Laurence Olivier: A Biography

by Donald Spoto

Widely regarded as the greatest actor of the twentieth century, Laurence Olivier (1907-1989) was as troubled as he was talented. A man desperate for affection and approval, plagued with self-doubt and self-loathing, Olivier escaped his personal conflicts on the stage, where he perfected his skills to a remarkable degree. His interpretations of Shakespeare, Chekhov, Coward and countless other playwrights on stage made theater history, and his performances in the films Wuthering Heights, Henry V, Richard III, and Spartacus are equally legendary.

Spoto's biography of the actor recalls his astounding dramatic achievements and the painful experiences that shaped his character even as his talents were developing. Spoto examines Olivier's three tumultuous marriages, his rivalries with fellow actors John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson, and his ten-year love affair with Danny Kaye.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Film, Audiobook, Theatre

528 pages, Paperback

First published October 3, 1991

About the author

A prolific and respected biographer and theologian, Donald Spoto is the author of twenty published books, among them bestselling biographies of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Alfred Hitchcock, Tennessee Williams, and Ingrid Bergman. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages. Donald Spoto earned his Ph.D. in theology at Fordham University. After years as a theology professor, he turned to fulltime writing. The Hidden Jesus: A New Life, published in 1999, was hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "offering a mature faith fit for the new millennium." His successful biography of Saint Francis was published in 2002.

Reviews

[India Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed all the information given about Sir Laurence Olivier's accomplishments and relations to those in his personal and professional life. I would have just preferred that Mr. Spoto was a lot less "colorful" in adding his own narrative to some of the events that took place. I ended up skipping certain sections until he got back to the stuff about L.O. directly. It was almost like watching a movie and wishing the voice-over narrative was taken out. I did like that he used pieces from articles, quotes, interviews, and Olivier's own autobiography. Although Spoto pointed out that L.O.'s own writing contained some falsehoods and discrepancies, I'd still probably enjoy that book more because it may be a better indicator of Olivier's own reflection of his life in general.

In this book, I enjoyed reading about the ways that L.O. always picked himself up after professional failures & his drive to be the absolute best at what he did (even if it isn't always what he ended up with). Mr. Olivier was the epitome of the concept "The Show Must Go On" and was inspirational in the sense of his sad beginnings & awkwardness. He proves that everyone can try to make something of nothing and possibly be successful given the right sacrifices... although sometimes the price is yourself.

[Julian Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this particular book, I learnt that the author, Donald Spoto, has written a number of these such biographies. And he did a really good job of this one. For me the book really was an intimate encounter with Laurence Olivier, written with sensitivity and authority. You become familiar with Laurence's strengths, successes as well as his insecurities and failings - a definite pathos throughout the book - and not only generated for Laurence but those involved in is life.

The book generously explores other interesting and key people in Laurence's life and consequently within the then Hollywood scene.

Overall, wonderful detail and account of a great man.

[Margo Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had this notion that Laurence Olivier must have possessed a noble and sophisticated character because he was probably the greatest actor of all time. This book portrayed an insecure, self-centered and at times mean-spirited human. He was certainly not a monster but he was probably like any any other actor then and now. I suppose my disappointment in his character comes from having had such an ideal expectation and then having it fall to earth.
The author did an adequate job of showing all sides to this man: his craft and his personal life. Spoto seems to have applied the same Freudian analyses to Olivier`s history that thespians of that time used to dissect characters of the plays they were performing. It is somewhat interesting but it depends on how much one agrees with Freud`s largely discredited theory of repressed sexuality having a negative effect on the psyche.
Spoto`s description of the Hollywood "star machine" was interesting. The studios created an image of their stars as being noble, sophisticated and morally upright; like the characters they presented on screen but were not in reality.
This book was an okay read but I was left with a feeling of disappointment.

[Di · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good. solid biography. I'm interested in film, theatre and acting and I wanted to find out more about the life of this famous English actor. The biography had plenty of interesting details about Olivier's career and about the man himself. He came across as very ambitious and hard-working but quite limited in his personal relationships with others.

[Kpowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite actors.

[Elvis Is King · Rating 1 out of 5]

Junk.

[Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

He was the "world's greatest actor" and, if it hadn't been for his naughty sex life and tragic marriage, his unalloyed string of success after success would have made pretty dull reading.

[Jason · Rating 1 out of 5]

Giving it a 1 star because some of the claims in this book have been found to be inaccurate with zero evidence to back up anything that he appears to have just made up!

[Ursula Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed and Comprehensive Bio

I decided to read this book after reading a few stories about Olivier in Kirk Douglas' book about the making of Spartacus. This detailed biography was an eye opener. Having heard of his thespian accomplishments, the real man was far more complicated. His brilliance, arrogance and sexual proclivities notwithstanding, he was a tragic figure. The early death of his beloved mother, indifference by his father, the stage and performing were his life. His three marriages all failed and while he was magnificent at adapting characters, and his many friendships were mostly surface relationships. This was a comprehensive biography packed with a great deal of information. I read this book using immersion reading while listening to the audiobook. Narration sounded a bit pompous and condescending, not very listener friendly. Quotes and lines from plays attempted in his voice just sounded awful.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donald Spoto is a respected biographer and this may be the definitive biography of one of the world's greatest actors. Laurence Kerr Olivier grew up as a cleryman's son and lost his mother at an early age. This early loss was a lifelong sadness for him, a hole that he could never fill. It is more than possible that Vivien Lee, his second wife, did help fulfill this gap. She absolutely adored him. He was a very insecure man and could be difficult but had many outstanding qualities.

Personally my favorite role of his was as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. I highly recommend any of Donald Spoto's books.

[Garrett Rowlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better biographies I've read--not necessarily for style or investigative ardor (though there is plenty of both) but because of Larry (as he preferred to be called, at least toward the end of his life) and the combination of ambition, insecurity, and talent that propelled him to the top of the acting totem. "Real people are artists," he quotes Olivier, "Ordinary people aren't." And surely there was no one less ordinary than Olivier, who often strikes one as little more than the characters he played. He might have been hollow at the core, but the visible edges of his personality were fascinating.

[Peter Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable study of his life,career,his acting and the roots of his genius.Surprisingly,to me who never saw any of his performances except a couple of his later cameos film roles,it was a thoroughly engrossing study of a life consumed by ambition and his art.It’s always so sad that so many performances of great actors are never captured on film but at least he had a few filmed.Now to find them and see his creations.

[Katherine Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always liked Laurence Olivier and only knew about his life around the time he was married to Vivien Leigh.