Richardson, Ralph David (Sir)

1902

1983

Ralph Richardson, who, with Gielgud, Guinness and Olivier, formed a quartet of some of the greatest actors of the twentieth century, was born on 19 December 1902 at Cheltenham, the son of Arthur Richardson and his wife Lydia (née Russell). He made his first stage appearance at Brighton in 1921 as Lorenzo in "The Merchant of Venice", toured the provinces, and joined the Birmingham Repertory Company in 1925. His debut in London came in 1926 at the Haymarket as Arthur Varwell in "Yellow Sands". From 1930 to 1932 he was at the Old Vic, where he played in "Oedipus at Colonus", and during the 1930s he gained prominence in West End productions of modern plays. After serving in the Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War, he returned to act at the Old Vic and co-direct with Olivier. He received acclaim in such roles as Falstaff (S0052), Uncle Vanya, Peer Gynt, Cyrano, the Inspector in "The Inspector Calls" and Bluntschli in "Arms and the Man". In 1956 he played Prospero and Volpone at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and during the 1970s he distinguished himself in a number of performances, many at the National Theatre, including in "No Man’s Land", "Home", "What the Butler Saw", "The Cherry Orchard", "The Double Dealer" and "The Wild Duck". Richardson brought to his roles a unique personality, ‘one that was charming and refined, but also mischievous and capable of hinting at sinister or tragic depths in the character he played’ (EB). Among his 75 films were remarkable portrayals in "The Fallen Idol", "Anna Karenina", "The Heiress", "Our Man in Havana", "Long Day’s Journey into Night" (Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Performance), "Breaking the Sound Barrier" (British Academy Award) and "Dr Zhivago". Richardson was knighted in 1947 and was given the Order of St Olaf (Norway) in 1950, an Hon DLitt from Oxford in 1969 and a Special SWET Award in 1981. He was a member of several London clubs, including the Athenaeum and the Savile. After suffering a severe stroke, Sir Ralph died in London on 10 October 1983, survived by Meriel Richardson (née Forbes Robertson), his wife of 39 years, and a son. The "Oxford Companion to the Theatre" describes him as ‘an unselfish and unspectacular actor’ who brought to all his parts the same ‘integrity of purpose.’ Though recognized as one of finest Shakespearean actors of his time, he was also ‘a subtle interpreter of modern parts.’ See John Miller, "Ralph Richardson; the authorized biography" (1995) and Garry O’Connor, "Ralph Richardson: an actor’s life" (1985).