Irish actor Richard Harris has had a storied career and life. Awards under his belt include a Golden Globe and a Grammy, as well as two Oscar nominations.
Born in Limerick, Ireland on October 1, 1930, Harris was a rugby fan, and competed in the sport in his teens until he contracted tuberculosis. Upon his recovery, he moved to London with hopes of becoming a director. Instead, he learned acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, staging his own play Winter Journey (The Country Girl), which failed financially despite being applauded by critics. After his studies, he joined Joan Littlewood’s Theater Workshop, and started acting in different West End plays.
In 1958, Richard Harris made his film debut, in the film Alive and Kicking. His big break, however, was in the 1963 film This Sporting Life, where he plays a coal miner-turned-rugby player. He won the Best Actor award from that year’s Cannes Film Festival for his performance, while also earning an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. He also appeared alongside Charlton Heston in the 1965 film Major Dundee.
Harris also sang in his films, providing songs for This Sporting Life, as well as the 1967 film Camelot, where he appeared as King Arthur. He also recorded several albums, one of which includes the song “MacArthur Park,” subsequently covered by artists such as Donna Summer.
Richard Harris’ film credits in the ‘70s include The Molly Maguires (Sean Connery) in 1970, Man in the Wilderness (John Huston) in 1971, and The Wild Geese (Richard Burton) in 1973, which earned him cult status. After a long lull in his career throughout the ‘80s, he starred in the 1990 film The Field, replacing Ray McAnally, who suddenly died before production began. His performance earned him a second Oscar nomination.
His last films include 1992’s Unforgiven, 1995’s Cry, My Beloved Country, and 2000’s Gladiator. He initially turned down the role of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films, fearing that the portrayal will outshine the rest of his career. Some convincing from her granddaughter led him to accept the role; he appeared in the first two Harry Potter films before dying on October 25, 2002, aged 72, of Hodgkin’s disease.
1964 Academy Award - Best Actor in a Leading Role - This Sporting Life
1973 Grammy - Best Spoken Word Recording for Jonathan Livingston Seagull
1991 Academy Award - Best Actor in a Leading Role - The Field
Grammy Nominations:
Album of the Year for A Tramp Shining-1968
Contemporary Pop Male Vocalist for MacArthur Park-1968
Best Spoken Word, Do!$#!#entary or Drama Recording for The Prophet-1975
-I formed a new group called Alcoholics-Unanimous. If you don't feel like a drink, you ring another member and he comes over to persuade you.
-I often sit back and think, I wish I'd done that, and find out later that I already have.
-I hate movies. They're a waste of time.