Rex Harrison

First came to notice in the London stage version of "French Without Tears" in 1937, but was not considered for the 1940 film version since he was unknown in Hollywood.

Was in four Oscar Best Picture nominees: The Citadel (1938) Cleopatra (1963), My Fair Lady (1964) and Doctor Dolittle (1967). My Fair Lady was the only winner.

Rex Harrison was born Reginald Carey Harrison in Huyton, Lancashire, England, to Edith Mary (Carey) and William Reginald Harrison, a cotton broker. He changed his name to Rex as a young boy, knowing it was the Latin word for "King". Starting out on his theater career at age 18, his first job at the Liverpool Rep Theatre was nearly his last - dashing across the stage to say his one line, made his entrance and promptly blew it. Fates were kind, however, and soon he began landing roles in the West End. "French Without Tears", a play by Terence Rattigan, proved to be his breakthrough role. Soon he was being called the "greatest actor of light comedy in the world". Having divorced his first wife Collette Thomas in 1942, he married German actress Lilli Palmer. The two began appearing together in many plays and British films.

Father, with Lilli Palmer, of Carey Harrison, born in 1944.

He attained international fame when he portrayed the King in Anna and the King of Siam (1946), his first American film. After a sex scandal, in which starlet Carole Landis apparently committed suicide because he ended their affair, the relationship with wife Lilli became strained. Rex (by this time known as "Sexy Rexy" for his philandering ways and magnetic charm) began a relationship with British actress Kay Kendall and divorced Lilli to marry the terminally ill Kay with hopes of a re-marriage to Palmer upon Kay's death. The death of Kay affected Harrison greatly and Lilli never returned to him. During this time Rex was offered the defining role of his career: Professor Henry Higgins in the original production of "My Fair Lady". He won the Tony for the play and an Oscar for the film version.

Won three Tony Awards: in 1949, as Best Actor (Dramatic) for "Anne of the Thousand Days"; in 1957, as Best Actor (Musical) for "My Fair Lady", which he recreated in an Oscar-winning performance in the film version of the same title, My Fair Lady (1964) and a Special Tony Award in 1969. He was also nominated in 1984 as Best Actor (Play) for his role as Capt. Shotover in George Bernard Shaw's "Heartbreak House".

Brother-in-law of David Maxwell Fyfe, one of the prosecutors at the Nuremberg Trials, later British Home Secretary from 1951-54 and Lord Chancellor from 1954-62.

Turned down the role of The King in King and I, The (1956). The role went to Yul Brynner. Harrison had previously played the role in the non-musical Anna and the King of Siam (1946).

In 1962 Harrison married actress Rachel Roberts. This union and the one following it to Elizabeth Harris (Richard's ex) also ended in divorce.

In a 1963 interview his friend Dirk Bogarde named Harrison as the actor who had influenced him most.

Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II of England at the age of 81. At the time of his investiture as a knight, Harrison stated that he thought his best film performance was not as Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady (1964), for which he'd won his Oscar, but as Julius Caesar in Cleopatra (1963), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. [1989]

Member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1965.

His character in Doctor Dolittle (1967) may have been able to talk to the animals, but Harrison couldn't avoid being bitten by them during filming.

Rex Harrison commissioned David Pursall and Jack Seddon to do a screenplay of 'Pride of LIons' which he'd bought the rights of and intended to produce. (1970). He also purchased the rights to 'Nowhere Girl' by Angela Huth.

He was reportedly considered for the role of Nicholas II in Nicholas and Alexandra (1971); the part ultimately went to British stage actor Michael Jayston. However, a recent biography of producer Sam Spiegel claims that Harrison was in fact never offered the part, since at 63 he was too old to play the Tsar, who was only 50 at the time of his death. Harrison was in fact offered the role of Count Witte, but replied, "Tell him [Spiegel] that I don't play bit parts." Laurence Olivier apparently had no reservations as to accepting a "bit part," and accepted the role of Count Witte.

In 1978 Rex met and married Mercia Tinker.

Retired from films in 1979 after making A Time to Die (1982), but continued to act on Broadway and television.

Starred in a play at the Santa Monica Playhouse in the 1980s.

He was created a Knight Bachelor in the 1989 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to drama.

He and Mercia remained happily married until his death in 1990.

Is the basis for the voice of Stewie Griffin on Family Guy (1999).