Alec Guinness

Born in London in 1914, Sir Alec Guinness was one of the outstanding actors of his generation. His first professional appearance was at the King's Theatre, Hammersmith, in 1933, and he went on to become a member of the Old Vic. During the war he served in the Royal Navy.

His film credits include Oliver Twist, Kind Hearts and Coronets, The Bridge on the River Kwai (for which he won an Oscar) and Star Wars. His theatre work includes The Cocktail Party, A Voyage Round My Father and Habeas Corpus. He famously played George Smiley in the TV adaptation of John le Carré's novels. He was knighted in 1959 and made a Companion of Honour in 1994. Alec Guinness sadly died early in 2000.