Richard Attenborough: A Life of Passion and Achievement


Full Name and Common Aliases


Richard Samuel Attenborough was born on August 29, 1923, in Cambridge, England. He is commonly known as Dickie Attenborough.

Birth and Death Dates


August 29, 1923 - August 24, 2014 (aged 90)

Nationality and Profession(s)


English actor, director, and producer

Early Life and Background


Richard Attenborough was born to Frederick and Mary Attenborough. His father was a headmaster at the local school in Cambridge. The family moved to Leicester when Richard was six years old. He developed an interest in acting during his teenage years and joined the Hampstead Repertory Theatre Company. After completing his education, he served in the Royal Air Force as a physical training instructor.

Major Accomplishments


Attenborough's acting career spanned over five decades. Some of his notable roles include:

_Brighton Rock_ (1947) - his film debut
_The Great Escape_ (1963)
_Doctor Dolittle_ (1967)
_Chaplin_ (1992)

As a director, he was responsible for some iconic films:

_Oh! What a Lovely War_ (1969)
_Gandhi_ (1982) - won eight Academy Awards
_Cry Freedom_ (1987)
_Shadowlands_ (1993)

Notable Works or Actions


Attenborough was an advocate for film preservation and restoration. He co-founded the National Film Theatre in London and served as its chairman from 1961 to 1976. In addition, he was a member of the Board of Governors at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Impact and Legacy


Richard Attenborough's contributions to film are immeasurable. He was honored with numerous awards, including an Honorary Academy Award in 1982 for his work as a director on _Gandhi_. This film not only showcased his technical skills but also highlighted its importance in promoting cultural understanding.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Richard Attenborough's quotes and statements often convey the significance of storytelling, the role of art in society, and the impact of films on people's lives. His dedication to preserving film heritage and his commitment to promoting diversity through filmmaking have earned him a lasting legacy. As a director, actor, and advocate for film preservation, he has left an indelible mark on the industry.

Throughout his life, Richard Attenborough demonstrated a passion for storytelling that resonated with audiences worldwide. His impact extends beyond the silver screen; he inspired new generations of filmmakers to create meaningful content.

Quotes by Richard Attenborough

Richard Attenborough's insights on:

I like to make films about people who changed the lives of others and asserted human dignity.
"
I like to make films about people who changed the lives of others and asserted human dignity.
In the late 1940s, there weren't any pop stars, and TV didn't exist.
"
In the late 1940s, there weren't any pop stars, and TV didn't exist.
I have no great interest in being remembered as a great creative filmmaker.
"
I have no great interest in being remembered as a great creative filmmaker.
Ben Kingsley was my ideal choice for Gandhi, and he really lived up to the expectations of an international audience. I did not find any Indian actor worthy to perform the role of Gandhi in the early Eighties, though there were brilliant performers like Naseeruddin Shah in India.
"
Ben Kingsley was my ideal choice for Gandhi, and he really lived up to the expectations of an international audience. I did not find any Indian actor worthy to perform the role of Gandhi in the early Eighties, though there were brilliant performers like Naseeruddin Shah in India.
I lived in an atmosphere where Mama brought 60 Basque refugee children to England during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.
"
I lived in an atmosphere where Mama brought 60 Basque refugee children to England during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.
There are things I want to say: They are very important to me, and, not being a writer, I do it through movies.
"
There are things I want to say: They are very important to me, and, not being a writer, I do it through movies.
I'm not a pyrotechnical director; I'm not good with all those innovative things. What I am interested in is how actors can touch the heads and hearts of an audience.
"
I'm not a pyrotechnical director; I'm not good with all those innovative things. What I am interested in is how actors can touch the heads and hearts of an audience.
My father thought Gandhi was a great man. I suppose subconsciously, consciously even, I was aware that I wanted to please him and Ma, so I thought doing something like 'Gandhi' would be phenomenal.
"
My father thought Gandhi was a great man. I suppose subconsciously, consciously even, I was aware that I wanted to please him and Ma, so I thought doing something like 'Gandhi' would be phenomenal.
My family were liberal with a small 'l' but passionately doers. I wanted to be a doer.
"
My family were liberal with a small 'l' but passionately doers. I wanted to be a doer.
Throughout my life, I always remember that consideration of people who were less fortunate than we. We lived in an atmosphere of awareness, and we certainly did not live a life whereby we ignored, or felt that we could ignore, that which was in evidence around us.
"
Throughout my life, I always remember that consideration of people who were less fortunate than we. We lived in an atmosphere of awareness, and we certainly did not live a life whereby we ignored, or felt that we could ignore, that which was in evidence around us.
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