Laurence Olivier – at the Royal Court Theatre and the National Theatre, where first nights were marred by firing ‘Ralph’s Rocket’, in memory of his love of his fireworks. (He once destroyed Olivier’s dressing room with a misdirected rocket.)

In private life Richardson was as eccentric as some of the characters he played: stopped by police late at night when walking very slowly along the gutter of an Oxford street, he explained that he was taking his pet mouse for a stroll. " /> Laurence Olivier – at the Royal Court Theatre and the National Theatre, where first nights were marred by firing ‘Ralph’s Rocket’, in memory of his love of his fireworks. (He once destroyed Olivier’s dressing room with a misdirected rocket.)

In private life Richardson was as eccentric as some of the characters he played: stopped by police late at night when walking very slowly along the gutter of an Oxford street, he explained that he was taking his pet mouse for a stroll. " /> Laurence Olivier – at the Royal Court Theatre and the National Theatre, where first nights were marred by firing ‘Ralph’s Rocket’, in memory of his love of his fireworks. (He once destroyed Olivier’s dressing room with a misdirected rocket.)

In private life Richardson was as eccentric as some of the characters he played: stopped by police late at night when walking very slowly along the gutter of an Oxford street, he explained that he was taking his pet mouse for a stroll. " />

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British stage and screen actor, Ralph Richardson

Ralph Richardson

1902–1983 | British actor

Distinguished British stage actor, in occasional films. Despite his splendid theatrical voice and thespian mannerisms he was at his best playing ordinary chaps, though his gallery included plenty of eccentrics

Mini Biography

Born in Cheltenham, Ralph Richardson was on stage from 1921, notably in productions at the Old Vic – in partnership with Laurence Olivier – at the Royal Court Theatre and the National Theatre, where first nights were marred by firing ‘Ralph’s Rocket’, in memory of his love of his fireworks. (He once destroyed Olivier’s dressing room with a misdirected rocket.)

In private life Richardson was as eccentric as some of the characters he played: stopped by police late at night when walking very slowly along the gutter of an Oxford street, he explained that he was taking his pet mouse for a stroll.

Latest Ralph Richardson Pictures

Main title from Jesus of Nazareth (1977) (21). Ralph Richardson as Simeon
  • 9th August, 2019
Ralph Richardson
Jesus of Nazareth (1977) opening credits (21)
Ralph Richardson (as Capt John Durrance) and June Duprez (as Ethne Burroughs) in a colour photograph from The Four Feathers (1939) (1)
  • 24th December, 2018
Ralph Richardson, June Duprez
The Four Feathers (1939) photograph (1) | Richardson, Duprez
British stage and screen actor, Ralph Richardson
  • 16th April, 2017
Ralph Richardson
Ralph Richardson, British actor of stage and screen

Select Ralph Richardson Filmography

Bulldog Jack (1935)
Morelle
The Boss
Colonel Winstanley
Manningdale
Lord Mere
Q Planes (1939)
Major Charles Hammond
Wing Commander Richardson
Capt John Durrance
Frank Lockwood
Jaap van Leyden
Baines
Karenin
Captain Tom Lingard
Rev Martin Gregory
John Ridgefield
Richard III (1955)
Duke of Buckingham
‘C’
Exodus (1960)
Gen Sutherland
Themistocles of Athens
Alexander
Khartoum (1966)
William Gladstone
Joseph Finsbury
Lord Fortnum
Sir David Kelly – British Minister to Switzerland
Mr Micawber
LeClerc
Colbert
Chief Rabbit
The Sixth Earl of Greystoke
+ Show all productions (19 more)

Personal Details

Born
Died
Autographed photo from 1943 featuring Meriel Forbes
Wife  m. 1944–1983 (his death)

Watch Ralph Richardson on British television