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Ralph Richardson

Ralph Richardson

38 movies on Netflix

Biography

Ralph Richardson was an English actor, one of the leading figures of the mid-20th-century British stage. Born in Cheltenham, he discovered acting after seeing Hamlet in Brighton and learned his craft during the 1920s with touring and repertory companies, including Birmingham Repertory Theatre. He joined the Old Vic in 1931 and later succeeded John Gielgud as its leading man; in the 1940s he co-directed the company with Laurence Olivier and John Burrell, earning particular praise for Peer Gynt and Falstaff. Richardson entered films as an extra in 1931 and went on to appear in more than sixty film roles. An early lead came in Things to Come (1936). He received an Academy Award nomination for The Heiress (1949), and his performances in The Fallen Idol (1948) and Doctor Zhivago (1965) were among his notable screen work. His final film, Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984), brought a posthumous second Oscar nomination. He died in 1983.

80years old at death

  • Born Cheltenham
  • Died London
  • Star sign: SagittariusThe sign runs November 22 to December 21
  • Ralph David Richardson (birth name)Also credited as Sir Ralph David Richardson, Kt

Movie Career

Films
38
Career span
51 years1933 to 1984

Genres

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  1. A role that slipped away

    Richardson declined the part of Estragon in Peter Hall's 1955 premiere of the English language Waiting for Godot. He afterward blamed himself for passing up a role in what he termed the greatest play of his generation.

  2. First role

    Richardson gave a local theatrical manager ten shillings weekly to join his company and learn acting. In December 1920 he made his stage debut as a gendarme in a Les Misérables adaptation.

  3. Behind the award

    While he was appearing in Cyrano, Richardson was knighted in the 1947 New Year Honours, which caused Olivier undisguised envy. Olivier was given the same accolade six months afterward.

  4. A change of course

    When war broke out, Richardson became a sub-lieutenant pilot in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, later rising to lieutenant-commander. His duties were mostly routine administration, and he was nicknamed "Pranger" Richardson.

  5. A first

    Richardson was the first president of The Youth Theatre, later the National Youth Theatre, taking the post in August 1956.

  6. Behind the award

    At the Cannes Film Festival, Richardson won the Best Actor prize, which he shared with his co-stars Jason Robards Jr and Dean Stockwell.

Ralph Richardson movies on Netflix

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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  1. Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes1984 Adventure, Dramaas The Sixth Earl of Greystoke

    IMDb rating 6.421K votes

  2. Watership Down1978 Adventure, Animation, Dramaas Chief Rabbitvoice

    IMDb rating 7.544K votes

  3. The Heiress1949as Dr. Austin Sloper

    IMDb rating 8.119K votes

  4. Dragonslayer1981as Ulrich

    IMDb rating 6.621K votes

  5. Doctor Zhivago1965as Alexander Gromeko

    IMDb rating 7.988K votes

  6. The Fallen Idol1948as Baines

    IMDb rating 7.611K votes

  7. Exodus1960as Gen. Sutherland

    IMDb rating 6.713K votes

  8. O Lucky Man!1973as Sir James Burgess / Monty

    IMDb rating 7.69.4K votes

Most often with

Carol Reed directed three of these films, David Lean two and Basil Dearden two. Laurence Olivier appears in six of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Films together

Box office

What Ralph Richardson's films earned in cinemas worldwide.

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Combined worldwide box office

$363 million

12 of the 38 films have a worldwide figure.

Of the 38 films: 12 worldwide figure; 5 us gross only; 3 never in cinemas; 18 figure not found.

  • 12Worldwide figure
  • 5US gross only
  • 3Never in cinemas
  • 18Figure not found

Highest grossing

The eight biggest films earned 98% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.

  1. 1
    Doctor Zhivago1965as Alexander Gromeko
    $112M30.9% of the total
  2. 2
    The 300 Spartans1962as Themistocles of Athens
    $77M21.1% of the total
  3. 3
    Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes1984as The Sixth Earl of Greystoke
    $46M12.6% of the total
  4. 4
    Time Bandits1981as Supreme Being
    $42M11.7% of the total
  5. 5
    Rollerball1975as Librarian
    $30M8.3% of the total
  6. 6
    Exodus1960as Gen. Sutherland
    $20M5.5% of the total
  7. 7
    Dragonslayer1981as Ulrich
    $14M3.9% of the total
  8. 8
    Battle of Britain1969as Sir David Kelly - British Minister to Switzerland
    $13M3.6% of the total
Watership Down (1978), $3.7 millionThe Citadel (1938), $2.6 millionThe Heiress (1949), $2.3 millionThe Sound Barrier (1952), $235,000

$8.8 millionfrom the other 4 films with a worldwide figure, 2% of the total

Awards

Three awards and honors.

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Ralph Richardson's awards and nominations, grouped by award
YearAwardFilmResult
Other honors
1947St. Olav's MedalWon
Knight BachelorWon
Society of London Theatre Special AwardWon

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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