Biography

Harcourt Williams was born on March 30, 1880 in Croydon, Surrey, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for Roman Holiday (1953), Around the World in 80 Days (1956) and Hamlet (1948). He was married to Jean Sterling MacKinlay. He died on December 13, 1957 in London, England, UK.

First stage appearance 1898

Distinguished British stage actor, with Frank Benson's company from 1897 and with Ellen Terry from 1903. Excelled at classical roles and, between 1929 and 1934, assumed directorship of the Lilian Baylis Old Vic theatre company, in which capacity he hired both John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson as leading actors. On screen, he is best remembered as King Charles VI of France in Laurence Olivier's 1944 production of "Henry V".

No scenery or furniture ever devised are worth the price of slowing up a play.