Rex Harrison

Academy awarded British actor, born 5 March 1908 in Huyton, Lancashire, UK and died 2 June 1990 in New York City, New York, USA. Father of Noel Harrison.

Harrison began his career on the stage in 1924. He made his West End debut in 1936 appearing in the Terence Rattigan play French Without Tears, in what was his breakthrough role. He won his first Tony Award for his performance as Henry VIII in the play Anne of the Thousand Days in 1949. He won his second Tony for the role of Professor Henry Higgins in the stage production of My Fair Lady in 1957.

In addition to his stage career, Harrison also appeared in numerous films. His first starring role was opposite Vivien Leigh in the romantic comedy Storm in a Teacup (1937). Receiving critical acclaim for his performance in Major Barbara (1941), which was shot in London during the Blitz, his roles since then include Blithe Spirit (1945), Anna and the King of Siam (1946), The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947), Cleopatra (1963), My Fair Lady (1964, reprising his role as Henry Higgins which earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor), and the title role of the English doctor who talks to animals, Doctor Dolittle (1967).

He was married to Lilli Palmer from 1943-1957.