Charles Laughton: A Brief Biography And Two Plays

Charles Laughton (1899-1962) was an English actor known for his powerful performances on stage and screen. He is best remembered for his roles as Captain Bligh in Mutiny on the Bounty (1935),Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939),and Henry VIII in The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933).

Biography

Laughton was born in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, on July 1, 1899. His father was a hotelkeeper, and his mother was a pianist. Laughton attended Scarborough College and then studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

Laughton made his stage debut in 1926 in a production of Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author. He quickly established himself as a rising star, and in 1931 he won the Tony Award for Best Actor for his performance in the Broadway production of Payment Deferred.

Charles Laughton: A Brief Biography and Two Plays

by Bruce Zortman

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	567 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	172 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	101 pages
Item Weight	:	9.1 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.23 x 11 inches

FREE

Laughton made his film debut in 1932 in the British film The Old Dark House. He went on to star in a number of notable films, including The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933),Mutiny on the Bounty (1935),The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939),and Witness for the Prosecution (1957).

Laughton was known for his versatility as an actor. He could play both comedic and dramatic roles with equal skill. He was also known for his physical presence and his ability to create memorable characters.

Laughton was married twice. His first wife was Elsa Lanchester, whom he married in 1929. They had one child, a daughter named Avril. Laughton and Lanchester divorced in 1940. Laughton married his second wife, Elsa Maxwell, in 1943. They remained married until Laughton's death in 1962.

Laughton died of cancer in Hollywood, California, on December 15, 1962. He was 63 years old.

Two Plays by Charles Laughton

In addition to his acting career, Laughton also wrote two plays:

• The Night of the Iguana (1961) is a drama about a defrocked minister who takes a job as a tour guide in Mexico. The play was adapted into a film in 1964 starring Richard Burton.
• The Guest House (1959) is a comedy about a group of people who are stranded at a guest house during a storm. The play was adapted into a film in 1960 starring Peggy Cummins.

Charles Laughton was a brilliant actor who left a lasting legacy on the stage and screen. His performances were always memorable, and he created some of the most iconic characters in cinema history. Laughton's two plays are also worth exploring, as they offer a glimpse into his creative mind and his unique sense of humor.

Charles Laughton: A Brief Biography and Two Plays

by Bruce Zortman

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	567 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	172 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	101 pages
Item Weight	:	9.1 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.23 x 11 inches

FREE