Acknowledged as perhaps the greatest stage actor, and admired screen actor, of his generation. Sir Laurence Olivier will forever be remembered as thequintessential English thespian.

His performances in such dramas as 'Hamlet' on stage and his film roles as Archie Rice in 'The Entertainer' and or as the eponymous hero in 'Henry V' were deemed as good as any performance the critics had witnessed. His work towards supporting the British theatre was ceaseless with one tangible monument to his endeavours being the National Theatre building along the Thames in London. Olivier was the epitome of the complete British actor and with his death a great loss was felt throughout the acting world.