The British actor Leonard Whiting is familiar to all viewers of the world primarily for the role of Romeo, which made him famous. The triumph was so vivid and powerful that the subsequent few roles could not repeat this success. However, as you know, a talented person is talented in everything. L. Whiting, possessing dramatic talent and outstanding vocal abilities, still works hard and also teaches, lectures at various educational institutions around the world. And more recently, he again starred in a film project by a British director, and his partner was none other than O. Hussey (Juliet).
Leonard whiting: biography
The future actor was born into an average English family in the London area of Islington. Leonard's mother worked in a telephone factory, and his father worked as a simple loader. The family was deeply religious, in connection with this, his son studied at a Catholic college. He was successful in studies, of all school subjects he loved English and world literature, history and religion most of all. His career began as a singer. A truly angelic voice (the first soprano) gathered a lot of parishioners in the church and their rave reviews. It is not surprising that Leonard Whiting (photo above) linked the further creative path with musicals. The outstanding talent of the boy did his job, and he became the youngest member of the National Theater. As part of the troupe, he went on an impressive tour in many cities in Europe, including Moscow and Berlin.
The role of Romeo
After his three-month audition with director Franco Zeffirelli, Leonard was approved for his debut and star role by more than three hundred applicants. Subsequently, the actor said that this was not just a film for him. It was not even a role, but a state of mind, a naked heart, a sharpness of perception, which he sought to give to the whole world. Maybe that is why the film is so convincing and has become a real classic of world cinema.
And the eminent director Franco Zeffirelli noted that Leonard Whiting with his appearance was ideally suited for the role of Romeo in love. Of all the applicants, this was the most beautiful, graceful and agile young man.
“Romeo and Juliet” - a story of eternal love
Absolutely everyone knows that the film was shot based on the play of the same name by William Shakespeare. The work is included in the school curriculum in many countries of the world, and as a visual material, students are shown a film adaptation of 1968, as the most outstanding and close to the original in the text. The plot focuses on two still very young representatives of the warring families - Montecchi and Capulet. They were destined to fall in love with each other, but many years of hostility led to tragedy.
This was the first large-scale adaptation of the play, in which the actors are very close to the movie characters by age. Leonard was 18 years old, and young Olivia Cassi was only 16. Few people know that Lawrence Olivier reads the text in the picture from the author.
As Leonard Whiting admitted, he was in love with his partner, but the distance prevented the development of relations (he lived in England, and she in America) and work, proposals about which young actors who woke up famous, rained down from all sides.
The film was awarded with prizes, including two gold Oscars and three Golden Globes.
After participating in the legendary film L. Whiting starred in seven more films, but they no longer had such a stunning success, and gradually he moved away from the acting profession.
Leonard Whiting: filmography
- The series "Love Story", in which the actor played a cameo role. This is one of the first works before meeting with F. Zeffirelli.
- "The Royal Hunt for the Sun." An adventure film about a detachment of fearless and profitable mercenaries who went to the New World for gold. Their campaign will be one of the bloodiest in history. Leonard Whiting plays a major role.
- "In war as in war." A charming adventure comedy about a young soldier of the First World War and his adventures, love for the daughter of a Russian general and marriage to her. Humor, excellent directorial work and brilliant cast make the film a must-see. Unfortunately, she did not receive mass recognition.
- "Frankenstein: a true story" - the film is a film adaptation of the novel of the same name by M. Shelley about a young scientist, a doctor. Having plunged headlong into experiments with the human body, he creates a creature unknown to modern science. In the photo - shots from the film.
- “Rachel's Man” is a film little known to the general public, where L. Whiting plays the episodic role of Jacob.
- The series "Stone of Dreams." A cartoon project that lasted for 5 seasons, but the actor took part in the dubbing of only the first.
- “Social Suicide” is the novelty of the current year, the project was created by a British director. The premiere took place on screens in March. The expected film, which is a modern interpretation of the history of Romeo and Juliet. It is noteworthy that the performers of these roles of the 1968 version, L. Whiting and O. Hassi, joined the work (a joint photo is below). The actor’s tandem, formed many years ago, this time plays the role of the parents of modern Juliet. Among other things, they are close friends and communicate since the time of their first joint filming.
Personal life
The actor has two sisters. He first married in 1971, at the age of 21, of the famous fashion model Katie Daman. The marriage of young people did not last long - six years. During this time, the daughter of Sarah appeared in the family. Almost twenty years after the divorce, Leonard Whiting remarried (in 1995). This time his choice fell on his manager Lynn Presser, a couple together to this day. The actor also has a second daughter - Charlotte, who, being brought up in a theatrical family, herself absorbed the spirit of creativity and became a famous director. Sarah was a specialist in the field of computer design, it was she who helped her father and became the author of the information booklet for the disc with the fairy tale "Charlie's Dream." Unfortunately, the family of the actor suffered grief in 2014, Sarah died of a serious illness. She has three children left. In addition to grandchildren, the actor has godchildren.
What is he doing now?
After completing his career in cinema, the actor Leonard Whiting, whose biography knew the highest rise and fame, went into a more calm swimming. Now he is working hard on producing and creating various kinds of projects for a children's audience. In addition, he is engaged in music, which once gave an impetus to his career, and literary work.
In 2009, L. Whiting released the first disc with his own fairy tale called Charlie's Dream. The text on the disc is read by Peter Ustinov.
The work of the great W. Shakespeare had a great influence on Leonardo, and now, years after the dizzying success of the film "Romeo and Juliet," he does not part with the work of his beloved poet. As a professor, Leonard actively teaches Shakespearean drama, organizes master classes and lectures at universities and theater schools around the world.
Leonard Whiting, no doubt, was born under a lucky star. A bright take-off glorified him in world cinema and gave millions of fans. And to this day, he transfers an irrepressible thirst for creativity and boundless talent to his students.