Alec Guinness

Alec Guinness de Cuffe was born in London England on Aril 2, 1914. He began his acting career by studying acting at the Fay Compton Studio of Dramatic Arts and debuted in stage productions in 1934. He acted in classic theater productions until his induction into the British Navy in 1941.

Alec's film career began after WWII with his portrayal as Herbert Pocket in Great Expectations 1946. Most of his next films were comedies. In one of his roles he played eight different parts, and one of them was as a woman. This movie Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) was one of his best known works. Recently Alec Guinness portrayed and made this role his own, Obi-wan Kenobi in the Star Wars series.

Guinness was awarded an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for best actor for his part: The Bridge on the River Kwai (1947. He also won an Honorary Academy Award for advancing the art of screen and his distinguished performances (1980). Academy nominations for Guinness include The Horse's Mouth, The Lavender Hill Mob, and Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope (1977).

In 1959 Alec Guinness was awarded Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire due to his contribution to the arts. Sir Alec Guinness was married to Merula Salaman from June 1938 until his death on August 5, 2000. He had one child.

Guinness is known for playing complex characters and revamping his personality to suit the role. He played proud leaders and authority figures. Guinness' deep and smooth voice was his trademark.