Job Actor, screenwriter, producer, director
Years active 1926-1962
Top Roles Capt. William Kidd, Henry Horatio Hobson, A Nightclub Diner, Rembrandt van Rijn, Rear Admiral Stephen Thomas
Top GenresDrama, Comedy, Crime, Romance, Film Adaptation, Historical
Top TopicsBook-Based, World War II, Based on Play
Top Collaborators (Director), (Director), (Director), (Producer)
Shares birthday with Olivia de Havilland, William Wyler, Farley Granger  see more..

Charles Laughton Overview:

Legendary actor, Charles Laughton, was born on Jul 1, 1899 in Scarborough, Yorkshire. Laughton died at the age of 63 on Dec 15, 1962 in Hollywood, CA and was laid to rest in ashes interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) Cemetery in Los Angeles, CA.

MINI BIO:

This light-haired, rubber-faced, thick-lipped English actor ran up such a string of brilliant characterizations in Hollywood (after winning an Oscar for his British-made Henry VIII) that his precise and plummy tones became the most imitated of all. Captain Bligh, Mr. Barrett, Rembrandt, Ruggles of Red Gap, Javert in Les Miserables, Nero and, perhaps best of all, Quasimodo: they were all memorably Laughton. From 1945 till 1953 his overripe performances were the despair of his supporters. But he came good again in his last few films (adding an Oscar nomination for Witness for the Prosecution to the one he had received for Mutiny on the Bounty) before his death from spinal cancer. Married to Elsa Lanchester (1902-1986) from 1929.

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Film Stars).

HONORS and AWARDS:

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Charles Laughton was nominated for three Academy Awards, winning one for Best Actor for The Private Life of Henry VIII (as Henry VIII) in 1932/33.

Academy Awards

YearAwardFilm nameRoleResult
1932/33Best ActorThe Private Life of Henry VIII (1933)Henry VIIIWon
1935Best ActorMutiny on the Bounty (1935)Captain BlighNominated
1957Best ActorWitness for the Prosecution (1957)Sir Wilfrid RobartsNominated
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He was honored with one star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Motion Pictures. Charles Laughton's handprints and footprints were 'set in stone' at Grauman's Chinese Theater during imprint ceremony #66 on Jul 24, 1942.

BlogHub Articles:

Ray Milland and head the cast in “The Big Clock”

By Stephen Reginald on Jul 8, 2025 From Classic Movie Man

Ray Milland and head the cast in “The Big Clock” The Big Clock (1948) is an American film noir directed by John Farrow and starring Ray Milland and . The supporting cast included Maureen O’Sullivan (Mrs. John Farrow), George Macready, Rita John... Read full article


, John Mills, and Brenda de Banzie star in “Hobson’s Choice”

By Stephen Reginald on Jul 17, 2023 From Classic Movie Man

, John Mills, and Brenda de Banzie star in “Hobson’s Choice” Hobson’s Choice (1954) is a British romantic comedy film directed by David Lean and starring , John Mills, and Benda de Banzie. The film is based on the play of the same name wri... Read full article


The Night of the Hunter (1955), ’s horrifying masterpiece

By Carol Martinheira on Oct 8, 2021 From The Old Hollywood Garden

The Night of the Hunter (1955), ’s horrifying masterpiece On October 8, 2021October 8, 2021 By CarolIn Uncategorized Can you believe it?s October already? I certainly can?t. But you know what that means. Horror Month is here! And we kick off t... Read full article


and Maureen O’Hara check in at “Jamaica Inn”

By Stephen Reginald on Apr 23, 2021 From Classic Movie Man

and Maureen O’Hara check in at “Jamaica Inn” Jamaica Inn (1939) is a British period adventure movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring and Maureen O’Hara. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. The s... Read full article


Recites The Gettysburg Address

By Amanda Garrett on Nov 19, 2014 From Old Hollywood Films

On Nov. 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. There are many screen versions of that famous speech, but British actor 's rendition in Ruggles of Red Gap (1935) is my personal favorite. Laughton is playing an English valet who quiets a rowdy saloon in the wild We... Read full article


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Charles Laughton Quotes:

[Jonny is still chasing Anne around his living room]
Jonathan Reynolds Jr.: If you hear something snap, don't turn around - it'll be your neck.


[from the scaffold]
Capt. William Kidd: So here's me bequest to them what hunts what I have hid and to their sons sons down through the corridors of time: greed that spawns murder; hatred that corrodes the soul; ambition - the foulest strumpet of all.
Heckler at Kidd's hanging: [to hangman] Hey, Dick - Dick Kent. Sell me a bit of that rope for a sixpence will you?
Capt. William Kidd: Save your money, me lads. You can have it all for nothing if you'll only step here and wear it!
[to hangman]
Capt. William Kidd: Hurry up, Kent. Can't wait forever.


Capt. William Kidd: There's none would be so loyal, nor fight so desperate, as cutthroats under sentence of death... if they knew that at the end of the voyage a royal pardon would be in their pockets.
King William III: I shall hold you responsible for their good conduct.
Capt. William Kidd: Between their conduct and mine, your majesty, there will be little to choose.


read more quotes from Charles Laughton...



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Charles Laughton Facts
Twice was the Mystery Guest on the popular television quiz show "What's My Line" (1951).

He and his wife were both active in liberal politics.

He played a Navy Captain whose crew mutinies against him in Mutiny on the Bounty (1935). Appropriately, he went on to direct another story about a Captain with a mutinous crew, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial.

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