Rex Harrison is a British and American film and theater actor who won the Gold Oscar for his leading role in the musical film "My Fair Lady". The actor was nicknamed "Sexy Rexy" by journalists for his love for women. Rex Harisson has been married 6 times.
Rex Harrison, full name Sir Reginald Carey Harrison, was born on March 5, 1908 in Hayton, Lancashire, England, the son of William Reginald Harrison, a cotton broker. His mother's name was Edith Mary. As a child, the boy had had measles and partially lost his vision in his left eye. Rex studied at Liverpool College.
He first debuted on stage in Liverpool in 1924. Fate was favorable to the young talent. Successfully played a role in Terence Rattigan's play "French Without Tears" became his breakthrough role on the stage. He captivated the audience with a magnificent comedy play and soon became known as "the greatest actor of light comedy in the world."
After the outbreak of World War II, the young actor interrupted his theatrical career and entered military service. By the end of the war, he was promoted to lieutenant in the RAF.
Rex Harrison's career
The first film role played was the role in the movie "The Big Game", released in 1930. This was followed by successful roles in the films "Citadel" (1938), "Night Train to Munich" (1940), "Major Barbara" (1941).
In 1945, the film "Spirit of Bliss" with the participation of the actor received high praise from critics. Rex Harrison played Sweet Aloes on Broadway in the 1940s, where his performances captivated American audiences.
The British popular actor was invited to participate in the film "Anna and the King of Siam" (1946) by Hollywood. This was his first American film.
Then, in 1947, followed the successful film works "The Phantom and Mrs. Muir" and "Foxes from Harrow" ", which consolidated the popularity of the actor.
Along with the films, Rex Harrison played in performances in London and New York. These are such pieces as "Bell, Book and Candle", "Party", "Venus under Observation" and others. In 1949, the actor won his first Tony Award for portraying King Henry VIII of England in A Thousand Days.
In 1963, the historical motion picture "Cleopatra" was released, where Hollywood stars Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Pamela Brown became his colleagues on the set.
The actor for his participation in "Cleopatra" was nominated for an Oscar, but the award bypassed him.
"My Fair Lady" with Rex Harrison
The following year, Rex Harrison was awarded an Oscar for the lead male role in the musical melodrama "My Fair Lady" (1964). In the film, he played a bachelor professor, Henry Higgins, who made a bet with a friend that he would be able to teach a simple girl from the street high secular manners in a short time and turn her into a beautiful lady. Unwittingly, the professor wins a bet and falls in love with a girl.
Despite its simple plot, the film has received many awards and admiration from audiences. The box office receipts in cinemas were breaking records. So, the fees in the USA alone exceeded the original budget of the film by 5 times. Reviews of the painting are only positive. The film "My Fair Lady" has become a classic and today finds its audience.
The actor began to wear the hat of his hero, Professor Henry Higgins, after the success of the film. This style of plaid wool headdress was very popular. The hat was named "Rex Harrison", in honor of the famous artist.
Top rated films featuring Rex Harrison:
- "Yellow Rolls-Royce", 1964
- "Torment and Joy", 1965, - "Pot of Honey", 1967
- "Ladder", 1969
- "The Prince and the Pauper", 1977
Rex Harrison has starred in over 50 feature films. The last film work was the film "Anastasia: Anna's Secret" in 1986.
The actor brilliantly coped with roles in the comedy genre, although he himself preferred dramatic roles.
Personal life and wife of Rex Harrison
Rex Harrison has superbly played cultural, elegant heroes throughout his acting life. But in life outside the stage and the cinema platform, he was completely different. Rex had a temperamental character, loved women, knew how to seduce them. For these qualities and his love affairs, the actor got the nickname "Sexy Rexy", which he hated. The actor has been married 6 times.
Colette Thomas was the first wife. They were married from 1933 to 1942. They had their first child, a son, Noel Harrison (1934-2013), who became a singer, actor and was an Olympic champion.
The second wife was Lilly Palmer, a German actress, writer, playwright. She has played with Rex in many plays and films. The couple also had a son, Carrie Harrison, who became a writer and led social activities.
Despite a happy marriage, Rex became involved with actress Carol Landis. She subsequently committed suicide after spending her final evening with the actor. There was a terrible scandal that affected Rex Harrison's career. His contract with Fox was terminated. As a result, the second marriage was dissolved in 1957.
In the same year, Rex was fascinated by the English actress Kay Kendall and married again. The marriage was short-lived. The actress was terminally ill and died in 1959, having lived with Rex for about two years. Until his death, Rex took care of his wife.
The fourth wife was Rachel Roberts (1962-1971), also an actress. The marriage broke up. For the next 10 years, Rachel tried to get Rex back, despite the actor's next two marriages. In 1980, she committed suicide.
The next, fifth wife of the actor in 1971 was the Welsh socialite Elizabeth Harris. They separated in 1975.
Rex was last married in 1978 to Mercia Tinker. The marriage became happy for the spouses and continued until the death of the actor.
Quotes from the actor:
- "Wives are like stocks of gilding. The more you have, the greater your dividends";
- "It's important to learn from experience. The more you do, the more you learn. I don't think anyone can teach acting from the podium."
Harrison owned properties in London, New York and Portofino, Italy.
Rex Harrison died on June 2, 1990 at the age of 82 in New York, USA from pancreatic cancer. The actor was cremated. Some of his ashes were scattered in Italy at Portofino and at the grave of his second wife, Lilly Palmer.
