Fabulous Photographs of Actor and Director Richard Attenborough

"I believe we need heroes...we need certain people who we can measure our own shortcomings by."

Richard Attenborough – 1945.

Born on August 29, 1923, in Cambridge, England, Richard Attenborough went on to pursue an acting career, known for Brighton Rock (1948), British military dramas and The Great Escape. One of his two younger brothers, David Attenborough, would become the world-famous naturalist while his other brother John, became an executive at Alfa Romeo. He was married to actress Sheila Sim from 1945 until his death.

Attenborough made his film directorial debut with the satirical Oh! What a Lovely War. He eventually went on to direct Gandhi, for which he won Oscars for best director and best picture. In recent years, Attenborough continued his acting work but directed other films, including Cry Freedom, Chaplin and Shadowlands. He died on August 24, 2014 at the age of 90.

Sir Richard Attenborough at the 2006 South Bank Show Awards which were held at the Savoy in London. He was presented the award for the Outstanding category by Sir Ian McKellen

Richard Attenborough and Sheila Sim

On the set of ‘The Last Grenade’ at Shepperton Studios, Surrey, in 1969. In the back ground, left, are actors Stanley Baker and Honor Blackman

Richard Attenborough plays marbles with some of the cast during a break from filming The Guinea Pig at Elstree Studios, April 1948

Brighton Rock with Carol Marsh

Only Two Can Play – Richard Attenborough and Peter Sellers. 1962

1942 In Which We Serve

Richard Attenborough and Sheila Sim laugh in The Guinea Pig (1948)

DAVID TOMLINSON LANA MORRIS & RICHARD ATTENBOROUGH SCHOOL FOR SECRETS (1946)

Richard Attenborough

Guns at Batasi (1964)

Brighton Rock (1948)

Brighton Rock with Carol Marsh

Brighton Rock

Richard Attenborough at his home in Chelsea, London, 1948

On the set of Brighton Rock with director John Boulting 1948

Richard Attenborough and his wife Sheila Sim of three years signing autographs, 1948.

Richard Attenborough and his wife Sheila Sim of three years signing autographs, 1948.

 

Richard Attenborough gives his wife earrings as a first night present ahead of 'The Mousetrap' opening at The Ambassadors Theatre, 1952.

Giving his wife, Sheila Sim, earrings as a first night present ahead of ‘The Mousetrap’ opening at The Ambassadors Theatre, 1952.

 

Hermione Gingold, Richard Attenborough and Alfred Marks recording the BBC radio show 'Home at Eight', 1952.

With Hermione Gingold and Alfred Marks recording the BBC radio show ‘Home at Eight’, 1952.

 

Richard Attenborough and Jean Carson rehearsing 'Stars at Midnight' at the Palladium, May 1953.

With Jean Carson rehearsing ‘Stars at Midnight’ at the Palladium, May 1953.

 

Thora Hird, Janette Scott, Richard Attenborough and Sheila Sim at London Airport (later Heathrow) ready to fly to the Uruguay Film Festival, 1955.

With Thora Hird, Janette Scott, and Sheila Sim at London Airport (later Heathrow) ready to fly to the Uruguay Film Festival, 1955.

 

Richard Attenborough, Jill Adams and Ian Carmichael during a break from filming from Privates Progress at Shepperton Studios, September 1955.

With Jill Adams and Ian Carmichael during a break from filming from Privates Progress at Shepperton Studios, September 1955.

 

Speaking in support of the resolution affirming “the right of members of Equity to perform with and before all peoples regardless of race, colour or creed, and condemns any discrimination against fellow-artists on these grounds. Apollo Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue, London. 3/4/1960

 

Richard Attenborough admiring Britt Ekland's engagement ring from Peter Sellers. 1964.

Admiring Britt Ekland’s engagement ring from Peter Sellers. 1964.

 

 Robin Tolhurst, Sadie Cole and Margaret Bass line up at the Berlei Foundation Garment Factory in Slough to pose with Richard Attenborough, as he begins filming The Bliss of Mrs Blossom. He plays a brassiere manufacturer with an ambition to create an inflatable universal bra, 1967.

Robin Tolhurst, Sadie Cole and Margaret Bass line up at the Berlei Foundation Garment Factory in Slough to pose with Richard Attenborough, as he begins filming The Bliss of Mrs Blossom. He plays a brassiere manufacturer with an ambition to create an inflatable universal bra, 1967.

 

Richard Attenborough, centre, in the chief role of mass-murderer John Reginald Christie, in the film "10 Rillington Place", in London, England, May 17, 1970. British actor John Hurt, right, plays Timothy John Evans and British actress Judy Geeson plays Mrs. Evans. (AP Photo/Staff/Dear).

In the chief role of mass-murderer John Reginald Christie, in the film “10 Rillington Place”, in London, England, May 17, 1970. British actor John Hurt, right, plays Timothy John Evans and British actress Judy Geeson plays Mrs. Evans. (AP Photo/Staff/Dear).

 

Richard Attenborough, 52, the film worlds newest knight, reads the message of congratulation today in the drawing room of his Richmond Green home. With him are his wife Sheila and daughters Charlotte, 16 (left), and Jane, 20. 1976.

The film world’s newest knight, reads the message of congratulation today in the drawing room of his Richmond Green home. With him are his wife Sheila and daughters Charlotte, 16 (left), and Jane, 20. 1976.

 

Sir Richard Attenborough holds his two Oscars for his epic movie "Gandhi" at the 55th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Ca., Monday, April 11, 1983. Attenborough won the best director and best picture awards. (AP Photo)

Holding his two Oscars for his epic movie “Gandhi” at the 55th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Ca., Monday, April 11, 1983.

 

Mrs. Shirley Willaims, President of the Social Democratic Party, appears to be receiving support from the stars at SDP headquaters today. L-R: Simon Cadell, Robert Powell, Steve Race, Barry Cryer, Denis Quilley, Sir Richard Attenborough and Bamber Gascoigne. 11/5/1983

Mrs. Shirley Willaims, President of the Social Democratic Party, appears to be receiving support from the stars at SDP headquaters today. L-R: Simon Cadell, Robert Powell, Steve Race, Barry Cryer, Denis Quilley, Sir Richard Attenborough and Bamber Gascoigne. 11/5/1983

 

The cast for "A Chorus Line: surround director Sir Richard Attenborough after rehearsal in New York City on Monday, Aug. 7, 1984. The 16 dancers were chosen from the more than 3,000 people who auditioned. (AP Photo/Nancy Kaye)

Surrounded by the cast for “A Chorus Line” after rehearsal in New York City on Monday, Aug. 7, 1984. The 16 dancers were chosen from the more than 3,000 people who auditioned. (AP Photo/Nancy Kaye)

 

With his film actor-director brother Sir Richard Attenborough with the double portrait of them unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery in London today. The oil painting by Norfolk artist Ivy Smith. 1990.

 

Steven Spielberg and Richard Attenborough at the Premiere for Jurassic Park, 1993.

With Steven Spielberg at the Premiere for Jurassic Park, 1993.

 

Richard Attenborough at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea v Wigan Athletic, 2007.

At Stamford Bridge for Chelsea v Wigan Athletic, 2007.

 

Signing copies of his autobiography, ‘Entirely Up To You, Darling’ at Waterstone’s bookshop in London’s Piccadilly. 2008.

 

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