Edward Albee called him 2one of the great actors". Scofield starred in the film version of Albee's play "A Delicate Balance".
As a schoolboy in Brighton he played Juliet in a school production of "Romeo and Juliet".
Father of two children.
Good friend of Judi Dench.
Has two children, Martin (born in 1944), a lecturer in 19th century English literature at the University of Kent, and Sarah (born in 1951).
He had been cast as O'Brien in 1984 (1984) but had to widthdraw from the film after breaking a leg. Richard Burton was re-cast in the role.
He had two grand-daughters, Robin and Rachel, and four great-grandchildren, Melissa, Oliver, Elliot, and Caitlin.
He happily accepted a CBE ("an honor with a hint of hard work about it"), but declined Knighthood on a couple of occasions.
He was awarded the 1996 London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actor for his performance in John Gabriel Borkman.
He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1956 for his services to drama.
He was awarded the Companion of Honour in the Queen's 2001 New Year's Honours List for his services to drama.
He was nominated for 1997 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actor in a Play of 1996 for his performance in John Gabriel Borkman.
In 1969, he became the sixth performer to win the Triple Crown of Acting. Oscar: Best Actor, A Man for All Seasons (1966), Tony: Best Actor-Play, 'A Man for All Seasons' (1962), and Emmy: Best Actor, Male of the Species (1969) (TV).
In a rare 2004 opinion poll of members of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Paul was acclaimed for giving the greatest performance in a Shakespearean play for his legendary portrayal of King Lear in a 1962 production at Stratford. Voting peers included such theatre luminaries as Ian McKellen , Donald Sinden , Janet Suzman , Ian Richardson , Corin Redgrave and Antony Sher . Judi Dench 's Lady Macbeth in Trevor Nunn 's 1976 production of "Macbeth" came in second.
Originated the role of Antonio Salieri in the play "Amadeus".
Playwright Arthur Miller considers him the finest English-speaking actor. Scofield appeared in the film version of Miller's "The Crucible".
Scofield was one of only eight actors who won both an Academy Award and a Tony Award for performing the same role on film and stage. The other seven were: Yul Brynner (The King and I (1956)), Joel Grey (Cabaret (1972)), Rex Harrison (My Fair Lady (1964)), Anne Bancroft (The Miracle Worker (1962)), Shirley Booth (Come Back, Little Sheba (1952)), José Ferrer (Cyrano de Bergerac (1950)), and Jack Albertson (The Subject Was Roses (1968)/(1965)).
Trained briefly at the Croydon Rep.
Was considered for the role of Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express (1974).
Was considered for the role of Marc Antony in Julius Caesar (1953). The part went to Marlon Brando.