Rough-hewn British character actor who made his stage debut in 1949 with the RSC and Old Vic and began appearing in films in the mid-1950s, often in war-themed films. Originally typecast in tough, villainous roles such as James Bond's KGB nemesis in the thriller "From Russian With Love" (1963), Shaw proved his versatility with an exuberant, Oscar-nominated performance as Henry VIII in the fine Robert Bolt adaptation, "A Man For All Seasons" (1966). Shaw gained international renown in the 1970s for his curmudgeonly roles in blockbuster hits such as "The Sting" (1973) and as the wily skipper in "Jaws" (1975). An award-winning novelist and respected playwright he also adapted his novel about Adolph Eichman "The Man in the Glass Booth" for the stage and for a 1975 film. His second of three wives was actress Mary Ure.
- Also Credited As:
Robert Archibald Shaw
- Born:
August 9, 1927 in Westhoughton, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom
- Died:
August 28, 1978.
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Job Titles:
Actor, Novelist, Playwright
Education
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Truro School, Cornwall, England
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Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, England
Milestones
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1949 Toured Australia with the Old Vic
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1949 Stage debut with Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford-on-Avon
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1951 London stage acting debut, Caro William
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1955 Film acting debut, The Dambusters
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1956 Appeared in own play, Off the Mainland, at Arts Theatre, London; his first play produced
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1965 Scripted first screenplay, Situation Hopeless, But Not Serious
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1967 Play The Man in the Glass Booth opened in London; based on his book of the same title
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1970 Wrote screenplay, Figures in a Landscape
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1971 Wrote play, Cato Street
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1978 Was about to start shooting film about spy Kim Philby at the time of his death