Rex Harrison

Rex Harrison was an English actor of stage and screen renowned for his sophisticated, urbane persona and distinctive vocal delivery. His career spanned six decades, achieving its zenith with his iconic performance as Professor Henry Higgins in both the stage and film versions of *My Fair Lady*. Harrison received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Actor, a Tony Award, and two Golden Globe Awards, cementing his status as a leading figure in 20th-century theatre and Hollywood cinema.

Early life and career

Reginald Carey Harrison was born in Huyton, then part of Lancashire, to Edith Mary and William Reginald Harrison. He was educated at Huyton College and later at Liverpool College, though he did not pursue university studies. Drawn to the theatre from a young age, he made his professional stage debut in 1924 with a Liverpool Repertory Company at the Liverpool Playhouse. His early career was built in provincial repertory theatre, including a stint at the Theatre Royal, Brighton, before he made his West End debut in 1930 in *Getting George Married*. His first significant film role came in 1934 with *Leave It to Blanche*, leading to a contract with Alexander Korda's London Films.

Stage career

Harrison established himself as a formidable stage actor in the 1930s, appearing in plays like *Sweet Aloes* and *French Without Tears* in the West End. After serving in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, he returned to triumph in Noël Coward's *Blithe Spirit* in 1945. His career-defining theatrical achievement was originating the role of Professor Henry Higgins in the Broadway production of *My Fair Lady* in 1956, a performance for which he won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Other notable stage successes included *The Love of Four Colonels*, *Bell, Book and Candle*, and later triumphs like *The Kingfisher* and a revival of *Heartbreak House* at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket.

Film career

Harrison's film career began in Britain in the 1930s with features like *Storm in a Teacup* and *The Citadel*. He gained international recognition in Hollywood for roles in films such as *Anna and the King of Siam* and the David O. Selznick production *The Ghost and Mrs. Muir*. He earned his first Academy Award nomination for *Cleopatra*, where he played Julius Caesar opposite Elizabeth Taylor. His most famous cinematic role was reprising Henry Higgins in the 1964 film adaptation of *My Fair Lady*, winning the Academy Award for Best Actor. Other notable films include *Doctor Dolittle*, *The Agony and the Ecstasy* with Charlton Heston, and *The Yellow Rolls-Royce*.

Personal life

Harrison's personal life was often as dramatic as his roles, marked by six marriages and considerable media attention. His first marriage was to Colette Thomas, followed by a notable union with German actress Lilli Palmer, with whom he appeared in several films. His marriage to Kay Kendall ended tragically with her death from leukemia in 1959. He subsequently married Welsh actress Rachel Roberts, then socialite Elizabeth Harris, and finally Mercia Tinker, who remained with him until his death. He was the father of three sons, including actor and singer Noel Harrison. Known for his wit and sometimes difficult temperament, he was a fixture in high society on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Death and legacy

Rex Harrison died of pancreatic cancer at his apartment in New York City in 1990. He was cremated and his ashes were interred at the Cimitero Acattolico in Rome. His legacy is that of one of the most distinctive and accomplished actors of his generation, a master of sophisticated comedy and the definitive interpreter of Henry Higgins. He is remembered with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and his performances continue to be celebrated in revivals of his work. The Rex Harrison Archive is held at the British Library, preserving his letters and papers for study.

Category:English male stage actors Category:Best Actor Academy Award winners Category:1908 births Category:1990 deaths