Portly, versatile English stage and screen actor who made his New York theater debut in 1931's "Payment Deferred" and began a successful Hollywood career the following year. The gifted Laughton became one of the most popular actors of the 1930s and 40s, giving some of his greatest performances playing everything from self-indulgent monarchs ("The Private Life of Henry VIII" 1933) to selfless butlers ("Ruggles of Red Gap" 1935) to modest murderers ("The Suspect" 1945) to "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1939). He sometimes displayed a propensity for eye-rolling ham in the later stages of his career, but it was frequently of a delicious variety, and he was always a compelling performer. Late in life he gave two superb performances in "Witness for the Prosecution" (1957) and "Advise and Consent" (1962). His single directorial effort was 1955's "Night of the Hunter"; it has become a critical and cult favorite thanks to Laughton's intriguing combination of expressionism and realism, a fine script co-written by James Agee and compelling performances by an excellent cast headed by Robert Mitchum as a psychotic preacher and Lillian Gish as a resolute farm woman.
Companion
WIFE: Elsa Lanchester. Actor. Co-starred together, married in 1929.
COMPANION: Christopher Isherwood. Author. Had relationship in the 1940s.
Milestone
1931: Made New York stage debut in "Payment Deferred"
1932: Became established as a Hollywood star with roles in the films "Payment Deferred", "The Old Dark House", "The Devil and the Deep" and "The Sign of the Cross"
1955: Directed one film, "The Night of the Hunter"
1962: Last film, "Advise and Consent", directed by Otto Preminger
Education
Stonyhurst College - Clitheroe , Lancashire - Catholic seminary
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Bibliography
"Charles Laughton : An Intimate Biography" Charles Higham
"First Day in an Actor's Life : A Comedy Based on the Life of Charles Laughton" Bruce Zortman
"Elsa Lanchester, Herself" Elsa Lanchester
"Charles Laughton : A Difficult Actor" Simon Callow 1988
Franve
He made no movies after he died in 1962
He made no movies after he died in 1962
Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)
Los Angeles
Los Angeles County
California, USA
Plot: Court of ...
More>>
Tcm.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network.