Richard Burton

NAME: Richard Burton (born Richard Walter Jenkins Jr.)

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Renowned for his powerful stage presence, deep voice, and his roles in classic films such as Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Cleopatra.

BIRTH: Born on November 10, 1925, in Pontrhydyfen, Wales.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: The twelfth of thirteen children born to Edith Maude Jenkins and Richard Walter Jenkins Sr., a coal miner.

CHILDHOOD: Grew up in a working-class family in Wales. After his mother's death when he was two, he was raised by his older sister, Cecilia, and her husband.

EDUCATION: Attended Port Talbot Secondary School. Showed an early talent for literature and acting, which was nurtured by his schoolteacher, Philip Burton, who later became his legal guardian and mentor. Won a scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, to study acting 

CAREER RECORD: Started his acting career on stage, gaining prominence with performances in Shakespearean plays. Transitioned to film in the 1950s, achieving international fame with roles in My Cousin Rachel (1952), The Robe (1953), Cleopatra (1963), and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966).

APPEARANCE: Known for his striking good looks, Burton was tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair, piercing blue eyes and commanding presence.

Studio publicity photo for 1953 film The Robe.

FASHION: Typically seen in classic, sophisticated attire both on and off-screen, often dressed in tailored suits.

CHARACTER:  Complex. intense, prone to self-destruction, Burton was known for his intellectual depth, passion for his craft, and complex personality.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: Had a sharp, often sardonic wit, appreciated by friends and colleagues.

RELATIONSHIPS:  Most famously married twice to actress Elizabeth Taylor. Their marriages lasted from March 15, 1964, to June 26, 1974, and from October 10, 1975, to July 29, 1976. Their first wedding was at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Montreal, and their second, secret wedding took place at a game park in Botswana.

He made 11 films with Elizabeth Taylor, plus one made-for-TV movie in 1973 entitled Divorce His, Divorce Hers.

In Divorce His, Divorce Hers (1973), his final film with Taylor

Also married to Sybil Williams (1949-1963) and later to Susan Hunt (1976-1982) and Sally Hay (1983 until his death).

MONEY AND FAME: Achieved significant wealth and fame, becoming one of the highest-paid actors of his time, but also faced financial difficulties due to his lavish lifestyle. 

When he died, Burton left an estate worth US$4.58 million mainly consisting of real estate, investments in three countries and works of art.

Burton's on-again, off-again romance was a tabloid editor's dream, a whirlwind of passion, public spats, and enough jewels to blind a dragon.

FOOD AND DRINK: Known for his love of fine dining and notorious for his heavy drinking, which contributed to his health issues.

MUSIC AND ARTS: Passionate about classical music and theater; often attended performances and had a deep appreciation for the arts.

Richard Burton, a man whose voice could melt glaciers and whose appetites were equally impressive, carved out a career as a Shakespearean powerhouse in the 1950s. Remember Kenneth Tynan, the critic? He practically begged Burton to be the next Olivier, the heir apparent to the theatrical throne.

Well, that didn't quite pan out. Some folks grumbled that Burton never quite reached those lofty expectations, and his fondness for the demon drink didn't exactly polish his image of a wasted genius. Still, there's no denying he was one of the best actors of his time.

Academy Awards? Forget about that golden statue. Burton was nominated seven times, but never managed to snag the Best Actor prize. Tough break, considering the films: My Cousin Rachel, The Robe, even that Cold War spy flick The Spy Who Came In from the Cold.  He did manage to snag a Tony Award for belting out tunes as King Arthur in Camelot, though.

By the mid-60s, Burton was a box office goldmine. We're talking mega-bucks, million-dollar paychecks, the whole Hollywood shebang.

LITERATURE: An avid reader with a profound love for literature, particularly poetry and the works of Shakespeare. Burton himself claimed his escape from a hardscrabble Welsh childhood wasn't acting, but books. Apparently, the man devoured a book a day.

From his childhood Burton was an ardent admirer of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.

Burton was widely admired for his command and understanding of English poetry, he taught it for a term at Oxford University in the early 1970s.

Burton once outdid Robert F. Kennedy in a Shakespeare sonnet-quoting contest by reciting a sonnet backward

Elizabeth Taylor once bought Burton a complete set of The Everyman Library as a present. 

NATURE: Burton enjoyed the natural beauty of his native Wales and often spoke fondly of the Welsh landscape.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Burton enjoyed rugby and was a fan of the sport. Also interested in writing and often penned poetry and diaries.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: While not particularly known for an interest in these fields, Burton  possessed a curious and analytical mind.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Burton engaged with philosophical and theological questions, often contemplating the meaning of life and existence.

Burton was an atheist, stating: "I wish I could believe in a God of some kind but I simply cannot."

POLITICS: Burton identified as a socialist and supported various progressive causes, influenced by his working-class background.

SCANDAL: His tumultuous relationships, particularly with Elizabeth Taylor, were a source of constant media scrutiny and public fascination. Their fiery and passionate romance began on the set of Cleopatra in 1963.

MILITARY RECORD: Burton served in the Royal Air Force during World War II as a navigator but did not see combat.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Burton struggled with alcoholism, which severely impacted his health. Suffered from various ailments, including cirrhosis of the liver.

HOMES: Burton lived in various luxurious homes around the world, including properties in Switzerland, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

TRAVEL: He traveled extensively for work and pleasure, often spending time in Europe and the United States.

DEATH: Burton died aged 58 on August 5, 1984, in Céligny, Switzerland, from a cerebral hemorrhage. Although his death was sudden, his health had been declining for several years. Burton was buried at the Old Cemetery ("Vieux Cimetière") of Céligny with a copy of Dylan Thomas's poems.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Featured in numerous films, television programs, and documentaries. His life and career have been the subject of various biographies and retrospectives.

ACHIEVEMENTS: Nominated for seven Academy Awards, won two Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award. Burton is remembered as one of the greatest actors of his generation.