Laurence Olivier

The illustrious Olivier dynasty is a renowned family of actors, writers, and directors spanning three centuries. They are led by the great Laurence Olivier, the renowned British stage and film actor whose delivery of William Shakespeare's lines was so natural it was truly remarkable. Born in Dorking, Surrey in 1907, he married Jill Esmond in 1930 and had a son, Tarquin, in 1936. His ancestor, a French Huguenot, was the source of the family name. Laurence's parents, Agnes Louise and Gerard Kerr Olivier, were both High Anglican priests. Laurence's brother, H.V. Esmond, was an actor and writer and his sister, Eva Moore, also an actor. His nephew David Plowright was a producer and his niece Sheila Burrell an actress. His grand-nephew, Richard Olivier, was a director and writer and his grand-niece, Julie Kate Olivier, an actress and production manager. Finally, the family is rounded off by Dame Joan Ann Plowright, Olivier's third wife and widow, who has had an illustrious career on stage and screen for six decades. The Olivier dynasty is a legacy that continues to inspire and entertain generations.