John Gielgud

(1904–2000)

British actor (died aged 96) | Julius Caesar (1953), Richard III (1955), Around the World in 80 Days (1956)

Distinguished British stage actor and director, for whom cinema was a secondary matter

Mini Biography

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.

Latest John Gielgud Pictures

Poster from The Motive and The Cue play, featuring John Gielgud and Richard Burton (1). ‘A love letter to theatre’. Mark Gatiss is John Gielgud, Johnny Flynn is Richard Burton — The Motive and The Cue play | Richard Burton, John Gielgud, poster (1)

Screenshot from Appointment with Death (1988) (1) featuring John Gielgud — Appointment with Death (1988) screenshot (1) | John Gielgud

Select John Gielgud Filmography

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Personal Details

Born

Died

Born

John Gielgud was born in South Kensington, London on 14^th April, 1904.
Died

John Gielgud died in Aylesbury on 21^st May, 2000, aged 96.

Watch John Gielgud on British television

- Tales of the Unexpected (1979–88)
- Star-studded sinister and amusing stories, each with a twist in the tale, created by Roald Dahl.
- Parson’s Pleasure (1980, S3, E6)
- 25^th August at 6pm on Sky Arts HD
- 26^th August at 1pm on Sky Arts HD
- 27^th August at 9am on Sky Arts HD
- A crooked antiques dealer masquerading as a clergyman encounters a farmer, who gives him a piece of furniture worth a fortune.
- Murder by Decree (1979)
- Sherlock Holmes investigates the matter of Jack the Ripper and comes upon a Masonic conspiracy.
- Friday at 9.15am on Sky Cinema Greats HD
- Friday at 3.50pm on Sky Cinema Greats HD