Richard Burton 1925 - 1984

occupation:
Actor
Nationality:
Welsh
born in:
Neath, Neath and Port Talbot, Wales, United Kingdom

Born Richard Walter Jenkins Junior in Pontrhydyfen, South Wales, Richard Burton was a Welsh Actor. He was born into a Welsh-speaking mining family, the twelfth of thirteen children, and showed early promise as an actor and performer, including winning prizes at school and in Eisteddfodau.

He served in the RAF for three years, serving in Manitoba, Canada, and then at the hospital at RAF Wroughton (now the site of the Science Museum Group's Science and Innovation Park) before returning to acting, when he began a successful career in stage and screen. Famous for his Shakespearean performances on stage at theatres such as the Old Vic, he starred in a number of Hollywood classics, including Cleopatra (1963) with his future wife, Elizabeth Taylor. He was also famous for his work in radio, including on Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood, and The War of the Worlds.

Related Objects

Silver gelatin wirephoto print by the Associated Press, dated 21 June 1967. Printed caption on front reads: "Portofino, Italy, June 21 (AP) L/R: British actor Rex Harrison and his wife Rachel Roberts (back to camera) have a walk with Liz Taylor and her husband Richard Burton here last Monday. Couples are in this Riviera resort on a brief vacation. Miss Taylor walks on crutches after slipping on the deck of her yacht recently".

Elizabeth Taylor in Portofino
Silver gelatin wire photo by Keystone Press Agency, 21 October 1964, titled "Nude Statue of Liz Taylor in Paris". Printed caption on verso reads: "RICHARD BURTON seen as he kisses the nude statue of ELIZABETH TAYLOR, carved in California redwood - after it had arrived in Paris today - The statue, which is to be used in a film Miss Taylor is making in Paris - was brought from the U.S. in the liner Queen Mary".

Nude Statue of Liz Taylor in Paris
Silver gelatin print by The Sun, dated 14 October 1967. Image shows actors Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor disembarking their private jet at the RAF station in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, having flown in from Sardinia fir the Oxford premiere of their film, "Dr. Faustus". The newspaper cutting on verso mentions that the jet was a gift from Burton to his wife. They were met at the airfield by "20 photographers, 11 chauffeurs, four Rolls-Roycesa, and a quartet of Columbia Pictures employees".

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton arrive in UK on private jet
Silver gelatin wirephoto print by Bill Penn for the Associated Press, dated 11 January 1967. Image shows President Christophe Soglo of Dahomey, Lagos, escorting film stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton through the presidential palace. Taylor and Burton were in Dahomey to film "The Comedians".

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton with President Christophe Soglo of Lagos
Silver gelatin print by The Associated Press, titled "Liz Taylor in Ischia", 13 June 1962. Printed caption on verso reads: "Looking cool in a shoulderless dress and a close-fitting cap, Elizabeth Taylor sits in a helicopter as she arrives in the island of Ischia yesterday, June 13, from Rome. She and Richard Burton, her co-star in 'Cleopatra,' are in the island to film some exterior scenes for the mammoth picture".

Liz Taylor in Ischia
Silver gelatin print by United Press International, dated 10 September 1964. Hand-written ink caption on verso reads: "Carmel, California: Elizabeth Taylor drink from a bottle of beer during break in filming new movie 'The Sandpiper' in which she co-stars with husband Richard Burton."

Elizabeth Taylor drinking beer
Silver gelatin wirephoto print by the Associated Press, dated 3 May 1966. Image shows actress Elizabeth Taylor and her husband, actor Richard Burton, on the set of the film, "The Taming of the Shrew", in Rome.

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton filming "The Taming of the Shrew"
Silver gelatin print by United Press International, titled "Liz Dines with Burton", 7 April 1962. Printed caption on verso reads: "ROME: Film actress ELIZABETH TAYLOR, whose marriage to singer Eddie Fisher has broken up, leaving the restaurant in Via Veneto where she dined with Welsh actor Richard Burton last night. Uncomfirmed reports from Paris yesterday said that Burton is flying from Rome today to shoot further scenes for the film 'The Longest Day'. Reports, unconfirmed, said that Miss Taylor will accompany Burton to France".

Liz Dines with Burton
Silver gelatin print by Planet News Limited, titled "Carry on Cleo", 18 February 1962. Printed caption on verso reads: "Rome: Four months since shooting began, here, and 'Cleopatra' is still in the arms of Julius Caesar! Pictured during a scene fro the film are (from left to right) Richard Burton, as Mark Antony; Rex Harrison, as Caesar, and Elizabeth Taylor, as Cleopatra".

Carry on Cleo
Silver gelatin print by William Klein. Contact sheet showing actress Elizabeth Taylor in four different poses, including one where she is holding a Pekingese puppy. Colour versions of these photographs were used to illustrate Richard Burton's 1966 book, "Meeting Mrs. Jenkins" (London: William Morrow).

Four Portraits of Elizabeth Taylor
Silver gelatin wirephoto print by the United Press International, dated October 1966. Printed caption on front reads: "ROME -- Elizabeth Taylor and her husband actor Richard Burton holding the 'Silver Masks' awards they were given in Rome 10/4 evening - along with a large number of other personalities of the various show-business".

"Silver Mask" Awards

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