Charles Laughton

Date of Birth: 1 July, 1899

Place of Birth: Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, U.K.

Date of Death: 15 December, 1962

Place of Death: Hollywood, California, U.S.

Ethnicity:
*English (father)
*Irish (mother)

Charles Laughton was a British actor and director. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933). His roles also included the films The Barretts of Wimpole Street, Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), Ruggles of Red Gap, Jamaica Inn, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), The Big Clock, Witness for the Prosecution, Spartacus, and Advise & Consent. He was remarked for his stage work, particularly the works of William Shakespeare at the Old Vic. He also directed the film The Night of the Hunter, and many works on stage.

He was the son of Eliza (Conlon) and Robert Laughton, who were hotel keepers. He was married to British and American actress Elsa Lanchester, until his death. Charles became a U.S. citizen.

Charles’s paternal grandfather was Charles Laughton (the son of Thomas Laughton and Hannah Howes or Ann Wright). Charles’s grandfather Charles was born in Oxfordshire, England.

Charles’s paternal grandmother was Phoebe Elizabeth Farnsworth (the daughter of John Farnsworth and Maria Clarke). Phoebe was born in Nottinghamshire, England.

Charles’s maternal grandfather was named Luke Conlon. Luke was born in Louth, Ireland.

Charles’s maternal grandmother was named Mary McAllister (the daughter of Stewart McAllister and Eliza). Mary was Irish.