Biography
Richard Samuel Attenborough, Baron Attenborough, Kt, CBE (August 29, 1923 – August 24, 2014) was an English actor, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and politician. He was the President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Attenborough joined the Royal Air Force during World War II and served in the film unit. He went on several bombing raids over Europe and filmed action from the rear gunner's position. As a film director and producer, Attenborough won two Academy Awards for Gandhi in 1983. He also won four BAFTA Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. As an actor, he is perhaps best known for his roles in Brighton Rock, The Great Escape, 10 Rillington Place, Miracle on 34th Street (1994) and Jurassic Park. He was the older brother of David Attenborough, a naturalist and broadcaster, and John Attenborough, an executive at Alfa Romeo. He was married to actress Sheila Sim from 1945 until his death.
Awards & recognition
- Bodley Medal · 2004
- Praemium Imperiale · 1998
- Berlinale Camera · 1988
- European Film Academy Special Achievement Award · 1988
- Knight of the Legion of Honour · 1988
Show all 24 awards →
- Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres · 1985
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 1983
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1983
- BAFTA Award — Best Direction · 1983
- BAFTA Award — Best Film · 1983
- BAFTA Fellowship · 1983
- Directors Guild of America Award · 1983
- Golden Globe Award — Best Director · 1983
- Padma Bhushan · 1983
- Knight Bachelor · 1975
- Golden Globe Award — Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture · 1968
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire · 1967
- Golden Globe Award — Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture · 1967
- BAFTA Award — Best Actor in a Leading Role · 1965
- Silver Shell — Best Actor · 1964
- National Board of Review Award — Best Film
- Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1983 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Picture · nominated
Filmography50+ titles
Jurassic Park
Light Keeps Me Company
The Great Escape
Frank Sinatra: The Voice of the Century
Audrey Hepburn: Remembered
Gandhi
Chaplin
Diana: Queen of Hearts
Hamlet
10 Rillington Place
Elizabeth
A Bridge Too Far
The Sand Pebbles
The Flight of the Phoenix
Seance on a Wet Afternoon
Only When I Larf
Cry Freedom
The Chess Players
The League of Gentlemen
Jet Storm
Shadowlands
Dunkirk
Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story
The Railway Children
Miracle on 34th Street
Magic
The Dick Cavett Show
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom
The L-Shaped Room
All Night Long
Brighton Rock
In Which We Serve
Oh! What a Lovely War
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
I'm All Right Jack
Desert Patrol
Journey Together
The True Glory
Closing the Ring
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
A Chorus Line
Young Winston
Doctor Dolittle
Great Performances
Dancing with Crime
Brannigan
Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool
In Love and War
Conduct Unbecoming
The Magic Christian