Richard Attenborough

Last updated on the 31 May 2025 by Maeve

Mini Biography

Born: 29 August 1923, Cambridge, England. 

Richard Attenborough developed an early interest in acting, nurtured by his parents. Frederick Attenborough, his father, pursued an academic career, while his mother, Mary Clegg, nurtured his artistic aspirations. He completed his formal education at Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester before earning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. His time at RADA refined his acting abilities and provided the groundwork for his remarkable career.

Richard Attenborough embarked on his professional acting journey on stage in the 1940s before swiftly moving into the world of cinema. His early notable roles included Pinkie Brown in “Brighton Rock” (1947), a chilling portrayal of a young gangster, and his appearances in “The Guinea Pig” (1948) and “Morning Departure” (1950) solidified his reputation as a dynamic and captivating performer. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he continued to build an impressive filmography with roles in “The Great Escape” (1963), “Seance on a Wet Afternoon” (1964), and “The Sand Pebbles” (1966). While less prominent in television, his early work in theatre significantly shaped his approach to performance.

Later in his career, Richard Attenborough transitioned into directing and producing, achieving remarkable success behind the camera. He directed and produced the epic historical drama “Gandhi” (1982), which garnered numerous accolades, including Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture. Other notable directorial works include “A Chorus Line” (1985), “Cry Freedom” (1987), and the blockbuster “Jurassic Park” (1993), for which he also appeared in a memorable acting role.

In his personal life, Richard Attenborough was married to actress Sheila Sim from 1945 until his death in 2014. They had three children: Jane, Michael and Charlotte. Their eldest daughter, Jane, tragically died in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Attenborough was a lifelong supporter of Chelsea Football Club and held various administrative positions within the club. He was also deeply involved in numerous charitable causes and held positions with organisations such as UNICEF UK. His dedication to both the arts and humanitarian efforts earned him widespread respect and admiration.

WINNER | Film: British Actor for Guns At Batasi / Séance On A Wet Afternoon (1965) | Film: Film and Director for Gandhi (1983) | Film: Alexander Korda Award for the outstanding British Film of the Year for Shadowlands (1994)

WINNER | Best Picture and Best Director for Gandhi (1983)

Suggested viewing

Brighton Rock (1948)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.3

In the gritty seaside town of Brighton, a ruthless gangster named Pinkie Brown seeks to eliminate a journalist who wrote an exposé that led to the death of his colleague. Desperate to cover his tracks, Pinkie ensnares an innocent waitress, Rose, into his web of deceit, promising her marriage in exchange for her alibi. As Pinkie’s grip on reality loosens, he becomes consumed by a twisted love for Rose, leading them both down a path of moral degradation and inescapable darkness.

Top cast: Richard Attenborough, Hermione Baddeley, William Hartnell, Nigel Stock, Wylie Watson, Carol Marsh, Harcourt Williams, Virginia Winter, Reginald Purnell.

Alternative version

Dunkirk (1958)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.1

Amidst the chaos and desperation of the Dunkirk evacuation, a group of British soldiers, led by the steadfast Corporal “Tubby” Binns, must fight for their survival against overwhelming odds. As they face the treacherous waters and relentless airstrikes, they are aided by an unlikely alliance of civilian ships, showcasing the extraordinary spirit of unity and resilience that emerged amidst the darkest hours of World War II.

Top cast: John Mills, Richard Attenborough, Bernard Lee, Robert Urquhart, Ray Jackson, Sean Barrett, Victor Maddern, Maxine Audley.

Similar version

Séance on a Wet Afternoon (1964)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.6

In the guise of a psychic, Myra Savage orchestrates a daring kidnapping scheme to elevate her fraudulent practice to national attention. Billy, her meek husband, becomes an unwilling accomplice, as Myra’s obsession with her late son and a desperate thirst for fame blur the lines between reality and delusion. As the stakes rise and the truth unravels, their fragile bond and the fate of the kidnapped child hang perilously in the balance.

Top cast: Richard Attenborough, Nanette Newman, Kim Stanley, Mark Eden, Godfrey James, Gerald Sim, Patrick Magee.

I’m All Right Jack (1959)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.1

In the midst of post-war Britain’s changing social landscape, an aimless aristocrat finds himself caught between his profit-driven uncle and a militant trade union leader. As he tackles the complexities of class and labour relations, he unwittingly becomes a pawn in a battle of egos and agendas, ultimately discovering the harsh realities of corporate greed and the power of collective action.

Top cast: Ian Carmichael, Terry-Thomas, Peter Sellers, Richard Attenborough, Dennis Price, Margaret Rutherford, Irene Handl, Liz Fraser.

Rillington Place (1971)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.5

In post-war England, a seemingly innocent landlord, John Christie, harbours a dark secret. As he preys on vulnerable women, a tragic miscarriage of justice ensues, implicating an unsuspecting neighbour. Amidst the unsettling atmosphere of post-war London, the film explores the depths of human depravity and the devastating consequences of flawed justice.

Top cast: Richard Attenborough, Judy Geeson, John Hurt, Pat Heywood, Isobel Black, Phyllis MacMahon, Ray Barron, Douglas Blackwell.

Alternative version

Full filmography (@Wikipedia)