Laughton, Charles, 1899-1962

Charles Laughton was born July 1, 1899 in Scarborough, England to hotel proprietors Robert and Eliza Laughton. He attended the public Jesuit school Stonyhurst College and enlisted into the army during WWI in 1917. In 1924, Laughton enrolled in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art to study acting and drama. Soon Laughton was starring in many professional theatrical and film productions in London. In 1927, Laughton met the actress Elsa Lanchester; they were married in 1929. Laughton and Lanchester first traveled to the United States in 1931, where Laughton was hired to perform the successful English play Payment deferred. For the next 19 years, the couple spent the majority of their time in the United States. Laughton became one of the most well-respected film actors of the era, capturing roles in the films Island of lost souls (1933) and The private life of Henry VIII (1933), for which he won the Academy Award for best actor. Other notable production include: Ruggles of Red Gap (1935), The hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), The man from Down Under (1943), and The Paradine case (1947). Laughton and Lanchester became American citizens in 1950 and settled in Southern California. During WWII, Laughton began reading selected passages to wounded soldiers at local hospitals. For the rest of his life, Laughton would devote much of his time to reading selected passages from his favorite authors. Recognized for his powerful voice and presence, Laughton's readings led to a number of reading tours, spoken-word albums, performances, and publications, including Tell me a story (1957) and The fabulous country (1962). Laughton made his directorial debut in 1955 with The night of the hunter, starring Robert Mitchum. Although the production was not a financial success, it was critically lauded as one of the better films of the decade, and is considered a masterpiece of American cinema. Laughton also performed on radio and, occasionally, on television. Laughton's health declined in the early 1960s. After a year of fighting cancer, Laughton died at his home on December 15, 1962. He was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood, Calif.

From the description of Papers, 1920-1964 1940-1962. (University of California, Los Angeles). WorldCat record id: 38000067

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