What happened to Rex Harrison? Height, Age, Salary, Measurements

Known for movies

Short Info

Died	June 2, 1990, New York City, New York, United States
Spouse	Mercia Tinker, Elizabeth Rees-Williams, Rachel Roberts, Kay Kendall, Lilli Palmer, Noel Marjorie Collette Thomas
Mark	A clipped, witty, off-the-cuff line delivery
Fact	Twice appeared with fellow Academy Award winner Claudette Colbert late in their careers in Broadway productions; "The Kingfisher" by William Douglas-Home opening at the Biltmore Theatre on December 16, 1978 running for 181 performances and "Aren't We All" by Frederick Lonsdale opening at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on April 2, 1985 running for 93 performances.
Payments	Earned $250,000 from The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965)

Rex Harrison was an English actor who won the Academy Award for Best Actor in My Fair Lady. He is also known for his roles in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Cleopatra, and Doctor Dolittle.

Harrison was born in Huyton, Lancashire, on March 5, 1908. His parents were Edith Mary (née Bradley) and William Reginald Harrison. He had two sisters, Gladys and Louise. Harrison’s father was an engineer and his mother was a homemaker. He was educated at Liverpool College.

Harrison’s first acting role was in a school play. He later joined the Liverpool Repertory Theatre. His first professional role was in a touring production of Outward Bound. He later appeared in London’s West End in a production of The Circle.

Harrison’s film debut was in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947). He later appeared in Cleopatra (1963), Doctor Dolittle (1967), and My Fair Lady (1964). He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in My Fair Lady.

Harrison was married six times. His first wife was Lilli Palmer. His second wife was Rachel Roberts. His third wife was Kay Kendall. His fourth wife was Elizabeth Rees-Williams. His fifth wife was Mercia Tinker. His sixth and final wife was Sheila Sim. He had three children: Carey Harrison, Noel Harrison, and Julie Harrison.

Harrison died of cancer on June 2, 1990, at his home in London, England. He was 82 years old.

General Info

Full Name	Rex Harrison
Died	June 2, 1990, New York City, New York, United States
Height	1.85 m
Profession	Actor
Education	Liverpool College
Nationality	British

Family

Spouse	Mercia Tinker, Elizabeth Rees-Williams, Rachel Roberts, Kay Kendall, Lilli Palmer, Noel Marjorie Collette Thomas
Children	Noel Harrison, Carey Harrison
Parents	William Reginald Harrison, Edith Mary

Accomplishments

Awards	Academy Award for Best Actor, Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, Tony Award for Best Lead Actor in a Play, Tony Award for Best Lead Actor in a Musical, National Board of Review Award for Best Actor, David di Donatello for Best Foreign Actor, Special Tony Award, G...
Nominations	Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture – Drama, Golden Globe Henrietta Award for World Film Favorites, BAFTA Award for Best British Actor, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play, Laurence Olivier Award for Actor of the Year in a Revival
Movies	My Fair Lady, Cleopatra, Doctor Dolittle, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, The Agony and the Ecstasy, Anna and the King of Siam, Blithe Spirit, Unfaithfully Yours, Midnight Lace, Night Train to Munich, The Honey Pot, The Reluctant Debutante, The Yellow Rolls-Royce, Major Barbara, Storm in a Teacup, King Ric...

Social profile links

IMDB	http://imdb.com/name/nm0001322

Marks

#	Marks / Signs
1	The role of Professor Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady"
2	A clipped, witty, off-the-cuff line delivery
3	Adopted his "Henry Higgins" hat as his favorite form of headwear

Salary

Title	Salary
The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965)	$250,000
My Fair Lady (1964)	$250,000
Cleopatra (1963)	$300,000
Anna and the King of Siam (1946)	$4,000 /week

