Richard Attenborough Biography
Richard Samuel Attenborough (1923 - 2014) was born in 1923 in Cambridge. He was the brother of the naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough. He subsequently attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) to study theatre. He made his film debut in 1942 with In Which We Serve, followed shortly thereafter by a breakthrough role as a young hood in Brighton Rock (1947). In the 1950s, Attenborough appeared in hit comedies for John and Roy Boulting. In the late 1950s, Attenborough formed a production company, Beaver Films, with Bryan Forbes and began producing projects. In 1967 and 1968, Attenborough won two Golden Globes for Best Supporting Actor. He would win another Globe for best director, for Gandhi, in 1983. He took no acting roles after 1978, until his appearance in Spielberg's Jurassic Park (1993). The following year he starred in the remake of Miracle on 34th Street. He has since appeared in supporting film roles. In 1967 he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). He was knighted in 1976 and in 1993 became a life peer as Baron Attenborough, of Richmond upon Thames. Lord Attenborough is also known for having collected many Picasso ceramics. In fact, the Attenborough family went to the south of France every year for holidays and had the opportunity to purchase these pieces. In 2005 over 140 examples of ceramics were exhibited at the New Walk Museum and Gallery in Leicester. The collection, accumulated over a 50-year period, features familiar Picasso themes such as Mediterranean scenes, still lifes and bullfights.
