Gielgud, << GEEL gud, >> John (1904-2000), was a leading English actor and director. He became famous for his performances in the plays of William Shakespeare, particularly the title role in Hamlet. Gielgud played Hamlet more than 500 times. He directed many of the plays in which he performed. In the late 1950’s, Gielgud achieved worldwide recognition when he toured with his one-man show of Shakespearean readings, Ages of Man. He won the 1981 Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role in the motion picture Arthur.
Gielgud made his stage debut in 1921 in Shakespeare’s Henry V. He made his screen debut in 1924 in the film Who Is the Man? Gielgud also appeared in the films The Secret Agent (1936), Julius Caesar (1953), Becket (1964), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), and Plenty (1985).
Arthur John Gielgud was born in London on April 14, 1904. He was knighted in 1953. He wrote two autobiographical works, Early Stages (1939) and An Actor and His Time (1979). His essays and speeches on acting and directing were published as Stage Directions (1963). Gielgud died on May 22, 2000.
