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Confessions of an Actor: Laurence Olivier an Autobiography

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some men are born for greatness..others aspire to it. Laurence Olivier was a man born for the stage and for Shakespeare. He found his fame through the Bard's plays, speaking the words as if as naturally as he were thinking them at the moment. This beautiful book takes you inside his world of make believe and never talks down to you but you see the world as he sees it. He did it with grace, elegance and a touch of class. He writes of his life long friendship with Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud and other notable stars. Read this book, then watch some of his finest films, "Wuthering Heights", "King Lear", "Richard III", "Marathon Man", "Spartacus", "The Entertainer", "49th Parallet". Truly one of generations legendary actors.

"I don't know what is better than the work that is given to the actor -- to teach the human heart the knowledge of itself." [January 1970]

Sir Laurence Olivier imparts to us the intimate details of his personal life, before he became the great Shakespearean actor we all know so damn well. He shares his reflections on what he did in his life and what he regrets. No one could do this with more grace and humor than the Master Of The Bard. Rated PG for thematic elements and some language.

Obviously I'm not the only person in the world who regards Laurence Olivier as one of the greatest actors ever, (And in his youth, totally GORGEOUS) but for a while I was probably the only one under the age of fifteen. Flashforward a few years, and Reading Hamlet in class renewed my interest in him. After watching his version of it I decided to give his autobiography a read. I wasn't disappointed at all.

Laurence Olivier is more than just a name or a face. He was a legend, always trying to get that perfect preformance, yet never believing he succeeded. In Confessions of an Actor he begins his story by talking about his childhood, the beginning of his career and his first unsuccessful marriage, then onto his affair/ marriage to Vivien Leigh and it's ultimate and tragic downfall. And lastly becoming Sir Laurence Olivier, head of the Brittish theater, and new husband to Joan Plowright. There's also some nice black and white photos scattered throughout the book to look at. It may be dry at times, but at others, he had me laughing out loud. He really was quit funny. I'm not sure if this book is in print anymore, but it should be. Countless other bios have been written about Sir Laurence, there still in print, why isn't this one? It's his life in his own words. (Though sometimes a guess an 'outside' look is good too.)

I'd only recomend this book to really big fans of Laurence Olivier, but if you are, you won't be disappointed. A great sadness rests within my heart, because I will never see Laurence Olivier on the stage, the place were he truly shined, but thankfully, there is this book that I can read, and savor. Thank you for writing this book before you passed away Sir Laurence, I really appreciate it, because it really was entertaining.

Fantastic information in this book full of Wisdom. Interesting to hear about his struggles and his adventures. He also appreciated his friends. God Bless this Great Actor!!