Quotes

#	Quote
1	Lana Turner is to an evening gown what Frank Lloyd Wright is to a pile of lumber.
2	His reply to how he felt being Knighted by the Queen on July 25th 1989: It was a marvelous moment kneeling there and getting tapped on the shoulder.
3	Originally I had a block about appearing in a musical. I went to a voice teacher for a while, but that did no good. My range is about one and a half notes. I ended up talking the musical numbers, which was revolutionary at the time. The lyrics are extremely intricate. They move along like a precisely acted scene. If you miss a word - heaven help you - the orchestra rattles past like an express train, and you've got to run like the devil to catch up.
4	My contract for 'My Fair Lady' was for nine months only - but how could you leave a show like that? It was all far too exciting, and I stayed with it for two years.
5	The important thing is to learn through experience. The more you do the more you learn. I don't think anyone can teach acting from a podium.
6	Eliza Doolittle is supposed to be ill at ease in European ballrooms. Bloody Audrey has never spent a day in her life out of European ballrooms. - On My Fair Lady (1964)
7	Heston is an enormously tall man - if I'm six foot one, he must be about six foot three - and I asked my wardrobe man, as I was wearing long robes, to put a little lift in my shoes, so that I could gain a couple of inches, and meet Heston at his own level. The lifts were duly put in, and I eyed Heston and congratulated myself that at least he no longer towered above me. As the film went on, however, it seemed to me that he was growing. Eyeball to eyeball he was once more a couple of inches taller than I. I looked down at his feet - not a sign of lifts! He must have grown through sheer tenacity. Nether of us made any comment, nor did our wardrobe men - it was a very funny, silent contest. - On making The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965) with Charlton Heston
8	Wives are like gilt-edged stocks. The more you have, the greater your dividends.
9	[1980]: I'm now at the age where I've got to prove that I'm just as good as I never was.
10	It takes a long time to learn to treat the camera as a friend and confidant, which finally you have to do if you're to become a good film actor.
11	[Rex's son, Noel Harrison, recalling sitting watching a storm with his father and Rex exclaiming this when a bolt of lightning obliterated a tree in their yard]: Well hit, God!
12	by Rachel Roberts, Harrison's fourth wife]: Rex cannot be pleased. Servants have got slapped with his tongue or hand. Eventually his servants and wives leave him. Rex is one of those who thinks living well is the best revenge. It may be, but the revenge is taken out on his nearest and dearest.
13	[After viewing The Sound of Music (1965)]: That was the only time I've ever rooted for the Nazis.
14	Whatever it is that makes a person charming, it needs to remain a mystery once the charmer is aware of a mannerism or characteristic that others find charming, it ceases to be a mannerism and becomes an affectation. And good Lord, there is nothing less charming than affectations!
15	When I was ten we moved and I decided that none of the names I was then called - Reggie, Bobby, Baa - suited me. Somehow I hit on Rex. I must have heard someone calling for their dog and thought it sounded rather nice.
16	Exhilaration is that feeling you get just after a great idea hits you, and just before you realize what's wrong with it.
17	There is always a struggle, a striving for something bigger than yourself in all forms of art. And even if you don't achieve greatness, even if you fail, which we all must, everything you do in your work is somehow connected with your attitude toward life, your deepest secret feelings.
18	[When asked if he received any special privileges upon becoming a knight]: Alas, no. In the old days I believe you at least got a couple of horses out of the deal.

