One of the final film performances by Laurence Olivier, considered among the greatest actors of all time, was playing the god Zeus in the campy1981 fantasy film Clash of the Titans.
But Olivier is far from the only respected actor to appear in such films.
In fact, acclaimed thespians, often British, have a long history of taking roles in fantasy films, frequently as wizards and elderly “mentor” characters that require an element of gravitas.
Some are obvious: Ian Holm, Ian McKellen, and others in The Lord of the Rings movies. And in her movie deal with Warner Brothers, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling famously insisted that the producers cast only British and Irish actors in the major roles — a demand that has kept respected, but relatively unknown actors such as Alan Rickman, Imelda Staunton, Fiona Shaw, David Thewlis, and Jim Broadbent gainfully employed for years (and given them entirely new fan-bases to boot!).
Sometimes the fantasy movies these actors do are good, and the performances impressive. Other times? Well, many of the actors themselves have admitted doing the roles solely for the money.
Here’s a sampling:
- Olivier’s widow, Joan Plowright, another extremely respected actor, played Aunt Lucinda in 2008’s The Spiderwick Chronicles.
- In addition to playing Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter movies, two-time Oscar winner Maggie Smith played Mrs. Medlock in the 1993 version of The Secret Garden, Granny Wendy in 1991’s Hook, and, like Olivier, had a role in Clash of the Titans.
- James Earl Jones starred in 1982’s Conan the Barbarian.
Jeremy Irons has chewed the scenery appeared in many fantasy films, including 2000’s Dungeons & Dragons and 2006’s Eragon.
- Five-time Tony winner, three-time Oscar nominee, and 18-time Emmy nominee Angela Lansbury appeared in 1971’s Bednobs and Broomsticks (in addition to doing voicework in 1991’s animated Disney film Beauty and the Beast).
- Fred Astaire’s last film role was the 1981 ghost story Ghost Story — a movie that also starred respected actors Melvyn Douglas, John Houseman, Patricia Neal, and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. (the last of whom also starred in 1947’s Sinbad the Sailor).
- John Gielgud, the only British actor to win a Tony, an Emmy, an Oscar, and a Grammy, starred in 1981’s Sphinx, 1995’s First Knight, and did voice-work in Dragonheart and The Magic Sword: Quest for Camelot.
- Fifteen-time Oscar nominee Meryl Streep appeared as Aunt Josephine in 2004’s Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (and also in the under-rated 1992 black comedy Death Becomes Her).
- Helen Mirren had a major role earlier this year as Elinor in the movie adaptation of Inkheart. Mirren also had roles in National Treasure: Book of Secrets, 1981’s Excalibur, and the infamous sexually explicit 1979 film Caligula (with also starred Gielgud).
- Speaking of Excalibur, it starred many respected British actors, including up-and-comers Liam Neeson and Patrick Stewart.
- By the time he appeared as the wizard Ulrich of Craggenmoorin in 1981’s Dragonslayer, Ralph Richardson was considered one of Britain’s finest stage actors, having frequently worked with his friends Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud. In film, he also appeared in Time Bandits (as the Supreme Being) and Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan of the Apes.
- Katherine Hepburn won an Oscar for the 1968 fantasy-esque film The Lion in Winter, and also starred in 1971’s The Trojan Women.
- Jean Marsh, star of Britain’s Upstairs Downstairs, played the evil queen Bavmorda in the 1988 film Willow.
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I’m not sure Mrs Medlock counts as fantasy does it? I dont remember there being anything fantastical, but it’s been a long time since I read the book.
And don’t forget Gielgud’s amazing performance as Prospero in the dazzling Greenaway film “Prospero’s Books”.
What is “fantasy-esque” about The Lion in Winter? I’ve seen the movie a few times and there is nothing fantastical in the film.
Good list, by the way.
I agree it’s a stretch, but as we say in our site description, we sometimes include “some projects involving history-based adventure and/or palace intrigue.”
Mostly it’s an excuse to include Katherine Hepburn.
In that case, you could have included Suddenly, Last Summer. It would fit the bill too. I must say that The Lion in Winter is one of my favorite movies along with Suddenly, Last Summer.
Oh, and Jean Marsh also played Princess Mombi in Return to Oz and was a “witch” in an adaptation of Christie’s The Pale Horse.
Ever seen SUMMERTIME? That’s my favorite Hepburn flick.
I haven’t, I’ll have to check it out.
I was over at George R.R. Martin’s blog and he’s got more news for the A Game of Thrones pilot.
Jean Marsh’s Princess Mombi—especially the Hall of Heads scene!—seriously screwed me up as a kid. It was just delicious.
“WHERE’S MY POWDER OF LIFE?!”
The deliberate anachronism of including Victorian-era Christmas customs in a 12th century story makes The Lion in Winter “fantasy-esque” enough for me.
No mention, though, of “Sleepy Hollow” and its amazing cast?
Very strange and insular to call such people as Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw and Jim Broadbent “relatively unknown’. Maybe in America but not in Britain. Rather insulting in fact. Their theatre work is very well known.
Alas, I think it’s a mere statement of fact. The vast majority of Americans (and, I suspect, Britains too) are not familiar with actors known primarily their for stage work (Rickman and Broadbent are, of course, known for their film work, but mostly as character actors).
Then again, I don’t think that it’s an insult to acknowledge that an actor is not known on a first-name basis by most people. The job of a “celebrity” is very different than that of “actor.”
There’s a great gap between “household name” and “unknown” and lots of places for celebrities to fall in-between.
While I’m willing to admit Alan Rickman’s name might not roll off every American tongue, “Die Hard” and “Sense and Sensibility” were not exactly small movies! Broadbent won an Oscar in 2001. How exactly do you define unknown?
Not trying to be annoying, but it sometimes depresses us non-Americans to see such almost throwaway comments.
Let’s not forget Alan Rickman’s Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood:Prince of Theives. Best portrayal of the Sheriff ever!!
“some projects involving history-based adventure and/or palace intrigue.”
Sweet, then I’m adding Sir Anthony Hopkins in TITUS!
Well, if “The Lion in Winter” counts, then Anthony Hopkins is already included!
Oh, I love this post. Incidentally, my first exposure to Jean Marsh was Willow, and I vividly remember her fabulous performance gaving me nightmares.
Angela Lansbury also did voice work for the film version of The Last Unicorn (as did Christopher Lee and Rene Auberjonois.)
Is the omission of the legendary Max Von Sydow from Conan the Barbarian deliberate, or an oversight? I certainly think he deserves a mention.