Profile of the Day: Sir Alec Guinness

Alec Guinness

Today we remember actor Sir Alec Guinness, who passed away on this day 15 years ago.

He was born Alec Guinness de Cuffe on April 2, 1914 in England to Ann Cuff. Although the name of his father was left blank on his birth certificate, some believe his father was Andrew Geddes, a Scottish banker who paid for Guinness’s schooling.

During World War II, Guinness served with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. He operated a British Royal Navy landing craft, transporting British troops and supplies during the invasion of Sicily and Elba.

Guinness tackled a wide variety roles over his 60-year career, from the plays of Shakespeare to films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, and The Bridge on the River Kwai, for which he earned an Academy Award for Best Actor. Despite these notable roles, Guinness is perhaps best remembered today for the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars.

He died on August 5, 2000 from liver cancer at the age of 86. His wife of 62 years died of cancer two months later. The couple are buried together in Petersfield, Hampshire.

Explore Sir Alec Guinness’s family tree on Geni!
 

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Image: Allan Warren, Wikimedia Commons