Charles Laughton

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Born in Scarborough, Yorkshire on 1st July 1899, Charles Laughton was a celebrated thespian who graduated from London’s West End onto Broadway and then Hollywood in the 1930s where he worked with the likes of Clark Gable, Carole Lombard and Gary Cooper.

 

His brilliance as a performer was evidenced in a diverse array of iconic roles, showcasing his unparalleled talent for character immersion. He received widespread acclaim for his portrayal of the hunchbacked bellringer in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) and a menacingly intense Captain Bligh in Mutiny on the Bounty (1935). 

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Laughton made one foray behind the camera with the hauntingly atmospheric film noir, The Night of the Hunter (1955,). Now considered a masterpiece, the poor reception it received upon release meant he never directed a film again. 

Charles Laughton passed away on 15 December 1962, aged 63.

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He was one of the most successful and respected British actors during Hollywood’s Golden Age with an enviable filmography that will ensure his talents are remembered for a long time to come.