About
George Arliss, born George Augustus Andrews in London, was an English actor and playwright. After attending Harrow School, he began his stage career in 1887. He achieved success on stage, notably in plays such as The Devil (1908) and Disraeli (1911), which became his signature role. He was the first British actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Disraeli in the 1929 film. He continued a film career in the 1930s, portraying historical figures such as Voltaire and Richelieu. He also wrote two autobiographies and helped launch the career of Bette Davis.
* 1868-04-10 — † 1946-02-05
Major works
- Disraeli (1929)film
- The Man Who Played God (1932)film
- Voltaire (1933)film
- The House of Rothschild (1934)film
- Up the Years from Bloomsbury (1927)autobiography
Key milestones
- 1929Becomes the first British actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for Disraeli.
- 1911Creates the role of Benjamin Disraeli in the play Disraeli, written for him by Louis Napoleon Parker.
- 1932Gives Bette Davis her first leading role in The Man Who Played God.
Themes
Historical figuresTheatre and cinemaAdaptations of playsTransatlantic careerAutobiography
Sources: britannica.com · npg.org.uk · oxforddnb.com