John Gielgud
(1904–2000)
British actor (died aged 96) | Julius Caesar (1953), Richard III (1955), Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
On stage from the early 1920s, John Gielgud made his reputation playing Shakespeare at the Old Vic in the 30s, establishing himself as a pre-eminent speaker of verse, particularly in the roles of Romeo and Hamlet and, later, Prospero.
In the 1970s he formed a notable partnership with Ralph Richardson in modern plays by Pinter and David Storey, but his greatness has been captured rarely on film.