Sir Ralph David Richardson (19 December 1902 – 10 October 1983) was an English actor who, along with his contemporaries
John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier, dominated the
British stage of the mid-20th century. He worked in films throughout most of his career, and played more than sixty cinema roles. From an artistic but not theatrical background, Richardson had no thought of a stage career until a production of
Hamlet in
Brighton inspired him to become an actor. He learned his craft in the 1920s with a touring company and later the
Birmingham Repertory Theatre. In 1931 he joined the
Old Vic, playing mostly
Shakespearean roles. He led the company the following season, succeeding Gielgud, who had taught him much about stage technique. After he left the company, a series of leading roles took him to stardom in the
West End and on
Broadway.