Born: September 7, 1913 – Died: October 20, 1989
Anthony Quayle, a distinguished actor with a commanding presence, was born in Ainsdale, Southport, Lancashire, England. His early life was shaped by his education at Rugby School and a brief stint at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), leading him to the stage for the first time in 1931. Quayle's parents played a significant role in his life, supporting his early interests in the arts.
Early Life and Career
Quayle's career in the arts began with a music hall comedy act, setting the stage for a remarkable journey in acting. He joined the Old Vic Company in 1932, honing his skills in classical roles. By 1936, his talent had landed him on Broadway, and he soon became a revered Shakespearean actor.
During World War II, Quayle served with the Royal Artillery, reaching the rank of major. His experiences during the war influenced his later works, including two novels he authored. Post-war, he made a significant impact as a theatrical director, notably at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he worked with some of the greatest stage actors.
Quayle's film career was marked by powerful performances in historical epics, including his role as Cardinal Wolsey in "Anne of the Thousand Days," which earned him an Academy Award nomination. He was also known for his narration in radio and his contributions to the Compass Theatre Company.
In his personal life, Quayle was married to Dorothy Hyson, with whom he had three children, including Jenny Quayle. His talent extended beyond acting, as he was also an accomplished writer and director.
Quayle's legacy in Hollywood and the entertainment industry is marked by his versatility and depth as an actor. He is remembered for his contributions to both stage and screen, his commanding voice, and his ability to bring intensity and professionalism to every role he played. His influence continues to be felt, and he remains an icon in the world of acting.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | The Thief and the Cobbler | King Nod (original version) (voice) |
| 1990 | King of the Wind | Lord Granville |
| 1989 | Confessional (TV Series) | The Pope |
| 1989 | The Endless Game (TV Mini Series) | Glanville |
| 1988 | Buster | Sir James McDowell |
| 1988 | The Legend of the Holy Drinker | Distinguished Gentleman |
| 1988 | Magdalene | Father Noessler |
| 1988 | The Bourne Identity (TV Mini Series) | Gen. François Villiers |
| 1987 | Reaching for the Skies (TV Series) | Narrator |
| 1986 | The Theban Plays by Sophocles (TV Series) | Oedipus |
| 1985 | The Miracle (TV Movie) | The Bishop |
| 1985 | The Key to Rebecca (TV Movie) | Abdullah |
| 1984 | The Last Days of Pompeii (TV Mini Series) | Quintus |
| 1984 | The Testament of John (TV Movie) | John Douglas |
| 1984 | Lace (TV Mini Series) | Dr. Geneste |
| 1981 | The Manions of America (TV Mini Series) | Lord Montgomery |
| 1981 | Tales of the Unexpected (TV Series) | Kyros Kassoulas |
| 1981 | Dial 'M' for Murder (TV Movie) | Insp. Hubbard |
| 1981 | Masada (TV Mini Series) | Rubrius Gallus |
| 1979 | The BBC Television Shakespeare (TV Series) | Sir John Falstaff |
| 1979 | Henry IV Part II (TV Movie) | Sir John Falstaff |
| 1979 | Henry IV Part I (TV Movie) | Sir John Falstaff |
| 1979 | Murder by Decree | Sir Charles Warren |
| 1978 | BBC2 Play of the Week (TV Series) | The Old Man |
| 1977 | The Chosen | Professor Griffith |
| 1976 | *The Eagle Has Landed* | Adm. Wilhelm Canaris |
