Richard Harris Biography: Richard St John Francis Harris (1 October 1930 – 25 October 2002) was an esteemed Irish actor and singer. He studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and became a prominent figure in the British New Wave cinema. Harris earned several accolades, including the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor and a Grammy Award. In 2020, The Irish Times ranked him as the third greatest film actor from Ireland. Harris received two Academy Award nominations for Best Actor for his performances in This Sporting Life (1963) and The Field (1990). His notable film roles include appearances in The Guns of Navarone (1961), Red Desert (1964), A Man Called Horse (1970), Cromwell (1970), Unforgiven (1992), Gladiator (2000), and The Count of Monte Cristo (2002). He gained widespread recognition for portraying Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films.
Richard Harris Biography 2024
Richard St John Francis Harris was an Irish actor and singer. Having studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, he rose to prominence as an icon of the British New Wave. He received numerous accolades including the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor, and a Grammy Award.
Born: 1 October 1930, Limerick, Ireland
Died: 25 October 2002 (age 72 years), University College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
Spouse: Ann Turkel (m. 1974–1982), Elizabeth Rees-Williams (m. 1957–1969)
Children: Jared Harris, Jamie Harris, Damian Harris
Height: 1.85 m
Siblings: Dermot Harris, William George Harris, Patrick Ivan Harris, Noel William Michael Harris
Richard Harris Biography 2024 Details
| Born | Richard St John Francis Harris 1 October 1930 Limerick, Ireland |
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| Died | 25 October 2002 (aged 72)Bloomsbury , London, England |
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| Resting place | Mount Saint Lawrence Cemetery, Limerick, Ireland |
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| Alma mater | London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art |
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| Occupation(s) | Actor, singer |
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| Years active | 1956–2002 |
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| Spouses | Ann Turkel (m. 1974; div. 1982)
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| Children | |
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| Relatives | Annabelle Wallis (great-niece) |
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| Category | Singers Bio |
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Early Life
Born on 1 October 1930, in Limerick, Ireland, Richard Harris was the fifth of eight children in a family led by flour merchant Ivan Harris and Mildred (née Harty). The family lived in Overdale, a grand early 19th-century home in a prosperous area of Limerick. Harris was educated by the Jesuits at Crescent College and excelled in rugby, playing on several Munster Junior and Senior Cup teams. However, his athletic pursuits were curtailed when he contracted tuberculosis in his teens. He remained a passionate supporter of Munster Rugby and attended many matches throughout his life, often enjoying playful antics with fellow rugby enthusiasts like Peter O’Toole and Richard Burton.
After recovering from tuberculosis, Harris moved to Great Britain, aspiring to become a director. Finding no suitable training courses, he enrolled at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art to study acting. He had previously faced rejection from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the Central School of Speech and Drama, which deemed him too old at 24. While studying, he took the initiative to rent the Irving Theatre, where he directed a production of Clifford Odets’s play Winter Journey (The Country Girl).
Death
In August 2002, Richard Harris was hospitalized due to pneumonia and subsequently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease. He passed away on October 25, 2002, at the age of 72 after spending three days in a coma at London’s University College Hospital. Following his cremation, his ashes were scattered at his home in the Bahamas. In 2006, a bronze statue depicting a young Harris playing racquetball was unveiled in Kilkee, County Clare, Ireland, honoring his victories in local competitions during the 1940s. Additionally, a statue of Harris as King Arthur was erected in his hometown of Limerick.
Richard Harris Net Worth
Richard Harris was an acclaimed Irish actor, singer, producer, and director, whose net worth was estimated at $20 million at the time of his passing in 2002. Known for his dynamic roles and powerful performances, he garnered significant earnings throughout his illustrious career.
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Richard Harris Salary
Year | Film/Project | Estimated Earnings |
1963 | This Sporting Life | $500,000 |
1967 | Camelot | $1 million |
1992 | Unforgiven | $2 million |
2000 | Gladiator | |
2001 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone | $5 million |
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Richard Harris at a Glance
Detail | Information |
Full Name | Richard St John Francis Harris |
Birthdate | October 1, 1930 |
Birthplace | |
Death | October 25, 2002 |
Notable Roles | Albus Dumbledore, King Arthur |
Academy Award Nominations | 2 (Best Actor) |
Golden Globe Wins | 1 |
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Richard Harris Career Highlights
Year | Film/Production | Notable Achievement |
1959 | Alive and Kicking | Film Debut |
1964 | This Sporting Life | |
1970 | Cromwell | Lead Role |
2000 | Gladiator | Role as Marcus Aurelius |
2001 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone | Iconic Role as Dumbledore |
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Richard Harris Personal Life
Detail | Information |
First Marriage | Elizabeth Rees-Williams (1957) |
Children | |
Second Marriage | Ann Turkel (divorced in 1982) |
Notable Relationships | Rex Harrison (ex-spouse of Elizabeth) |
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Richard Harris Awards and Nominations
Award Type | Year | Film/Performance |
Academy Award | 1964 | This Sporting Life |
Golden Globe | 1968 | |
Primetime Emmy | 1972 | The Snow Goose |
Grammy | 1974 | Jonathan Livingston Seagull |
Screen Actors Guild | 2000 | Gladiator (shared nomination) |
