George Arliss (real name George August Andrews) is a British film and theater actor, director, screenwriter and playwright. In 1930 he became the first English actor to receive an Oscar for Best Actor in Disraeli, and a nomination for that award for his role in the film The Green Goddess.
The creative biography of the actor began in 1887 with performances on the theater stage. After 3 years, he already played in London's West End, and in 1901 he went on tour to the United States as part of a troupe led by the famous British theater performer of the last century Stella Patrick Campbell.
He came to the cinema in 1921, starring in the lead role in the drama of James Young "The Devil". In total, the performer has three dozen roles in silent and sound films.
Biography facts
The future artist was born in England in the spring of 1868. His parents gave him the name George Augustus.
The boy's father, William Joseph Arliss Andrews, held a high position in the publishing house and hoped that his son would continue his business. Mom - Rebecca Andrews, was a housewife and raised two sons. George had an older brother, Charles Arliss Andrews, who was born in 1864.
The boy was educated in one of the oldest private schools for boys, Harrow School. The educational institution was founded during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in 1571. The funds for the opening of the school were provided by a wealthy farmer, John Lyons. Many famous people of England studied and taught there, among whom were: W. Churchill, J. Byron, J. Nehru, the King of Jordan, Iraq and the Emir of Qatar.
After leaving school, Arliss began working in a publishing house, but when he was 18 years old, he decided to start a theatrical career. He quit his job and joined a small provincial theater in 1887.
In the first years, the young man did not receive serious roles. He only occasionally appeared in performances and spent most of his time behind the scenes.
Having gained experience, he went to London. There, in 1900, he first appeared on the stage of London's West End. The talented young man was quickly noticed and a year later he was invited to join the troupe led by the famous Stella Patrick Campbell, who was going on a tour of the cities of America.
The young actor planned to return to his homeland in a year, but his career began to grow rapidly in the United States. So he decided to stay abroad and ended up living in America for 20 years.
Theatrical career
George made his Broadway debut in 1902 in the play Magda. In the same year, he played a role in the production of "Zakkuri, Minister of War".
In 1903 he wrote his own play "There and Back", which was staged at the Princess Theater. Later he wrote several more plays, which were also staged on the theater stage and were successfully performed in America.
In 1908 Arliss got the main role in F. Molnar's play "The Devil". Later it was filmed, and the artist was able to demonstrate his talent already on the screen.
Producer J. Tyler, with whom Arliss was on friendly terms, ordered from L. N. Parker a special play for the talented actor. In 1911, the premiere of the play "Disraeli" took place, bringing the performer wide fame and fame. For 5 years he played the main character - Benjamin Disraeli, touring the country.
For many years Arliss played leading roles in famous Broadway productions of the early last century. In total, he worked on stage until 1930. Then he repeatedly took part in the production of radio plays.
Film career
George made his film debut in 1921. He landed the lead role of Dr. Mueller in The Devil, directed by James Young. In this picture, the actor worked together with his wife Florence.
The film is about a young girl named Marie. She has been dating Georges for a long time and the young people are to get married soon. But an artist named Paul intervenes in their relationship, who has feelings for Marie and wants to disrupt her plans. Once, at an exhibition in an art gallery, Marie met a certain Dr. Müller, who, after a short conversation, invites her to find out who really loves her and to whom of the young men she is ready to give her heart. Marie does not even suspect that Dr. Mueller is the real embodiment of evil and is ready to do anything to ruin the girl's life.
The next work of Arliss in the same year was the role in the biographical drama of Henry Kolker "Disraeli". Then the artist starred in several more silent films: "Main Passion", "The Man Who Played God", "Green Goddess", "$ 20 a week".
With the advent of sound to the cinema, Arliss continued to work in new projects. In 1929, he again played the lead role of Benjamin Disraeli, Prime Minister of England, in the sound version of Disraeli. The biographical drama was directed by Alfred E. Green.
The film received three Oscar nominations in the categories: Best Actor, Best Film and Best Screenplay. George Arliss won his nomination and, at 61, became the first British performer in film history to win an Academy Award.
In the following years, Arliss worked under contract with Warner Bros. Pictures and had special privileges in it. He could recruit actors for new films himself and rewrite scripts. So in 1932, George helped to reveal the talent of the young actress Bette Davis, inviting her to the picture "The Man Who Played God."
Arliss's last film work was the role in the film "Doctor Shinn", released in 1937. Arriving home before the outbreak of World War II, he was no longer able to return to America due to the outbreak of the bombing.
The famous actor passed away in the winter of 1946. The cause of death was bronchial asthma.
He is buried in Nanhead Cemetery, formerly called All Saints Cemetery.
In 1960, Arliss's name star was discovered on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at number 6648.
Personal life
George was devoted to one woman all his life. The actress Florence Montgomery became his wife in 1899.
The couple lived together for almost 47 years until the artist's death. Florence survived her husband by 4 years and died in London in March 1950. The couple had no children.
