Sebastian Shaw, English actor, director, and playwright (b. 1905)
Sebastian Lewis Shaw (29 May 1905 – 23 December 1994) was an English actor, director, novelist, playwright and poet. During his 65-year career, he appeared in dozens of stage performances and more than 40 film and television productions.
Shaw was born and brought up in Holt, Norfolk, and made his acting debut at age eight at a London theatre. He studied acting at Gresham's School and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Although he worked primarily on the London stage, he made his Broadway debut in 1929, when he played one of the two murderers in Rope's End. He appeared in his first film, Caste, in 1930 and quickly began to create a name for himself in films. He described himself as a "rotten actor" as a youth and said his success was primarily due to his good looks. He claimed to mature as a performer only after returning from service in the Royal Air Force during World War II.
Shaw was particularly known for his performances in productions of Shakespeare plays which were considered daring and ahead of their time. In 1966, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he remained for a decade and delivered some of his most acclaimed performances. He also wrote several poems and a novel, The Christening, in 1975. In 1983, he appeared in the third installment of the original Star Wars Trilogy, Return of the Jedi, in a brief but significant role as the redeemed Anakin Skywalker, as well as Skywalker's ghost in the original 1983 theatrical release of the film.
1994Dec, 23
Sebastian Shaw (actor)
Choose Another Date
Events on 1994
- 14Mar
Linux kernel
Timeline of Linux development: Linux kernel version 1.0.0 is released. - 5May
Caning in Singapore
American teenager Michael P. Fay is caned in Singapore for theft and vandalism. - 6May
François Mitterrand
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and French President François Mitterrand officiate at the opening of the Channel Tunnel. - 18May
Palestinian National Authority
Israeli troops finish retreating from the Gaza Strip after occupying it, giving the area to the Palestine to govern. - 12Jun
O.J. Simpson
Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman are murdered outside Simpson's home in Los Angeles. Her estranged husband, O.J. Simpson is later charged with the murders, but is acquitted by a jury.