

Actor Spencer Tracy said that Olivier was 'the greatest actor in the English-speaking world'. In 1999, the American Film Institute named Olivier among the Greatest Male Stars of All Time, at number 14 on the list.

Olivier had many awards: twelve Oscar nominations, with two wins (for Best Actor and Best Picture for the 1948 film Hamlet), plus two honorary awards including a statuette and certificate. He was awarded five Emmy Awards. He was a three-time Golden Globe and BAFTA winner. In 1976 he received the BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award, a lifetime achievement award.

Olivier's ashes are buried in Westminster Abbey.