Oliver Reed

• Actor

Oliver Reed (1938–1999) was an English actor renowned for his intense performances and notorious off-screen behavior. Born Robert Oliver Reed on February 13, 1938, in Wimbledon, Surrey, he was the grandson of actor-manager Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and the nephew of director Sir Carol Reed. Reed began his acting career in the late 1950s, initially appearing in Hammer Horror films. His breakthrough came with the role of Bill Sikes in the 1968 film Oliver!, directed by his uncle. The film won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and Reed's performance was widely acclaimed. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Reed became known for his roles in films such as Women in Love (1969), where he famously wrestled nude with Alan Bates, The Devils (1971), The Three Musketeers (1973), The Four Musketeers (1974), and The Brood (1979). He also portrayed the title character in Tommy (1975) and appeared in The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988). In 1995, Reed starred in Funny Bones, earning critical praise for his performance. Reed's final film role was as Antonius Proximo in Ridley Scott's Gladiator (2000). He died on May 2, 1999, from a heart attack in Valletta, Malta, during a break from filming. Reports indicated that he had been drinking heavily with a group of Royal Navy sailors before collapsing. Despite his on-screen success, Reed's personal life was marked by controversy. He was known for his heavy drinking and unruly behavior, which often led to conflicts on film sets. A biography titled What Fresh Lunacy Is This? by Robert Sellers details numerous incidents of Reed's disruptive actions, including physical altercations and public drunkenness. Oliver Reed's legacy is a complex one, characterized by his powerful performances and tumultuous personal life. He remains a memorable figure in British cinema history.

Person History

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• Movies

Gladiator 2000

2000

Gladiator 2000

2000