| 1976 | 21 Hours at Munich (TV Movie) | General Zvi Zamir |
| 1976 | The Story of David (TV Movie) | King Saul |
| 1974–1975 | The Lives of Benjamin Franklin (TV Mini Series) | Dartmouth |
| 1974 | Moses the Lawgiver (TV Mini Series) | Aaron |
| 1974 | Great Expectations (TV Movie) | Jaggers |
| 1974 | The Tamarind Seed | Jack Loder |
| 1974 | QB VII (TV Mini Series) | Tom Banniester |
| 1973 | The Nelson Affair | Lord Minto |
| 1973 | Jarrett (TV Movie) | Cosmo Bastrop |
| 1972 | Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex But Were Afraid to Ask | The King |
| 1970 | The Six Wives of Henry VIII (TV Mini Series) | Narrator (voice) |
| 1969 | Island Unknown (Short) | Narrator |
| 1969 | Strange Report (TV Series) | Adam Strange |
| 1969 | Anne of the Thousand Days | Wolsey |
| 1969 | Red Peppers (TV Movie) | Mr. Edwards (the theatre manager) |
| 1969 | Destiny of a Spy (TV Movie) | Col. Malendin |
| 1969 | Mackenna's Gold | Older Englishman |
| 1968 | The Judgment of Albion (Short) | (voice) |
| 1968 | Before Winter Comes | Brigadier Bewley |
| 1968 | A Case of Libel (TV Movie) | Colonel Douglas |
| 1967 | ITV Playhouse (TV Series) | Daniel Bloch |
| 1966 | Misunderstood | Sir John Edward Duncombe |
| 1966 | Barefoot in Athens (TV Movie) | King Pausanias of Sparta |
| 1966 | Court Martial (TV Series) | Col. Julian Rodney |
| 1966 | The Poppy Is Also a Flower (TV Movie) | Capt. Vanderbilt |
| 1965 | A Study in Terror | Doctor Murray |
| 1965 | Operation Crossbow | Bamford |
| 1961–1965 | ITV Play of the Week (TV Series) | Gooch | Leone | Julian Armstrong |
| 1964 | Drama 61-67 (TV Series) | Samurai |
| 1964 | East of Sudan | Pvt. Baker |
| 1964 | The Fall of the Roman Empire | Verulus |
| 1964 | Espionage (TV Series) | Philip |
| 1964 | The Saint (TV Series) | Lord Thornton Yearley |
| 1963 | Man of the World (TV Series) | Dr. Moretti |
| 1962 | *Lawrence of Arabia* | Colonel Brighton |
| 1962 | Damn the Defiant! | Vizard |
| 1959–1961 | Armchair Theatre (TV Series) | Betumain | Colonel Kralik | Harry Albert |
| 1961 | The Guns of Navarone | Maj. Roy Franklin |
| 1961 | BBC Sunday-Night Play (TV Series) | The General |
| 1960 | It Takes a Thief | Jim |
| 1960 | Startime (TV Series) | Hector |
| 1959 | Tarzan's Greatest Adventure | Slade |
| 1959 | Serious Charge | Rev. Howard Phillips |
| 1958 | Ice Cold in Alex | Captain van der Poel |
| 1958 | Suspicion (TV Series) | Graham |
| 1958 | The Man Who Wouldn't Talk | Dr. Frank Smith |
| 1957 | No Time for Tears | Dr. Graham Seagrave |
| 1957 | Woman in a Dressing Gown | Jim |
| 1956 | The Wrong Man | Frank D. O'Connor |
| 1956 | Pursuit of the Graf Spee | Commodore Harwood-H.M.S. Ajax |
| 1956 | Producers' Showcase (TV Series) | Robert Browning | God Ra |
| 1955 | Oh... Rosalinda!! | Gen. Orlovsky |
| 1955 | The Merry Wives of Windsor (TV Movie) | Sir John Falstaff |
| 1954 | BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV Series) | Othello |
| 1951 | Michèle and René (TV Series) | Sir John Falstaff |
| 1949 | Train of Events | Violinist (uncredited) |
| 1948 | Saraband | Durer |
| 1948 | Hamlet | Marcellus |
| 1939 | X = o (TV Short) | Capys |
| 1939 | Sun Up (TV Movie) | The Stranger |
| 1938 | A Farewell Supper (TV Short) | Unknown |
| 1938 | Trelawny of the Wells (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1938 | Pygmalion | Eliza's Hairdresser (uncredited) |
| 1935 | I Stand Condemned | Vanya - Soldier dictating Letter (uncredited) |