Charles Laughton Biography

Charles Laughton was an English actor counted amongst the most versatile performers of his generation. He was also a successful director, producer and screen writer. An accomplished character actor of both the stage and film, he was as adept at playing classical roles as he was in modern ones. Born to Yorkshire hotel keepers in England, he developed an early interest in acting and received training in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Naturally talented, he proceeded to establish himself as a successful stage actor in London theatres. He first went to the United States in 1931 and performed there. His increasing stature as a performer led him to Hollywood where he first appeared in ‘The Old Dark House.’ Though not conventionally good looking or well-built with a muscular physique, Laughton established himself as a successful actor with his intense character roles, and was especially famed for his portrayal of a vicious murderer in ‘Payment Deferred’ and of Henry VIII in ‘The Private Life of Henry VIII’, the latter of which won him an Academy Award. He eventually began directing as well and his most notable box-office success as a director came with the stage production ‘The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial.’ He also made a few television appearances during the later years of his career.