Alec Guinness

Sir Alec Guinness CH CBE, born Alec Guinness de Cuffe, was a British actor whose career spanned from 1934 to 1996. He was highly noted in the British Film Institute listing of 1999 of the 100 most important British films of the 20th century, represented across nine films; this included six in starring roles and three in supporting roles. Many of these films were directed by David Lean or produced by Ealing Studios. Over his career, he won numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and a Tony Award. In 1959, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to the arts. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, the Academy Honorary Award for lifetime achievement in 1980, and the BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award in 1989. Guinness began his stage career in 1934, making his mark in Shakespearean roles. During the Second World War, Guinness served in the Royal Naval Reserve, commanding a landing craft during the invasion of Sicily and Elba. He later gained recognition for his role in George Lucas's original Star Wars trilogy, and spent his later life closely associated with his definitive depiction of the leading role of George Smiley in the two BBC television series of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Smiley's People by John le Carré.