Facts

#	Fact
1	He starred in two films that almost ruined Twentieth Century Fox - Cleopatra (1963) and Doctor Dolittle (1967). The latter effectively destroyed his careers as a leading man.
2	He also starred in a play at the Santa Monica Playhouse in the 1980's.
3	He was awarded Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 1989 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to drama.
4	Twice appeared with fellow Academy Award winner Claudette Colbert late in their careers in Broadway productions; "The Kingfisher" by William Douglas-Home opening at the Biltmore Theatre on December 16, 1978 running for 181 performances and "Aren't We All" by Frederick Lonsdale opening at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on April 2, 1985 running for 93 performances.
5	First came to notice in the London stage version of "French Without Tears" in 1937, but was not considered for the 1940 film version since he was unknown in Hollywood.
6	Contrary to some sources, Harrison was never considered to play James Bond in Dr. No (1962) because of his age.
7	Harrison nearly missed out on reprising his stage role of Henry Higgins in the film version of My Fair Lady (1964), since he was in his mid-fifties and the character was supposed to be in his late thirties.
8	Continued to act on Broadway until almost the very end of his life despite suffering from pancreatic cancer, painful teeth and glaucoma in his only eye.
9	Quit smoking after suffering from pains in his legs.
10	He never had any acting lessons.
11	Retired from films after making The Fifth Musketeer (1979), but continued to act on Broadway and television.
12	In a 1963 interview his friend Dirk Bogarde named Harrison as the actor who had influenced him most.
13	Won a 1969 Special Tony Award (New York City).
14	He was reportedly considered for the role of Nicholas II in Nicholas and Alexandra (1971). However, a recent biography of producer Sam Spiegel revealed that Harrison was in fact never offered the part, since at 63 he was too old to play the Tsar, who was only fifty at the time of his death. Harrison was in fact offered the role of Count Witte, but replied, "Tell him [Spiegel] that I don't play bit parts.".
15	When filming Doctor Dolittle (1967), was frequently bitten by the animals.
16	Chuck Jones has stated that Bugs Bunny's character was based on an amalgam of Rex Harrison, Dorothy Parker and D'Artagnan.
17	His first name [Rex] means 'King' in Latin.
18	He was the brother-in-law of David Maxwell Fyfe, one of the prosecutors at the Nuremberg Trials, the British Home Secretary from 1951 to 1954 and the Lord Chancellor from 1954 to 1962.
19	Discovered Carole Landis' body the day she committed suicide. He had dined with her the previous night.
20	He had a reputation for being very abrupt with his fans. One night, after a stage performance of "My Fair Lady", it was late, cold and pouring with rain and there was an old woman standing alone outside the Stage Door. When she saw Rex, she asked him for his autograph. Rex told her to "Sod off", and the old woman was so enraged at this that she rolled up her program and hit him with it. Stanley Holloway, who had followed Rex out in time to see this, congratulated him on not only making theater history but, for the first time in world history, "the fan has hit the shit!".
21	Despite extensive vocal training after landing the part of Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady (1964), he was unable to sing a note. In the end the director gave up and told him to quasi-speak the whole thing.
22	One of only eight actors to have won both a Tony and an Oscar for having portrayed the same role on stage and screen ("My Fair Lady"). The others are: Joel Grey ("Cabaret"); Shirley Booth ("Come Back, Little Sheba"); Yul Brynner ("The King and I"); Anne Bancroft ("The Miracle Worker"); Paul Scofield ("A Man For All Seasons"); Jack Albertson ("The Subject Was Roses") and José Ferrer ("Cyrano de Bergerac").
23	Is the basis for the voice of Stewie Griffin on Family Guy (1999).
24	When he accepted his Academy Award for My Fair Lady (1964), he dedicated it to his "two fair ladies", Audrey Hepburn and Julie Andrews. Andrews had played Eliza Doolittle in the Broadway production, but was passed over for the film version in favor of Hepburn.
25	Turned down the lead role in 13 Rue Madeleine (1946). It then went to James Cagney.
26	Once punched Frank Sinatra in the jaw, thinking the singer was hitting on his wife, Lilli Palmer. Afterwards the two men became good friends.
27	Turned down the role of the Prince in the Broadway production of Noël Coward's "The Girl Who Came To Supper" in order to do My Fair Lady (1964). The role went to José Ferrer.
28	Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II of England at the age of 81. [1989]
29	Member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1965.
30	Won three Tony Awards: in 1949, as Best Actor (Dramatic) for "Anne of the Thousand Days"; in 1957, as Best Actor (Musical) for "My Fair Lady", which he recreated in an Oscar-winning performance in the film version of the same title, My Fair Lady (1964) and a Special Tony Award in 1969. He was also nominated in 1984 as Best Actor (Play) for his role as Capt. Shotover in George Bernard Shaw's "Heartbreak House".
31	Was cremated and part of his ashes were scattered in Italy in Portofino and on the grave of his second wife, Lilli Palmer.
32	Grandfather of Cathryn Harrison, Harriet Harrison, Simon Harrison, Chloe Harrison and Will Harrison.
33	Father, with Collette Thomas, of actor Noel Harrison.
34	Father, with Lilli Palmer, of Carey Harrison, born in 1944.
35	Has a style of hat named after him.
36	Was almost completely blind in one eye as the result of a childhood bout of measles.
37	Frequently wore a specific ring with a dark square-cut stone, on his little finger of his left hand. It appears in almost all of his films.
38	Was so fanatical about wine that he often sent the bottles back if it was not to his liking, sometimes even to his own wine cellar.
39	Died three weeks after his final stage appearance as Lord Porteous in "The Circle" (1990).
40	Turned down the role of The King in The King and I (1956). The role went to Yul Brynner. He previously played the role in Anna and the King of Siam (1946).
41	Hated the nickname given to him by the press, "Sexy Rexy".
42	Winner of 2 Tony Awards for Best actor for "Anne of the Thousand Days" and "My Fair Lady".

