Sir Alan Arthur Bates was born on February 17, 1934 in Allestree, Derby, Derbyshire (UK). Alan is a British theater and television actor. He became famous for his films: Nijinsky, Rose, Unmarried Woman, etc. The main genres of the actor: drama, comedy, melodrama.
Biography. Becoming an actor
The actor's family has always been very fond of music, so the parents saw the future of their son as a musician. But Alan himself, unlike the other two children, at the age of 11 already firmly decided for himself to connect life with acting. Soon he begins attending courses on dramatic art. He was later awarded a fellowship from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. His classmates were Albert Finney and Peter O'Toole - a notorious British actor, but at the same time of Irish descent. Distinguished by the fact that he was the most nominated for an Oscar, but he never received a single award. The skill was rewarded: he was awarded the Golden Globe 4 times, as well as the Emmy Award.
In Great Britain, a troupe of the Royal Court Theater is re-established, headed by the English Stage Company. Alan decides to join her. In 1956, when Bates was 22, he made his West End debut. Cliff's role in Look Back in Anger made him famous. The actor did not pass by Broadway either.
Filmography. First nominations
The 50s became very fruitful for the actor. He has appeared in British television plays. 1960 - the release of his first film, which was called "The Comedian", where a colleague on the set was Laurence Olivier (named one of the greatest British actors of the twentieth century. His repertoire included ancient dramas and works of Shakespeare).
1960 - the film "Whistle in the Wind". 1962 - "Such is love." In 1966, two films were already released: "Georgie's Girl" and "King of Hearts". As you can see, almost all of his works were in the genre of melodrama and drama. Apparently due to his appearance, the actor looked most advantageous in such roles. In 1968, Alan took part in the film "The Broker", which was based on the novel by Bernard Malamud. As a result, Bates received his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor for him.
1969 - the film "Women in Love" about the story of the two sisters Gudrun and Ursula and their chosen ones Gerald and Rupert, who became disillusioned with life and love for women. The cinema search rating is 7.2. After the release of the film, Alan was invited already as the director of the film "Sunday Damned Sunday". In the same year, he becomes a father, so the roles fade into the background. Instead, he plays Oscar-winning Peter Finch in The Mediator. But Alan's reward, his child, was undoubtedly more expensive.
He later appears in the movie Three Sisters. Russian viewers and book lovers are undoubtedly familiar with this well-known play by A. P. Chekhov.
In the 1970-1980s, Alan Bates continues to work actively in the cinema, and does not forget about television. In 1978 the film "Unmarried Woman" was released, 1979 - the film "Rose". Again, the actor chooses the romantic genre.
"The Mayor of Casterbridge" is a film and its main role in life, according to the actor himself (1978). Further - the role of Claudius in "Hamlet" 1990.
In 2003, Alan plays Anthony Agrippa in the movie "Spartacus", which comes out on television. But it so happened that the actor did not live to see the premiere.
Few people know, but Bates was even knighted. In 1996 he became Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and in 2003 he was officially awarded the title of Knight. Alan has been a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and a Patron of the Acting Arts Center at Covent Garden since 1994.
A family. Personal life of the actor
Victoria Vod was the actor's wife from 1970 to 1992. Unfortunately, she dies, but manages to give him two twin sons (Benedic Bates and Tristan Bates), who continued Alan's profession: they became actors. Tristan dies of asthma in 1990. Later, in his honor, the Bates family founds a theater. He was loved by women, but, as it turned out, he was of a non-traditional sexual orientation and did not hide it.
The last years, as it turned out later, the actor spends with his friend and fellow actress Joanna Pettet. The actress took part in scoring films: "Casino Royale", "Two-Minute Warning". She also starred in TV shows.
Bates died of pancreatic cancer in 2003. But despite the illness, the actor did not stop filming, worked with all the zeal, love and effort to his life's work.
In the house where the actor spent his childhood, there is a memorial plaque in his honor.
How to be an actor in a melodrama?
Of course, any role is difficult in its own way, but playing a dramatic role correctly, with all the emotions, pain, feelings, is difficult. Alan Bates did an excellent job of this kind of work. His films confirm this. At the heart of acting is the magic of transformation. Few people manage to win the audience with their talent from an early age. But the fact that Bates was already 22 years old was able to do it says a lot. And especially about efforts on oneself, since talent is 20%, the remaining 80% of success is work.
Also in 1964, Alan played the main role in the drama by Michalis Kakoyannis "The Greek Zobra". As a result, the film received seven nominations and three Academy Awards. Anthony Quinn - a colleague on the set, noted Beist's diligence and originality. The actor made a significant contribution.
Alan Bates wins Golden Globes for his roles in the musical Georgie's Girl, the dramas Away from the Madding Crowd and The Mediator.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Actor in 1973 Battle and 2002 Freeloader.
