Laurence Olivier

Olivier was born into a severe, confining religious household, presided over by a cleric who moved his family through a number of parish districts. Young Laurence took refuge in play-acting and had played several Shakespearean roles by his mid-teens. So successful was his portrayal of Puck in "A Midsummer's Night Dream" at the School of St. Edward that even his pious father encouraged him to apply to London's Central School of Speech Training …