Pictures

All pictures

Movies

Actor

Title	Year	Status	Character
Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna	1986	TV Movie	Grand Duke Cyril Romanov
Great Performances	1985	TV Series	Captain Shotover
The Kingfisher	1983	TV Movie	Cecil
A Time to Die	1982		Van Osten
Titanic in a Tub: The Golden Age of Toy Boats	1981	Short	Narrator (voice)
The Fifth Musketeer	1979		Colbert
Ashanti	1979		Brian Walker
Shalimar	1978		Sir John Locksley
Crossed Swords	1977		The Duke of Norfolk
BBC Play of the Month	1971-1973	TV Series	Don Quixote Mikhail Platonov, schoolmaster
Staircase	1969		Charles Dyer
A Flea in Her Ear	1968		Victor Chandebisse / Poche
Doctor Dolittle	1967		Dr. John Dolittle
The Honey Pot	1967		Cecil Sheridan Fox
The Agony and the Ecstasy	1965		Pope Julius II
The Yellow Rolls-Royce	1964		Lord Charles Frinton - The Marquess of Frinton
My Fair Lady	1964		Professor Henry Higgins
Cleopatra	1963		Julius Caesar
The Happy Thieves	1961		Jimmy Bourne
Midnight Lace	1960		Anthony Preston
Dow Hour of Great Mysteries	1960	TV Series	Cyril Paxton
Startime	1960	TV Series	Fred Cortin
The Reluctant Debutante	1958		Jimmy Broadbent
The DuPont Show of the Month	1957	TV Series	Mr. Sir
Marriage a la Mode	1955		The Patient - Charles Hathaway
King Richard and the Crusaders	1954		Emir Hderim Sultan Saladin
The United States Steel Hour	1953	TV Series	Raymond Dabney
Main Street to Broadway	1953		Rex Harrison
This Is London	1953	Short	Narrator (voice)
Omnibus	1952	TV Series	Henry VIII
The Four Poster	1952		John Edwards
The Long Dark Hall	1951		Arthur Groome
The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre	1950	TV Series
Unfaithfully Yours	1948		Sir Alfred De Carter
Escape	1948		Matt Denant
The Foxes of Harrow	1947		Stephen Fox
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir	1947		Capt. Daniel Gregg
Anna and the King of Siam	1946		King Mongkut
Notorious Gentleman	1945		Vivian Kenway
Journey Together	1945		Guest (uncredited)
A Yank in London	1945		Major David Bruce
Blithe Spirit	1945		Charles Condomine
Major Barbara	1941		Adolphus Cusins
Night Train to Munich	1940		Dickie Randall a.k.a. Gus Bennett
Ten Days in Paris	1940		Bob Stevens
Continental Express	1939		Jacques Sauvin
Over the Moon	1939		Dr. Freddie Jarvis
Villa for Sale	1938	TV Short
The Citadel	1938		Dr. Lawford
Sidewalks of London	1938		Harley Prentiss
School for Husbands	1937		Leonard Drummond
Storm in a Teacup	1937		Frank Burdon
Men Are Not Gods	1936		Tommy
All at Sea	1936		Aubrey Bellingham
Leave It to Blanche	1934		Ronnie
Get Your Man	1934		Tom Jakes
School for Scandal	1930		Bit Part (uncredited)
The Great Game	1930		George

