Albert Finney

Accomplished actor Albert Finney was born May 9, 1936, in Salford, Lancashire, United Kingdom. At age nineteen, Albert graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. From there, he went on to perform in Shakespeare productions, and soon earned a prestigious opportunity as the legendary Laurence Olivier’s understudy for the Shakespeare productions at Stratford-upon-Avon . Albert’s efforts in the lead role in Coriolanus led to recognition and film roles.

In 1957, Albert married Jane Wenham. The marriage lasted four years, and the couple had one son together, named Simon. In 1970, Albert married Anouk Aimée, but the couple divorced after eight years of marriage.

In 1960, Albert was chosen to star in the British film Saturday Night and Sunday Morning. His performance was met with critical acclaim, and led to a lead role in the 1963 film Tom Jones, an adaptation of Henry Fielding’s novel. The film went on to win an impressive four Academy Awards. In 1967, Albert once again received critical acclaim for his performance opposite Audrey Hepburn in Two for the Road, a drama and comedy mix about marital mayhem.

With his film career taking off, Albert did not abandon his love of live performance. He continued to act with National Theatre Company in London , performing in various productions. For his theater work, he was recognized with a Tony nomination for both Luther and A Day in the Death of Joe Egg.

Unable to be type-cast into any particular character, Albert tackled such diverse roles as twentieth century art aficionado in Picasso Summer (1969); nineteenth century penny-pincher in Scrooge (1970); and disgruntled husband in Alpha Beta (1973). He has also played such roles as a sleuth in Murder on the Orient Express (1974); a Napoleonic Frenchman in The Duellists (1978); a werewolf hunter in Wolfen (1981), and a cosmetic surgeon in Looker (1981).