Oscar Winner Paul Scofield Dies At 86

[DB7]

Oscar Winner Paul Scofield Dies At 86

OSCAR winner Paul Scofield has died, his agent said today.

The actor died peacefully yesterday in a hospital near his Sussex home, Rosalind Chatto said. He was 86.

He had been diagnosed with leukaemia, Ms Chatto added.

Scofield was considered one of the greatest actors of his generation, winning an Oscar in 1966 for his portrayal of the Tudor statesman Sir Thomas More in the film of Robert Bolt's A Man For All Seasons.

He made his name on the London stage, playing many of the greatest roles in theatre and winning several Baftas.

[batman]

He was terrific in A Man For All Seasons, The Train and Quiz Show. RIP Mr Scofield.

[julian_craster]

He was excellent in the US film THE TRAIN, with Burt Lancaster....

BBC News
Thursday, 20 March 2008, 10:04 GMT

Obituary: Paul Scofield

Scofield was a magisterial actor on stage and screen
With his rich voice and distinguished face, Paul Scofield was one of the greatest actors of his age, playing nearly all the major Shakespearean roles - most notably King Lear - on stage and screen.

Schofield's other memorable stage performances included playing the twin brothers in Anouilh's Ring Round the Moon, the priest in The Power and the Glory and Salieri in Amadeus.

He also played Sir Thomas More in the stage and screen versions of A Man for All Seasons.

He won an Oscar for that role in 1967 but, even then, in spite of tempting film offers, he never deserted his first love, the stage.

David Paul Scofield was born in Sussex in 1922, the son of a village headmaster. His first experience of acting came while he was at school in Brighton, and he made his professional debut in London in January 1940.

The Army turned him down on medical grounds and he spent the war with various repertory companies, including two years with Birmingham Rep and a tour with ENSA. Just after the war he had two seasons at Stratford-upon-Avon, playing Henry V, among other roles.

Paul Scofield in A Man for All Seasons
Oscar winner: Scofield in A Man for All Seasons

Then, in 1950, came Ring Round the Moon. He was with John Gielgud's company in the early 1950s, and in 1955 played Hamlet in London and Moscow.

The following year he won an Evening Standard award in The Power and the Glory. He branched out in 1958, making a first - and acclaimed - appearance in a musical as a singer's agent in Expresso Bongo.

Scofield appeared in A Man for All Seasons in London in 1960, and made a triumphant debut on Broadway in the same play the following year.

Two years later, came what is generally considered to have been his greatest role - King Lear in Peter Brook's production, first at Stratford, then in London, Paris and many East European cities - including Moscow - and New York.

A private man

In 1971, he won more awards for the film of King Lear. He also played Macbeth in Finland and Russia.

He worked a lot with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. More recently, he collected honours for I'm Not Rappaport, about two old men who meet in a park.

Paul Scofield made few films. His first, That Lady, in which he played Philip II of Spain, brought him offers which he didn't take up. He was also in Carve Her Name with Pride.
Paul Scofield in Martin Chuzzlewit
Paul Scofield made a rare television appearance in Martin Chuzzlewit
A Man for All Seasons was only his fourth film.

He was to have been in The Shooting Party in 1983, but broke a leg and a couple of ribs in an accident on the first day of filming, and was replaced by James Mason.

And, in 1994, he was nominated for, but did not win, an Oscar for his role in the film Quiz Show.

Paul Scofield appeared only occasionally on television, but made a notable appearance in the BBC adaptation of Dickens' Martin Chuzzlewit.

On radio, he played Macbeth and Othello, among other roles. Throughout his career, critics raved about Scofield's distinguished appearance, noble features and tremendous presence.

And his voice, which could thunder at one moment before turning into a whisper the next, enthralled audiences around the world.

Offstage, he kept his private life private. He was married to the actress, Joy Parker, and they had a son and a daughter.

He received a CBE in 1956, but is thought to have consistently rejected attempts to give him a knighthood. But in the New Year's Honours for 2001, he was made a Companion of Honour.

[dremble wedge]

Oh dear. What a loss.

Although he didn't appear in many films (and therefore his reputation will diminish in comparison to other, lesser actors who did) he was one of the greatest actors this country produced.

I'd add Martin Chuzzlewit and The Crucible to the above...

[Gazza]

His King Lear (Peter Brook, 1971) is a fine example of understatement, measure and an understanding of a director's vision.

Truly one of our best.

[Moor Larkin]

Originally Posted by dremble wedge Although he didn't appear in many films (and therefore his reputation will diminish in comparison to other, lesser actors who did) he was one of the greatest actors this country produced.

He is almost ubiquitous in the Fifties theatre magazines I often browse. Clearly a giant of his time.

[Windthrop]

Saw him in John Gabriel Borkman at the national and he was mesmerising. He usually went for quality in his work and you have to respect him for that.

[stevie boy]

Originally Posted by Windthrop Saw him in John Gabriel Borkman at the national and he was mesmerising. He usually went for quality in his work and you have to respect him for that.

as you say Quality, a great actor, a sad loss

[Geronimo]

Saw him as Macbeth in Cardiff in the 1970's - superb

[J. J.]

An amazing, wonderful actor...

[Marky B]

One of the giants of acting. His Sir Thomas More was a tour-de-force. What with Anthony Minghella and Brian Wilde,it has been a sad week for the British Film Industry.
Ta Ta
Marky B

[dremble wedge]

I completely forgot about his narration in the wonderful Patrick Keiller duo London and Robinson in Space - two of my favourite British films of the 90s.

[IAN P]

One of the greats,has sadly passed away,oscar winner for A Man For All Seasons.

sorry guys,i didnt see the other thread,mods can delete if they wish

[smudge]

Sad to hear of the passing of another supremely sublime actor.

One more gone from that generation who never needed to jump up and down and shout, "Look at me!" to convince you that he deserved his status, unlike so many modern 'stars'...

Respect.

Smudge

[andiweaves]

Wow, so sad to hear of his passing. He was an extraordinary actor.

R.I.P Paul