Soundtrack

Title	Year	Status
20 to 1	2011	TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Here's Looking at You, Warner Bros.	1991	TV Movie documentary performer: "The Rain in Spain" - uncredited
Doctor Dolittle	1967	performer: "The Vegetarian", "Talk To The Animals", "When I Look In Your Eyes", "Like Animals", "Fabulous Places", "I Think I Like You"
My Fair Lady	1964	performer: "Why Can't the English?" 1956, "I'm an Ordinary Man" 1956, "The Rain in Spain" 1956, "You Did It" 1956, "A Hymn to Him Why Can't a Woman Be More Like a Man" 1956, "Without You" 1956, "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" 1956 - uncredited
The Fabulous Fifties	1960	Documentary performer: "I'm An Ordinary Man"
Night Train to Munich	1940	"If I Could Be with You One Hour Tonight" / performer: "Only Love Can Lead the Way" uncredited, "It's True" uncredited, "Your Heart Skips a Beat"

Producer

Title	Year	Status	Character
The Long Dark Hall	1951	associate producer

Thanks

Title	Year	Status	Character
Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood	2001	TV Movie documentary dedicated to the memory of

Self

Title	Year	Status	Character
Love, Marilyn	2012	Documentary	Julius Caesar (uncredited)
The Evening Standard Drama Awards	1988	TV Special	Himself
The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts	1985	TV Special	Himself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson	1985	TV Series	Himself
The 39th Annual Tony Awards	1985	TV Special	Himself - Presenter: Best Actress in a Play
The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts	1981	TV Special documentary	Himself - Presenter: Cary Grant
Frank Sinatra: The Main Event	1974	TV Movie documentary	Himself - Audience Member (uncredited)
Rex Harrison Presents Stories of Love	1974	TV Movie	Himself - Host
The 27th Annual Tony Awards	1973	TV Special	Himself - Co-Host
V.I.P.-Schaukel	1971	TV Series documentary	Himself
The David Frost Show	1969	TV Series	Himself
The 23rd Annual Tony Awards	1969	TV Special	Himself - Winner: Special Award
Today	1968	TV Series	Himself
The Joey Bishop Show	1967	TV Series	Himself
Cinema	1967	TV Series documentary	Himself
Hollywood Talent Scouts	1966	TV Series	Himself
The 38th Annual Academy Awards	1966	TV Special	Himself - Presenter: Best Actress in a Leading Role
Flashes Festival	1965	Documentary short	Himself
The 37th Annual Academy Awards	1965	TV Special	Himself - Winner: Best Actor in a Leading Role & Presenter: Best Foreign Language Film
The Ed Sullivan Show	1952-1964	TV Series	Himself
The Fairest Fair Lady	1964	Documentary short	Himself
The Fabulous Fifties	1960	Documentary
The 11th Annual Tony Awards	1957	TV Special	Himself - Winner: Distinguished Musical Actor
Person to Person	1954	TV Series documentary	Himself - Actor
The Kate Smith Evening Hour	1951	TV Series	Himself
The Colgate Comedy Hour	1951	TV Series	Himself / Himself - Actor
The Saturday Night Revue with Jack Carter	1951	TV Series	Himself
Your Show of Shows	1950	TV Series	Himself - Guest Performer
On Stage!	1949	Documentary short	Himself

