Contents
Richard Burton
Bringing a powerful Welsh voice to Shakespeare, cinema and dramatic leading roles.
Camelot · Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
- Born
- 10 November 1925
- Birthplace
- Pontrhydyfen, United Kingdom
- Died
- 5 August 1984
More people
Richard Burton
Richard Burton was a Welsh stage and film actor. His career ranged from classical theatre to Hollywood films, and his relationship with Elizabeth Taylor drew intense public attention.
Early life
Mining community
Grew up in a large Welsh-speaking family and was raised by his sister after his mother’s death.
Mentor
Teacher Philip Burton encouraged his acting and became an important parental figure.
Career
- 1940s–1950s
Stage and early films
Developed as a theatre actor before establishing a film career.
- 1960s
International stardom
Starred in Cleopatra, Becket and major screen dramas.
- 1970s–1984
Later performances
Continued film and stage work, including Equus and Nineteen Eighty-Four.
Selected work
Camelot
Played King Arthur in the Broadway musical, winning a Tony.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Starred opposite Elizabeth Taylor in the film adaptation.
Equus
Played psychiatrist Martin Dysart and received an Oscar nomination.
Beyond work
Reading and diaries
Was an avid reader and kept diaries later published after his death.
Elizabeth Taylor
Married and divorced the actor twice; they also made numerous films together.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Institutional source ↗Photo: Joop van Bilsen for Anefo. CC0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
