Alec Guinness

Description

Sir Alec Guinness CH, CBE (April 2, 1914 &ndash; August 5, 2000) was an Academy Award and Tony Award-winning English actor who became one of the most versatile and best-loved performers of his generation. <p>Guinness was born in Marylebone, London, England, possibly as Alec Guinness de Cuffe, although what is written on his birth certificate, reportedly lacking a father's name, is not known. His mother's maiden name was Agnes Cuff. She would later marry Alec's stepfather, a shell shocked veteran of the Anglo-Irish War. Guinness' biological father paid for his son's private school education, but the two never met.<p>Guinness first worked writing copy for advertising before making his debut at the Albery Theatre in 1936 at the age of 22, playing the role of Osric in John Gielgud's wildly successful production of Hamlet. During this time he worked with many actors and actresses who would become his friends and frequent co-stars in the future, including John Gielgud, Peggy Ashcroft, Anthony...