Archive Footage

Title	Year	Status	Character
Charmed Lives: A Family Romance		Documentary pre-production	Himself
The Simpsons	2015	TV Series	Dr. John Dolittle
Michael Grade's Stars of the Musical Theatre	2014	TV Movie documentary
Secret Voices of Hollywood	2013	TV Movie documentary	Himself
Casting By	2012	Documentary	Himself
Dai nostri inviati: La Rai e l'Istituto Luce raccontano la Mostra del cinema di Venezia 1932-1953	2012	TV Movie documentary	Himself
20 to 1	2010	TV Series documentary	Professor Henry Higgins
Hollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History - 1960's	2009	Video documentary	Himself
Family Guy: Creating the Chaos	2009	TV Movie documentary	Himself
The Naked Archaeologist	2008	TV Series documentary	Pope Julius II
Broadway: The American Musical	2004	TV Mini-Series documentary	Himself / Professor Henry Higgins (in 'My Fair Lady')
Ça c'est l'amour	2003	Video short	Himself
Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood	2001	TV Movie documentary	Himself
Omnibus	2001	TV Series documentary	Himself
Sir John Mills' Moving Memories	2000	Video documentary	Himself
Twentieth Century Fox: The Blockbuster Years	2000	TV Movie documentary	Dr. John Dolittle
Biography	1995-1998	TV Series documentary	Himself / Actor 'Unfaithfully Yours'
The 50th Annual Tony Awards	1996	TV Special	Henry Higgins
The Making of 'My Fair Lady'	1995	Video documentary	Himself / Professor Henry Higgins
'Doctor Zhivago': The Making of a Russian Epic	1995	TV Special documentary	Himself (uncredited)
Margret Dünser, auf der Suche nach den Besonderen	1981	TV Movie documentary	Himself
Bob Hope's World of Comedy	1976	TV Movie	Himself
Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television	1975	TV Special	Himself
Fred Astaire Salutes the Fox Musicals	1974	TV Movie	Himself
The Ed Sullivan Show	1965-1967	TV Series	Dr. Doolittle / Himself - Actor
Mondo Hollywood	1967	Documentary	Himself (uncredited)
The Car That Became a Star	1965	Documentary short	The Marquess of Frinton
Zwischen Glück und Krone	1959	Documentary	Himself

Awards

Won Awards

Year	Award	Ceremony	Nomination	Movie
1965	Golden Laurel	Laurel Awards	Musical Performance, Male	My Fair Lady (1964)
1965	Oscar	Academy Awards, USA	Best Actor in a Leading Role	My Fair Lady (1964)
1965	Golden Globe	Golden Globes, USA	Best Actor - Comedy or Musical	My Fair Lady (1964)
1965	David	David di Donatello Awards	Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero)	My Fair Lady (1964)
1964	NYFCC Award	New York Film Critics Circle Awards	Best Actor	My Fair Lady (1964)
1963	NBR Award	National Board of Review, USA	Best Actor	Cleopatra (1963)
1960	Star on the Walk of Fame	Walk of Fame	Motion Picture	On 8 February 1960. At 6904 Hollywood Blvd.
1960	Star on the Walk of Fame	Walk of Fame	Television	On 8 February 1960. At 6390 Hollywood Blvd.

Nominated Awards

Year	Award	Ceremony	Nomination	Movie
1968	Golden Globe	Golden Globes, USA	Best Actor - Comedy or Musical	Doctor Dolittle (1967)
1966	Golden Globe	Golden Globes, USA	Best Actor - Drama	The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965)
1966	Henrietta Award	Golden Globes, USA	World Film Favorite - Male
1966	BAFTA Film Award	BAFTA Awards	Best British Actor	My Fair Lady (1964)
1966	Golden Laurel	Laurel Awards	Male Star	10th place.
1966	Golden Laurel	Laurel Awards	Dramatic Performance, Male	The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965)
1965	Golden Laurel	Laurel Awards	Male Star	4th place.
1964	Oscar	Academy Awards, USA	Best Actor in a Leading Role	Cleopatra (1963)
1964	Golden Globe	Golden Globes, USA	Best Actor - Drama	Cleopatra (1963)