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Last updated on the 12 June 2025 by Evandrus
Mini Biography
Born: 21 January 1922, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.
Paul Scofield was a towering figure in British theatre and film. His early life was marked by a nascent passion for performance. His acting talent began to emerge during his time at the Varndean School for Boys in Brighton. Though not formally trained at a prestigious drama school, Scofield honed his craft through local amateur theatricals and his early professional engagements.
Scofield’s career truly gained significant momentum after the war. He quickly became renowned for his powerful stage presence and a unique ability to convey profound emotion with understated intensity. His 1955 performance as Hamlet at what was then the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre (now the Royal Shakespeare Theatre) is often celebrated as a defining moment in theatrical history.
Scofield continued to master classical roles, lending remarkable depth and subtle complexity to figures by Shakespeare, Chekhov, and Ibsen. Although he appeared in fewer films than stage productions, his work on screen was no less remarkable. His depiction of Sir Thomas More in the 1966 film “A Man for All Seasons” brought him global recognition and won him the Academy Award for Best Actor. Other notable film roles included “King Lear” (1971) and “Quiz Show” (1994).
Despite his immense success, Scofield remained a remarkably private individual. He was known for his humility and aversion to the trappings of celebrity. He married actress Joy Parker in 1943, and their marriage endured for over 60 years until his death. They were parents to a son and a daughter. Paul Scofield passed away on March 19, 2008, at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable performances and a reputation as one of the finest actors of his generation.
WINNER | Film: Most Promising Newcomer To Film for That Lady (1956) | Film: British Actor for A Man For All Seasons (1968) | Film: Actor in a Supporting Role for The Crucible (1997)
WINNER | Best Actor in a Leading Role for A Man for All Seasons (1967)
Suggested viewing
Martin Chuzzlewit (1994)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.1
Young “Martin Chuzzlewit”, disinherited by his rich grandfather for loving Mary, an orphan raised by the old man. The novel sharply satirises the Chuzzlewit family’s selfishness and hypocrisy. Martin’s journey, which includes an eye-opening trip to America, explores themes of greed, personal growth and moral redemption.
Top cast: Emma Chambers, Paul Scofield, Julia Sawalha, Tom Wilkinson, Keith Allen, Philip Franks, Pete Postlethwaite, Pauline Turner.
More Dickens
A Man for All Seasons (1966)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.7
“A Man for All Seasons” is a historical drama set in the 16th century, centring around Thomas More’s moral and ethical convictions amidst political turmoil. The story unfolds as he grapples with the complexities of loyalty and honour in the face of power struggles and personal dilemmas, showcasing the clash between principles and pragmatism.
Top cast: Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles, Susannah York, Nigel Davenport, John Hurt, Vanessa Redgrave.
Related to
Mister Corbett’s Ghost (1987)
Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 7.0
“Mister Corbett’s Ghost” follows the mysterious events that unfold after a man inherits a haunted cottage from his uncle, Mr. Corbett. As he begins to uncover the secrets of the past, strange occurrences and ghostly encounters threaten to unravel the truth behind the unsettling legacy left behind by his deceased relative.
Top cast: Paul Scofield, John Huston, Mark Farmer, Burgess Meredith, Alexei Sayle, Mark Lewis, Jools Holland.
The Attic: The Hiding of Anne Frank (1988)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.8
In the midst of the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam, Otto Frank opts to conceal his Jewish family when his daughter Margot gets summoned for transportation to a Nazi labour camp. Miep Gies, Otto Frank’s secretary, shelters them in the attic above the office. The film narrates Gies’ real-life challenges in safeguarding the family from detection and harm as the Nazis cause chaos in Amsterdam.
Top cast: Mary Steenburgen, Paul Scofield, Victor Spinetti, Tom Wilkinson, Lisa Jacobs, Huub Stapel, Eleanor Bron.
Alternative version
Male of the Species (1969)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.3
Mary MacNeil learned a harsh lesson about trust from her experiences with three men: her father, a deceitful womaniser; an office flirt, Cornelius; and an ageing barrister, Emlyn, who was captivated by Mary’s vigour and charm. In the end, only one of these men will capture her heart.
The TV plays “Male of the Species” were originally developed as three episodes for the British ‘ITV Saturday Night Theatre’ series. In the UK, they were titled ‘Macneil’ with Sean Connery, ‘Cornelius’ with Michael Caine and ‘Emlyn’ with Paul Scofield.
Top cast: Paul Scofield, Michael Caine, Anna Calder-Marshall, Sean Connery, Laurence Olivier.
