Gielgud, (Arthur) John (1904–2000)

English actor and director. One of the greatest Shakespearean actors of his time, he made his debut at the Old Vic in 1921 and played Hamlet in 1929. His stage appearances ranged from roles in works by Anton Chekhov and Richard Sheridan to those of Alan Bennett, Harold Pinter, and David Storey. He won an Academy Award for his role as a butler in the film Arthur (1981).

Gielgud's other films include Secret Agent (1936), Richard III (1955), Becket (1964), Oh! What a Lovely War (1969), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), Providence (1977), Chariots of Fire (1980), Prospero's Books (1991), Shining Through and The Power of One (both 1992), First Knight (1995), and Portrait of a Lady (1996).

Television appearances included The Best of Friends (1992) and Scarlett (1994).